Chapter 36

ETHAN

I shifted slightly, being careful not to wake her up, the remnants of a restless night lingered at the edges of my consciousness. Olivia lay beside me, her breathing steady and peaceful, the faint rise and fall of her form was enough for me. At least one of us had a good night of sleep.

Careful not to disturb her, I slipped out of bed, my footsteps quiet as I made my way to the en-suite bathroom. The cool water from the shower helped clear my mind, washing away the remnants of the night’s tossing and turning. I dressed in my work suit, telling myself it had to be a good day.

Exiting the room, I made my way downstairs, the aroma of brewing coffee luring me toward the kitchen. Mrs. King greeted me with a warm smile as she poured a steaming cup, her gaze assessing me with a knowing glint.

“Good morning, Ethan. You look like you could use some of my special brew today,” she remarked, her voice laced with concern.

I accepted the cup with a nod of grati