Roses and Ruines

stood in the corner of her family's failing bookstore, staring at her unfinished painting.

her father's shaking hands s

ore

turn. She knew who it was. His presence ar

aid softly, the brush

it. But when Emilia faced him, she didn't see a monster. She saw a man in a

you why I'm here," he sai

"You're here

ng the cracked wooden floor. "I'm offering an altern

d tipped side

ere was something human in his gaze. "Be