53

Eira's pov

The sun filtered softly through the garden trees, casting long shadows on the flagstones. A warm breeze stirred the lavender bushes, their scent floating through the air like a balm. For once, there were no alarms, no gunshots, no whispers of betrayal. Just stillness.

Kira sat beside me on the stone bench, her eyes fixed on the small pond ahead, watching dragonflies skim the surface. She hadn't spoken in ten minutes. Not a word. Just silence, like the weight of her past was heavier than the air we breathed.

I waited. Sometimes silence was the only language pain understood.

Then, finally, her voice broke through like glass shattering.

"I didn't know who I was anymore, Eira. He made sure of that."

I turned to her slowly. Her hands were trembling in her lap.

"Marcus?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.