Chapter 44

Clara turned to unlock the door, glancing back to see Alexander still standing where she had left him. His face was partially obscured by the shadows of the night, making his expression unreadable. "Alexander?" she called softly. Her voice seemed to snap him out of his thoughts. He quickly masked whatever had been on his mind and walked over to join her. Clara didn't notice anything unusual. Once he caught up, she opened the gate and stepped into the yard, leading the way inside. Alexander followed her into the small house. "You can sit on the couch while I make the pasta," she said, gesturing toward the sofa. She set her bag down on a side table and headed straight to the kitchen. Alexander sat down, his eyes wandering around the cozy living room. The space was small but warm, decorated with soft cushions and a plush teddy bear on the couch. From where he sat, he had a clear view of the kitchen and could see Clara bustling about—boiling water, washing, and prepping i