Alessia stood still long after the call ended, her phone still in her hand, her thoughts refusing to settle. The silence in her apartment didn’t feel peaceful anymore it felt heavy, pressing in on her from all sides, as if the walls themselves were closing in.
Her gaze stayed fixed on the car outside.
It hadn’t moved.
It was still there.
Still waiting.
A slow breath left her lips, but it did nothing to steady the storm building inside her.
This was a mistake.
She knew it.
Every instinct she had was screaming at her to stop to call Rafael, to lock the door, to stay exactly where she was and not take another step.
But there was another voice in her head.
Quieter.
Calmer.
And far more dangerous.
You wanted the truth. Now take it.
Her fingers tightened at her sides as her pulse c
