Chapter 5 Elysia woke before dawn

Elysia woke before dawn, her body stiff from holding Leon through the night. She had meant to place him in the crib hours ago, but every time she tried, something inside her resisted. Now, as the soft glow of morning seeped through the curtains, she found herself still cradling him, her heartbeat syncing with his gentle breaths.

She barely had a moment to gather herself before she felt the weight of Cassian's gaze.

He was still there.

Sitting in the same chair, in the same position-except now, there was a cup of coffee in his hand, and the shadows beneath his eyes had deepened.

Had he even slept?

Elysia carefully shifted, easing Leon onto the bed beside her. He didn't stir.

She ran a hand through her tangled hair and finally met Cassian's stare. "You don't have to keep watching me."

Cassian sipped his coffee, unbothered. "I don't trust you."

Her fingers curled into the sheets. "Trust me? You're the one who showed up at my door in the middle of the night, demanding I take care of a child that isn't mine."

His jaw tightened. "If I had another choice, I wouldn't be here."

The words cut deeper than they should have.

Elysia forced a bitter laugh. "You always have choices, Cassian."

He didn't respond.

The silence between them stretched, thick with unresolved history. The past clawed at her, memories she had buried threatening to surface.

She pushed them down.

Instead, she stood, stretching out her sore limbs before turning back to the man who had once shattered her. "I need a shower."

Cassian gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. "Take your time."

Elysia didn't know why his words unsettled her. Maybe because they were too calm. Too careful.

Like he was waiting for her to do something.

She hesitated only a second before stepping into the bathroom and locking the door behind her.

By the time she emerged, freshly dressed in an oversized sweater and leggings, Cassian was gone.

For a moment, she thought maybe he had left for good. But then she spotted the note on the kitchen counter, next to a fresh cup of coffee.

I'll be back. Don't go anywhere.

She scoffed, crumpling the note in her fist.

Arrogant bastard.

Her gaze flickered to the coffee. She debated ignoring it, but the exhaustion pressing into her bones won. With a reluctant sigh, she picked up the cup and took a sip.

It was exactly how she liked it.

Damn him.

Shaking off the unease curling in her stomach, she turned back toward the bedroom, where Leon was still sound asleep.

For now, everything was quiet.

But Elysia knew better than to believe it would stay that way.

Because Cassian never left without a reason.

And when he came back-

Everything would change.