Zelandria "Max" a twenty-year-old woman who lives behind emotional walls she built long ago. Calm, detached, and seemingly unbothered, Max moves through life with control and restraint, believing that emotions especially celebrations, attachments, and expectations are unnecessary distractions. To her, most days are just days. Even her own birthday feels meaningless. But beneath her cool exterior is a woman shaped by responsibility, loss, and quiet endurance. This is not a story about dramatic healing or sudden change. It is about softening. Date Planned: November 10, 2024 Date Started: September 19, 2025 Date Completed:

This novel will be written after the completion of The Bastion of Warmth, as it continues the world and emotions introduced in the first book this time, through Kyra's own journey. While this story can be read on its own, reading The Bastion of Warmth first is highly recommended for better understanding of the characters, relationships, and events.