Josie
I couldn't hold the tears back.
The moment I stepped inside and saw the hall… it felt like the floor beneath my feet disappeared. My vision blurred, my chest tightened. My name was everywhere—woven into delicate banners, spelled out in shimmering silver against a backdrop of twinkling lights. Soft music filled the air, a melody I vaguely recognized as one I'd once hummed on the balcony. Candles floated midair, and soft petals lined the floor like a garden in bloom.
"Welcome home, Josie."
That was what the huge banner above the fireplace read.
I broke down.
Completely.
No one had ever done something like this for me. No one had ever made me feel like I belonged, like I mattered. The entire room glowed with the warmth of it, the effort, the care. It was overwhelming. I felt like I couldn't breathe from how hard I was crying. I was sobbing so hard I nearly dropped to the floor, but then Varen's arms were around me, catching me just in time.
