Alicia opened her eyes slowly, her vision hazy, disoriented by the strange brightness that met her. For a fleeting moment, she thought it was morning, that the golden sun had risen in all its brilliance, washing the world in its warmth. But as she blinked away the remnants of sleep, the light before her sharpened, revealing itself to be artificial—harsh and sterile, nothing like the gentle glow of dawn.
Confusion wrapped around her like a thick fog as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. The familiar hum of the engine was gone, replaced by the steady murmur of voices outside. The seat beneath her was reclined, positioned in a way that allowed her to sleep somewhat comfortably. Had Adrien done that? The thought sent an unexpected flutter through her chest, but she quickly dismissed it. He was too cold, too distant. He wouldn't have done such a thing. Would he?
