We stirred awake, enveloped in a warm embrace of sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains. His arm was still draped across my waist, a familiar weight that felt both protective and reassuring. The gentle rhythm of his breath, rising and falling in a soothing cadence, anchored me firmly at this moment, free from the pressures of deadlines, boardroom meetings, and past regrets. Just this serene slice of time. Just him.
I lay still for a moment, my gaze drifting across the intricately textured ceiling, pondering how something so simple as waking together could feel so extraordinarily rare. Peace enveloped us, a cozy cocoon of tranquility.
But in our tumultuous world, peace is always fleeting.
It started with a low buzz—Rafael’s phone vibrating on the nightstand, cutting through the ca
