The night stretched on, and as the fire crackled softly in the background, Eliza leaned her head against Vaughn's shoulder, her eyes growing heavy with the exhaustion of the day. Vaughn wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, his touch protective and reassuring.
"Rest now," he whispered, his voice soothing. "We'll face tomorrow together."
Eliza nodded, her eyes drifting closed as she allowed herself to surrender to the safety of the moment.
When Eliza woke up the next morning, the first thing she noticed was the absence of Vaughn beside her. The space next to her on the bed was cold, the sheets neatly tucked as if he had never been there. She sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she glanced around the room. Sunlight filtered through the heavy drapes, casting a warm glow on the luxurious surroundings.
