AI The neon sign flickered above the door, a stubborn green pulse that seemed to sync with the low thrum of the city outside. The Raven's Nest was a pocket of dim light in the heart of Soho, its walls draped with faded maps of wartime Europe and black‑and‑white photographs of strangers who had once walked these same streets. The bar was a long, polished oak slab, its surface scarred by the countless hands that had leaned on it over the years. A brass signet ring glinted on the right hand of the man behind it, catching the amber glow of the overhead lamps.
Aurora Carter stood at the threshold, the city’s rain slicking the cobblestones at her feet. She had been delivering a tray of dim sum for Yu‑Fei Cheung’s Golden Empress restaurant, the usual route that took her past the bar she’d grown to love for its quiet refuge. The rain had turned the street into a mirror, reflecting the neon sign’s green pulse back at her, a reminder that time had a way of repeating itself in the most unexpected places.
Her shoulder‑length black hair was damp, clinging to her scalp, and her bright blue eyes scanned the room with a practiced detachment. The small crescent‑shaped scar on her left wrist—an old reminder of a childhood accident—was now a faint line, barely visible beneath the thin layer of rainwater that had run down her forearm. She had learned to ignore it, to let it be a silent witness to the choices she’d made.
The bar was empty, save for a lone regular who was nursing a glass of whiskey, his fingers tracing the rim as if trying to read the story of the liquid inside . Aurora slipped the tray onto the bar, the clatter of plates echoing like a distant drum. She glanced up, and the world seemed to tilt just enough for her to see him.
Silas Blackwood stood behind the bar, his grey‑streaked auburn hair falling in a loose, disciplined cascade over his forehead. His hazel eyes were sharp, reflecting the dim light with a hint of melancholy. He moved with a slight limp in his left leg, a reminder of the old knee injury that had once cost him a career in MI6. His neatly trimmed beard matched the hue of his hair, and a silver signet ring—always on his right hand—caught the light as he turned to face the newcomer.
The man had a presence that was both familiar and foreign. The weight of his shoulders had settled, the stoic posture of a retired operative softened by the years spent behind the bar. He wore a simple shirt, the collar slightly rumpled, and his hands were stained with the dark, oily residue of countless drinks poured and taken.
Silas’s gaze lingered on the scar on Aurora’s wrist, a fleeting moment that seemed to bridge the decades between them . He remembered the days when they were both young, when their lives had been intertwined by the narrow streets of Cardiff and the shared dreams of a future that seemed inevitable . He remembered the way she’d always been cool‑headed , intelligent, and quick to think outside the box. He remembered the way she’d always been there for him, even when the world around them seemed to crumble.
“Rory,” he said, his voice low and resonant, as if the words were filtered through the years. “It’s been a long time.”
The name slipped out of her mouth like a forgotten lullaby. She turned her head, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Silas?” she replied, her voice a mix of surprise and something else—an ache that had been dormant, waiting for the right moment to surface.
Silas smiled, a small, almost imperceptible curve of his lips. “You’ve changed,” he observed, his gaze flicking to the scar on her wrist. “You’re still the same bright‑blue‑eye girl, but you’ve got… something else now.”
She laughed, a short, clipped sound that seemed to echo off the walls . “I’ve got a life,” she said, gesturing to the tray of dim sum. “I’ve got a job, a flat above your bar. I’ve got… a story.”
Silas’s eyes softened, and for a moment he seemed to be looking at her through a different lens. “And what story is that?” he asked, his tone gentle but probing. “One that’s been written in the margins of this city, or one that’s been etched into your very bones?”
She took a step forward, the rain dripping from her hair in a slow, steady rhythm. “It’s a story of escape,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “Of leaving behind the abuse, the ex, the weight of expectations. Of finding a place where I could be myself, even if it was just a delivery person for a restaurant.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “I remember the abuse,” he said, his voice low . “I remember the ex. I remember the weight of expectations. I remember the way you’d always been there, even when the world around us seemed to crumble.”
The silence that fell between them was thick, heavy with unspoken regret. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“Silas,” she said, her voice trembling slightly . “Why did you stay? Why did you keep this place running? Why did you let the past become a part of you?”
Silas’s shoulders sagged, and he let out a breath that seemed to carry the weight of a lifetime. “I stayed because I needed a place,” he said, his voice rough with the memory of old wounds . “I needed a place where I could be myself, even if it was just a bar owner. I needed a place where I could keep the past at bay, even if it was just a hidden back room.”
He gestured to the bookshelf that lined the back wall, a door that led to a secret room used for clandestine meetings. “I kept this place running because it’s a front for a network of contacts,” he said, his eyes flicking to the hidden door . “I kept this place running because it’s a place where I can keep the past at bay, even if it’s just a hidden back room.”
Aurora nodded, her eyes lingering on the signet ring that glinted on his right hand. The ring was a reminder of the weight of time, of the unspoken regret that had been carried for years. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the low hum of the bar. “I’m sorry for leaving you behind. I’m sorry for not being there when you needed me.”
Silas’s eyes softened, and for a moment he seemed to be looking at her through a different lens. “It’s not your fault,” he said, his voice gentle . “It’s not my fault. It’s not yours. It’s not mine. It’s not ours.”
The silence that fell between them was thick, heavy with unspoken regret. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable , “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
“We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .
We’re all just people,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
Silas nodded, his expression unreadable . “We’re all just people,” he said, his voice low . “We’re all just people who’ve been hurt, who’ve been left behind, who’ve been forced to keep the past at bay.”
The rain fell harder, the drops of water clinging to the cobblestones like a reminder of the weight of time. Aurora could feel the weight of the years pressing down on her, like the rain that had turned the cobblestones into a mirror. She could see the way Silas’s eyes lingered on her scar, as if trying to read the story of the choices she’d made .