Page 114 of Twisted Violet

From the live security feed in my office, I see her come out of the elevator and cross the lobby.

Her apron is tied in the back, her hair is up, and her shoulders are relaxed in a way they never used to be.

She looks happy.Genuinelyhappy. And while it does sting to know she’s moved forward without me, I’m glad she’s doing so well.

She deserves good things, even if I’m not one of them anymore.

Over the next few weeks,more changes come.

Better security for the building, a late-night patrol circling the block, her favorite snacks stocked at the corner store.

Then one morning, I’m monitoring the street cameras when I see her pause outside of a vacant storefront at the end of the block.

She peeks through the front window and presses a hand to the glass like she’s measuring the space with her eyes.

Then, she shakes her head and keeps walking.

She’s only there for a couple of minutes, but it sticks with me.

So I buy it and put it under a trust.

It’s hers. Even if she never takes it. Even if she never speaks to me again.

I don’t love her for what I get back. I love her because of who she is.

She’s the only person who’s ever looked at me like I wasn’t just sharp edges and silence. She saw something in me, and she stayed. So now it’s my turn. To see her, to stay, even if it is in the background.

If all I ever get is the chance to make her life easier, that’ll be enough.

But if she ever wants more…

I’ll be ready.

FORTY-THREE

VIOLET

The hallway smellslike vanilla and lavender.

Not the fake, overly sweet kind either. The soft, herbal version I used to keep diffusing in my old room. The one Rome always claimed gave him headaches until I caught him standing in my doorway breathing it in like it was his new favorite scent.

I pause and glance at the diffuser tucked discreetly into the corner of the hallway. New. Sleek. Blinking a faint blue light.

That wasn’t here last week.

Ever since the new management took over, things have… shifted.

Repairs actually happen now.

The heater doesn’t scream when it kicks on.

The hallway light became this golden glow that didn’t fry my retinas at midnight.

My packages stopped getting stolen.

They even replaced my flimsy front door with a new soundproof one reinforced with steel.

And then there’s the donuts.