Chapter 1062

The morning light filtered through the wooden slats of the treehouse, casting soft golden lines across the floor where dust motes floated lazily. Jude stirred slowly, the scent of the forest, of old wood and sun-warmed moss, thick in the air. He rolled onto his side, listening to the faint hum of birdsong beyond the windows, the gentle rustling of leaves. The bed was empty beside him. Rose was gone. His heart stuttered for a second before he heard footsteps above, followed by soft laughter. He pushed himself up, rubbing sleep from his eyes as he stood, shirtless and warm, stretching his arms as he glanced out the window toward the garden below.