Chapter 9

Kat's POV

I hesitated for just a second, then stepped inside.

My breath caught in my throat.

The room was beautiful.

It wasn’t huge, but it was perfect. The walls were a soft dusty rose color, and the bed in the center of the room was neatly made with fluffy white sheets and a warm beige blanket folded at the foot. There were plump pillows stacked against the headboard and a soft rug underfoot that made me wiggle my toes even in my shoes.

To the left was a desk beside a wide window, and outside, I could see the tops of the trees in the distance, swaying gently in the wind. A small potted plant sat on the desk, adding a bit of life to the space.

“This is your room,” Cindy said kindly. “If you need anything at all, just find me or one of the omegas. We’ll help.”

I nodded slowly, still overwhelmed by how thoughtful everything felt. I turned to her just as she was about to leave.

“Wait,” I said. “What’s your name?”

She turned back with a friendly smile. “Cindy.”

“Thank you, Cindy,” I said honestly.

“You’re welcome,” she replied and quietly closed the door behind her.

I was alone now. I stood there for a few minutes, just looking around. It felt so peaceful, so safe, and it made me a little emotional. I wasn’t used to this kind of kindness or comfort.

I slowly began walking around the room, running my fingers over the surface of the wooden desk, then over the frame of the bed. Everything was neat and tidy. There was a soft chair beside a reading lamp, a mirror standing in the corner, and even a small dresser.

Then I spotted the closet.

Curious, I walked over and opened the door. As soon as I saw what was inside, I gasped.

There were clothes. Not just a few old clothes thrown together, but a full wardrobe. Dresses, jeans, shirts, even pajamas and jackets. Everything looked clean, new, and—most surprising of all—my size.

My hands reached out on their own, brushing over a light pink sweater. The fabric was soft, and I couldn’t help but smile a little. There were even shoes at the bottom of the closet. Boots, sneakers, sandals. It was like someone had taken the time to think of what I’d need… and what I’d like.

Tears stung the back of my eyes, but I blinked them away.

I stepped into the bathroom, and my eyes widened as I took in the sight. It was bigger than I had expected, with shining white tiles covering the walls and floor. The warm yellow light from the overhead lamp gave everything a soft, cozy glow. The room smelled fresh, almost like lavender and eucalyptus, and the air was thick with the promise of a soothing, much-needed moment of peace.

I quickly closed the door behind me, feeling the weight of the world outside start to slip away with each passing second. I ran my fingers over the smooth surface of the sink, noticing the neat towels stacked on the counter. Everything was so… perfect. So organized.

I turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature until it was just right—warm enough to wrap around me like a comforting blanket. The sound of water hitting the tiles was calming, almost like a lullaby, and I felt my tense shoulders begin to relax.

As I undressed, I couldn’t help but glance at myself in the mirror. My reflection showed a girl who had been through so much—eyes tired, shoulders slumped, and hair a tangled mess from stress. But I was also someone who had made it this far, even if I didn’t know what came next.

I stepped into the shower with a soft sigh, the heat of the water hitting my skin instantly, soothing the knots that had settled there. The sensation was like a release, the tension melting away with every droplet that fell. I let the water cascade over me, closing my eyes for a moment to fully immerse myself in the feeling.

The warm water rushed down my body, tracing over the curves of my skin, washing away the dirt and exhaustion from the day. I tilted my head back, letting the water flow over my hair and face, the droplets mixing with the tears I hadn’t realized I had been holding back. It wasn’t sadness, not exactly, but something else—a feeling of relief that came from finally being able to take care of myself in a way I hadn’t been able to for a long time.

I reached for the shampoo, the scent of it filling the space with something floral, clean. I massaged it into my scalp, the rich lather sliding through my hair. It felt like a small luxury I hadn’t realized I needed until now. My fingers worked through the strands, untangling them as I let the water rinse everything away.

The shampoo was followed by conditioner, and I took extra care, ensuring each strand of hair was coated, making sure I could feel the smoothness as I ran my fingers through it. The scent of the products seemed to linger on my skin, wrapping around me in a soft, almost comforting embrace.

With every minute that passed, I felt like I was slowly returning to myself, peeling away all the layers of stress, fear, and uncertainty that had built up in me over the past few days. I stood there, letting the water run over me for longer than I probably should have, but I didn’t care. The pressure of the world outside seemed miles away, like I was in a different space altogether.

Finally, when I felt like I had washed away every last bit of tension, I turned off the shower, the sudden silence almost startling. The bathroom was fogged up, the steam swirling around me as I stepped out onto the soft bath mat.

I reached for one of the towels, rubbing it gently over my body. The fabric was plush and warm, enveloping me in comfort as I dried off, taking my time as I wrapped it around myself. The cool air of the room hit my damp skin, but it was refreshing, a contrast to the hot water I’d just enjoyed.

I stood there for a moment, my hand resting on the edge of the sink as I gazed at myself in the mirror. The girl who stared back at me looked a little more put together than before. Her eyes still held that tiredness, but there was something different now—something calmer, more grounded.

I smiled faintly at my reflection, not out of joy, but as if I was finally starting to accept the fact that I was still here. Still fighting. I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but for now, I was okay. I felt stronger, more capable. Like I could face whatever came my way.

With a deep breath, I stepped back into the bedroom, feeling lighter than I had in days. My mind was clearer now, my body no longer heavy with exhaustion. The warm glow of the room welcomed me back, and I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of peace, like I was exactly where I was supposed to be—at least for the moment.