MARIA'S POV
The brightness of the day gently illuminated the room, rousing me from my sleep. Stretching my limbs, I reached for my phone and discovered the morning had advanced to 7:00 am. Feeling the need to embrace the new day, I gracefully stepped down from the sofa where I had spent the night.
Contemplating a shower, I ascended the stairs leading to the bedroom, memories of the previous night's events lingering in my head. Opening the door to face Connor after the emotional turbulence felt like stepping into a war. Despite the awkwardness gripping me, he projected an air of indifference, expertly avoiding the discomfort that enveloped the room last night.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door ajar, half-expecting to find him there. To my surprise, the room was empty, devoid of an
