Chapter 23

Lauren's POV

I woke up just in time, blinking slowly as the ceiling came into view. There was no alarm clock here to jolt me out of sleep, and if I had slept any longer, Elena would have missed school. My hand reached out automatically to the nightstand, fumbling for my phone. When the screen lit up, it showed 5:30 a.m.

Quite early, some might say — but given how long it usually took me to get Elena’s things in order, it felt like the perfect time.

I carefully slipped out of bed, trying not to make a sound. Elena was still wrapped up in the blanket, and I didn’t want to wake her just yet. For a moment, I stood there, my heart clenched a little at the thought of what I’d dragged her into. But I forced the guilt back. There would be time to unpack that later — right now, she needed breakfast, her school uniform, and her lunchbox ready to go.

Quietly, I opened the door and stepped into the living room, still dim in the early morning light. My pl