The first light of dawn crept through the faded curtains of a small, damp room—its pale golden glow stretching across cracked walls and worn furniture. In the narrow bed tucked into the corner, a slender figure stirred. Akshara blinked awake, her long lashes wet with unshed tears from the night before. Her arms instinctively wrapped around herself, as though shielding her soul from the ache that had become far too familiar.