The kitchen door swung shut behind Devon with a soft whoosh, sealing him into the opulent heart of the Voss household, a space that blended modern luxury with timeless warmth. Marble countertops gleamed under recessed lighting, veined in subtle gold, while a massive island dominated the center, topped with a cutting board still dusted from earlier preparations.
Copper pots hung from a wrought-iron rack overhead, catching the light like burnished jewels, and the faint aroma of roasted herbs lingered, mingling with the sharper tang of fresh citrus from a half-sliced lemon nearby.
A window above the sink overlooked the twilight garden, where fireflies were beginning to flicker like errant stars, but Devon barely noticed. His focus sharpened on the figure standing at the counter, her back to him, one hand braced against the cool stone as if it were the only thing anchoring her.
