Zoe's POV
The light came first before the shame.
Soft and Intrusive.
Slipping through the curtains in thin golden lines that landed directly on my face.
I winced, my brows pulling together as I turned slightly, trying to escape it. My hand came up instinctively, brushing over my face as I let out a slow breath.
The air felt… different.
Warmer.
There was a scent—something deep and comforting, unfamiliar yet oddly soothing. It wrapped around me in a way that made me want to sink deeper into the bed.
The pillow beneath my cheek was softer than usual. Even Fluffier. I exhaled into it, eyes still closed, letting myself linger in that fragile space between sleep and consciousness before instinct kicked in.
I reached blindly toward where my nightstand should have been, searching for my small clock as usual every morning. But there was nothing.
My fingers reached out, only to meet the coolness of empty space.
Confusion furrowed my brows together.
This wasn't right.
