Chapter Sixty-Four: The Walls She Chooses to Build

The room hadn't changed.

The curtains were still pulled the same way.

The scent of lavender still lingered faintly in the air.

Her bed—just as soft, just as familiar, just as much hers as it had ever been.

And yet—something felt off.

Chloe stared at the ceiling, fingers tightening slightly against the sheets beneath her, exhaustion pressing deep into her bones.

The day had been long.

Too long.

And she wanted peace.

Just a moment to settle.

Just a second to breathe.

Just one night where nothing weighed against her chest.

But peace felt impossible when she collided with Kian.

Her jaw clenched.

The memory of earlier still burned at the edge of her thoughts, sharp and unwanted.

He had hurt her.

Not physically.

Not intentionally.

But his presence, his words, his existence against hers—every interaction left a mark she didn't ask for.

And now, lying in the bed she missed, in the home she fought to reclaim, she knew there was only one choice to make.

Avoid him.

At all costs.

Not out of fear.

Not out of defeat.

But because she deserved her peace.

And as long as she collided with him, she would never truly have it.

Chloe inhaled slowly, turning onto her side, pressing her cheek into

the pillow.

Tomorrow, she would move forward.

Tomorrow, she would build the walls necessary to keep him at a distance.

Tomorrow, she would reclaim her space completely.

Tonight?

She would let exhaustion take her.

Because for now, that was enough.