Chapter 36

Lila had always been a mystery, a shadow who seemed to appear when things got rough, only to disappear just as quickly. But now, as Alex and Samira sat across from her in the cozy living room of the house she had arranged for them, they began to realize just how deeply she was involved in their lives. This wasn’t just a temporary arrangement. It was a safe haven.

The house was modest but beautiful—a small two-story structure tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, in the heart of the city. It was modern, with large windows that let in plenty of sunlight, casting warm golden rays over the wooden floors. The scent of fresh paint still lingered in the air, a sign that the home had been newly prepared for them.

Samira’s eyes lit up as she explored, peeking into the spacious kitchen and running her fingers along the smooth granite countertops. She could already picture the meals they would share, the laughter that would fill the space as they finally had a place to call their own, free from t