As the soft glow of dawn crept into the room, Armando stirred awake before Jessica. The first thing he noticed was the warmth of her body nestled against his. Her face, serene in sleep, was framed by her dark, wavy hair cascading across the pillow. He couldn’t help but smile softly, his heart swelling with an unfamiliar yet welcome feeling of peace. For a man who thrived in chaos and shadows, moments like this were rare—precious. Armando traced her features with his gaze, memorizing every curve of her face, every freckle that adorned her skin. She was his anchor, the woman who saw the man behind the mask, the one who stayed by his side despite his flaws. Unable to resist, he leaned down and pressed his lips softly to her shoulder, his kisses warm and lingering. He trailed his mouth a

