**A New Beginning**The morning sun streamed gently through the windows of the little cottage, casting warm patches of light across the wooden floor. Lillian awoke to the familiar scent of coffee brewing, and a sleepy smile crept onto her face. She stretched, feeling the soft sheets against her skin, savoring the warmth of the bed. The world outside was quiet, as if it, too, was slowly waking up to the promise of a new day.She sat up, rubbing her eyes, and noticed Nicholas’s side of the bed was empty. She wasn’t surprised; he had taken to rising early, preparing their morning coffee, and bringing her small moments of peace that she cherished more than anything. She wrapped herself in a blanket and padded out to the kitchen, where she found him standing by the window, a steaming mug in his hand, lost in thought as he looked out over the garden.When he sensed her presence, he turned, his face breaking into a soft smile. “Good morning, love,” he murmured, holding out a mug of coffee to
Read more