The penthouse felt colder this time, but honestly, maybe that was just her. Alessia stepped out of the elevator slow enough that every heartbeat thudded in her ears. She kept hearing that same word. Yes. Over and over. It still didn’t feel real. It didn’t feel like hers. But she’d said it. And now she had to face him.
Rafael stood exactly where she’d left him last night, like he hadn’t moved an inch. Maybe he hadn’t. Maybe he’d been waiting for her all this time.
Of course he had.
Her jaw tightened as she walked forward. The sound of her heels echoed against that polished floor, louder than before. This time, she didn’t pause, didn’t falter. If she did, she knew she’d turn around and leave, and she didn’t have that option anymore.
“You came back.” His voice was calm, so certain. Like h
