Chapter 1063
The morning air had a strange sweetness to it, as if the forest itself had exhaled something softer than usual. Dew clung to the grass like tiny jewels, and birdsong wove through the trees in lazy waves. In the center of it all, Rose moved like she belonged to the light. She walked barefoot through the clearing, the hem of her long, sheer gown brushing the earth, the fabric hugging her hips with every slow, swaying step. Her hair shimmered like polished ink in the sun, and when she passed by, the scent of wildflowers clung to the air behind her.
The others noticed it too.
Susan was the first to laugh, brushing her hands on her thighs as Rose passed. "You’re glowing today," she said with a playful grin.
"Am I?" Rose asked, turning just enough to give Susan a glance from over her shoulder. It wasn’t just a look, it lingered, inviting, deliberate. Susan’s breath caught, her smile curving into something coy.
"You really are," Layla added as she approached from the river path, her tunic damp and clinging to her curves. She walked closer, dragging her fingers through her wet hair as Rose met her halfway. Their eyes locked.
"Maybe it’s the sunlight," Rose murmured. "Or maybe it’s because I missed you."
Layla’s brow lifted, but she didn’t pull away when Rose’s fingers skimmed down her arm, trailing lightly. "You see me every day," she said, though her voice had softened.
"Not like this," Rose replied, her lips just a breath from Layla’s cheek. Then she turned away, slowly, like she knew exactly how to leave someone wanting more.
By the time they gathered around the garden to collect fresh vegetables for breakfast, Rose had already made rounds, playful with Zoey as she reached for the same tomato, brushing hands and laughing in that low, sweet voice; brushing past Natalie and whispering something in her ear that made her bite her lip; leaning close to Emma as she picked herbs, letting her hair fall over her shoulder and tickle Emma’s bare skin.
No one said anything about it.
No one wanted to.