Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains Isabella had forgotten to close completely. Liam blinked awake, the events of the previous night rushing back to him. The flash drive felt like it was burning against his skin where he'd concealed it.
Isabella was already up, the sounds of her moving around in the kitchen below drifting up to the bedroom. Liam sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair, the weight of his planned deception settling heavily on his shoulders.
'I need to get to Seraphina,' he thought. 'But first, I need a convincing reason to leave without raising suspicion.'
He made his way downstairs, following the scent of the aroma. Isabella stood by the counter in silk pajamas, her hair pulled back in a messy bun that somehow made her look even more beautiful. She smiled when she saw him.
"Good morning," she said, sliding a mug of coffee toward him. "I was wondering when you'd join the land of the living."
