The sound of the door slamming shut echoed through the empty space and with it, the last of my strength drained away. My legs gave out and I collapsed onto the sofa.
The floor heating filled the room with warmth, but I still felt unbearably cold. Curling up, I shut my eyes, but the numbness only deepened.
Sometime into the night, soft footsteps approached, steady and unhurried. A faint scent of citrus and pine filled the air before something warm draped over my shoulders.
I opened my eyes and found Hunter, Hayden's uncle, crouching slightly beside me. His suit jacket now covered me, shielding me from the chill I hadn't even realized had seeped into my bones.
"Oh... I must have been a mess," I murmured, offering a bitter smile.
Hunter, ever composed, merely tilted his head.
"Hey, if you're not feeling it, don't force it. Divorce... it can be a fresh start. A chance to be free."
I hadn't realized he'd overheard my earlier conversation with Hayden. But his words settled over me like a quiet reassurance. I'd expected him to be angry, to defend Hayden, but instead, he offered something that felt dangerously close to kindness.