AUTHOR’S POV
Zoraya and Cian found themselves outside after the night's festivities had ended. The stars above Luxor Heights twinkled brightly, but all she could think about was how much she wanted to stay. The warmth of the Diakos home, the sense of belonging, had put her in such a good mood that the prospect of returning to her parents' house seemed unbearable.
She leaned against the front porch rail, nervously tracing the gold necklace Mrs. Diakos had given her. She was already wearing it, and she loved it. Cian stood beside her, his hand gently resting against her back.
“I don’t want to go home,” she finally said, tired of wrestling alone with her thoughts. She knew her parents would stay awake and not sleep until she returned, especially given what had happened with her father.
