Chapter 56

Sophia

Tonight, something feels different.

I shift slightly, trying to shake off the feeling, but it only grows stronger, more insistent.

I am caught in that place between waking and sleeping when I feel it—a presence. I feel someone running their hand over my face, the feather-light touch tracing the contours of my face and then running their finger along with my lips.

But then, suddenly, the feeling is gone.

My eyes fly open, heart pounding in my chest.

I strain my senses, listening for any sound, any movement, but there is nothing. Just silence. I try to convince myself it's my imagination, a trick of my mind, but I know better because I can feel him. I can still feel someone's touch on my skin... a touch which feels so familiar.

A scent that I can recognize anywhere is wafting through the room along with the breeze.

I know the feel of eyes watching me, the weight of someone's gaze in the darkness.

Slowly, I turn my head, scanning the room. At first, I see nothing, just the familia