Part of me wants to wait. To slow down. To investigate every corner, look up the owner, figure out the catch.
But the other part of me?
The other part wants to fall into that bed and not get up for a week.
Maybe it’s finally my turn to be lucky.
I sign the documents, and just like that, she gives me the key, turns around, and leaves.
I don’t think. I just run after her. Down the stairs, coughing halfway as Viviana and Kian call out my name. I catch up, grab her arm.
“What’s the catch?”
The woman gasps, startled, but then she smiles. “The owner saw the news. You and that family that lost everything… he decided to help. You with this apartment and the family with another one across the city. Affordable, so you can build your lives back up.” She speaks with kindness. A little sorrow too.
I let her go, whisper a thank you.
Okay… that explains it.
Although the decor matching my exact taste still feels a little dodgy, but maybe not. That cottagecore look is trendy now, so who knows.
Walking back up, Kian stands at the door, arms crossed, muscles pulling his suit jacket just enough to make me realize again how in shape these guys all are.
“Are you okay?” Viviana asks.
I nod. “I am. I just can’t believe I found a place.”
My voice holds, but my hands shake, and Viviana steps in, pulling me into a hug.
“Do you want to stay?”
I mumble a yes into her shoulder, tears slipping even though I try to hold them back.
“I don’t like the idea of leaving you here, alone, just yet,” Viviana says.
“She’s safe here, it’s a nice street and the building is secure.” Kian gives a ghost of a smile.
“I’ll be fine, you can visit tomorrow, if you want.” I give her a confident stare. “I need this, please.”
Viviana stares at me and finally agrees.
“I’ll have Connor bring you the car,” Kian says, waving goodbye before they both leave.
I look around at my new home, I didn’t have much at the Callaghans’ estate, just a small bag with a few things Viviana brought me after I left the hospital.
I lock the door and sit on the couch.
Four days since the fire, and I found a place. The perfect place.
Now I need to get a camera and a computer, something to start working again, to make money.
I managed to save two thousand, but that won’t last long. I need to move fast.
I grab my phone, my new phone, the one Viviana gave me and refused to let me pay for, and search for secondhand listings. Cameras, laptops. Even used, they’re expensive.
I should panic, but I look around instead. I’m alive, not hurt or burnt. I have a roof over my head, and not just any roof, this one feels like hope.
I can do this. I will do this.
