When Adrian returned to the room, the lights were dim.
The first thing he noticed was the silence.
The second was Raya.
She was curled up on the couch, wrapped tightly in the duvet like a cocoon, her entire body turned away from the door. Only a mess of her hair peeked out from beneath the covers.
Still.
Too still.
"Raya?" Adrian called.
No response.
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice lower now.
Silence answered him again.
Is she… crying?
The thought unsettled him more than it should have.
Adrian crossed the room in long strides and stopped beside the couch. For a moment, he hesitated. Then he reached out and lightly touched the duvet.
"Can you leave me alone?" Raya snapped suddenly, yanking the cover down from her head.
Her eyes were red.
Not swollen. Not dramatic.
Just… tired. Sharp. Guarded.
Adrian straightened immediately, withdrawing his hand.
"What's your problem?" he asked, his tone cool, defensive.
