A Crown of Ashes (Whychoose Romance)

9.New Faces, New Realities

(Lila's POV)

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting warm rays across the room. I blinked awake, taking a moment to remember where I was. The soft quilt draped over me and the faint smell of wood made the memories from the day before flood back—Aiden, the Reapers, and the realization that I wasn't with Isaac anymore.

Sitting up slowly, I let my eyes roam over the room. The space was surprisingly cozy. The furniture looked well-worn, and the walls were painted in warm earth tones that made the house feel lived in. I wasn't in some cold, sterile safe house like I'd imagined—I was in a place that felt... homey.

Still, the unease in my stomach remained. Everything in my life had been carefully controlled, and now, even though the house didn't seem dangerous, I had no idea what to expect. Trust wasn't something that came easy. I had to stay guarded.

A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts, and I tensed. The door creaked open, and a girl stepped in. She couldn't have been much older than me, but her smile was so bright and easy that it made me pause.

"Hey! You're up," she said, carrying a tray. "I brought you some breakfast. Isabella thought you might be hungry."

I stared at her, unsure of how to respond. Her energy was so different from anyone I'd met in this world—it threw me off.

"I'm Teresa, by the way," she continued, setting the tray on the small table by the bed. "Isabella's younger sister. Don't let her fool you—she can be intense, but she means well."

Isabella's younger sister? I couldn't picture it. Isabella had been so cold, so calculating when we spoke yesterday. But Teresa's smile and easy demeanor seemed genuine.

"Thanks," I mumbled, looking at the tray. Toast, eggs, and orange juice. Simple, but I hadn't realized how hungry I was until now.

"No problem," Teresa said, sitting cross-legged in the chair across from me, like she planned to stay. "How are you feeling? I know everything's a lot right now."

I hesitated, not sure how much I should say. "I'm... okay, I guess. It's just a lot to take in."

She nodded, her smile never wavering. "Yeah, I can imagine. But you're safe here. The others—they're intense, but they're good people. You'll get used to it."

Safe. I wasn't sure I could believe that yet, but something about Teresa's energy made it hard to argue. It felt strange—after everything I'd been through, the kindness here was unexpected. I hadn't realized how much I craved it until now.

As I slowly ate my breakfast, Teresa kept talking, asking me light questions about where I grew up and my favorite things to do. She didn't push too hard, didn't pry into the trauma that hung over me like a dark cloud, and for that, I was grateful.

Before long, there was another knock at the door. This time, Isabella stepped in. Her presence immediately shifted the air in the room, and I stiffened.

"Teresa," Isabella said, her tone sharp but not unkind. "We've got things to go over."

Teresa stood up, giving me a wink as she left. "I'll see you around, Lila. And remember—breathe. You're safe."

I nodded, still trying to process what "safe" really meant in this place.

Isabella crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. Her eyes scanned me for a moment, not unkindly, but still with that sharpness that seemed ever-present in her.

"How are you holding up?" she asked.

"I'm... fine," I said, carefully. I didn't know how to navigate this yet. I didn't know what she wanted from me.