Morning wasn’t some fresh new start. It was just the next line in a story that wouldn't end.
Alessia woke slow, foggy, the weight of last night still hanging on her limbs. Everything was too close, too tense the almost moments lingering in her skin. She opened her eyes and stared at a ceiling she didn’t know.
This was Rafael’s penthouse.
It hit her right away she hadn’t left. Somewhere between being drained and overwhelmed, she’d just stayed.
Her heart sped up a little. She sat up, taking in the quiet room. It was too still, almost oppressive. She wondered if Rafael was there, maybe watching her, maybe waiting.
But no empty.
She let herself breathe. Ran a hand through her hair. Good. She needed a second to get her head straight. Whatever happened last night, it changed things. Not ju
