I kept my hand on it for a second, as though the metal might change its mind.

Sophia waited beside me with the final property notice under her arm.

Access had been restored under the settlement, and the temporary arrangement allowed my existing key to work again until the locksmith installed the new system that morning.

“Try it again,” she said.

I turned the key back, then forward.

The deadbolt slid.

“I think it still remembers me.”

She smiled.