Page 172 of No Need to Run

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Ivy materializes beside me.

“Give me Luna,” she says to Violet. “I’ll put her in the carrier and take her to the living room until they’re gone.”

The movers return with the headboard and mattress, talking to Violet like she lives here.

But she doesn’t.

When they leave to get the dresser, I move closer to her. “Violet?—”

Sebastian comes in, carrying a lamp and a nightstand. “Figured I’d help.”

“Not that outlet,” Violet says, pointing. “The cord will show from there. Use that one.”

The movers return with the dresser, and she steps away to give them instructions.

I blow out a breath.

This isn’t the first time she’s known something she shouldn’t.

Okay, that’s enough.

I need control.

I stand there, watching Violet as she directs everything like a conductor.

And I don’t remember handing her the baton.

As soon as they leave the room, she approaches me. “Don’t worry. It’s going to feel like home faster than you think.”

“I’m not worried about?—”

“Oh, good,” she says softly. “Then it already does.”

37

VIOLET

I stepinto the living room, my gaze sweeping over the space.

The chaos is over. No more movers. No more boxes blocking every walkway. Just the soft hum of a house coming back to life.

My fingers brush over the back of the couch as I pass, adjusting it half an inch.

That’s better.

My gaze drifts toward the hallway where Drew appears.

He still looks a little shaken.

Get used to it, sweetheart. This is only the beginning.

Satisfaction settles low in my chest.

It took longer than I expected.

But I’m here now.

Ivy holds Luna, who purrs happily. Sebastian is beside his wife, where he always is.

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