Lies and Truth

A wave of dizziness washed over Blair, the world around her dissolving into a dizzying swirl of colors and shadows. In her dream, Victor's voice had been a soothing balm, a promise of safety and protection, but as her eyes fluttered open, the dream faded, replaced by the harsh reality of the waking world. Victor sat in the armchair by the window, his gaze fixed on her, a book resting in his lap. His presence, once a source of comfort, now felt like a weight on her chest, a reminder of the secrets that hung between them.

The insistent hum of the refrigerator, a constant reminder of the city that never truly slept, pulsed through the room, grounding her, pulling her back to the present. She tried to focus, to piece together the fragmented memories of the previous night, but her mind felt sluggish, her thoughts like molasses.

"You're awake." Victor's voice, low and husky, broke the silence, sending a shiver down her spine.