NEW BEGINNING

CHAPTER 20

ANNA

The next morning, I wake up to a house that feels too quiet, too still. The weight of yesterday hangs heavily in the air, and I don’t move for a moment, staring up at the ceiling. It takes a few seconds to remember where I am—Lola’s guest room.

I pull myself out of bed, every movement slow and heavy. The sunlight filters weakly through the curtains, casting a dull glow on the walls. It doesn’t feel like a new day; it feels like a continuation of the one before, as if time is stuck in the same endless loop of grief.

I shuffle to the bathroom, splash cold water on my face, and stare at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are puffy, red-rimmed, and exhausted. I barely recognize the person looking back at me. It’s like I’ve aged years in a day.

When I finally step into the hallway, I hear the faint clinking of dishes coming from the kitchen. Lola’s already up, of course—she’s always been the early riser, the one who keeps things together. The smell of coffee drifts throug