The living room glowed with a soft, amber warmth, the chandelier dimmed to a gentle flicker, casting intricate shadows across the plush sofas and the polished hardwood floor.
Devon and Serena had migrated from the dining room, their laughter trailing them like a melody, settling into the deep cushions of a corner sofa. The air was thick with the scent of candle wax and the lingering notes of Marianne's orchids, but it was their shared history that filled the space, wrapping them in a cocoon of nostalgia and unspoken longing. Ethan sat across from them in a high-backed armchair, his posture rigid, his eyes fixed on the pair with a mix of resentment and resignation, his wine glass untouched on the side table.
