The cottage was silent as Lily sat alone at the small wooden table by the window, her fingers wrapped tightly around a mug of tea that had long gone cold. Outside, the forest stretched endlessly in every direction, she turned towards the window and sighed deeply. The trees only made the place look as secluded as it was. It made her think of life beyond here, of things she missed, of people she missed. How would her life have been if she was with Ava... What could she have done differently, what if she hadn't listened to Scott. She gave her head a little shake to remind herself of what she had to protect.
Normally, the solitude soothed her. Normally, this place felt like a refuge, far removed from the noise, lies, and complications of the world she had once belonged to, away from Vance. This was supposed to be safe here, she was supposed to feel safe like she had been the past year... She turned towards the trees and watched as the wind swayed them.
