Alessia
The world outside the mansion seemed to blur into a monotonous hum, the kind of silence that hung heavy, almost pressing against my ears. The air inside was cooler than usual, the faint scent of polished wood and aged books lingering as I sat curled up on the couch in the sitting room. I wasn’t entirely sure why I had chosen this room. Maybe because it was one of the few places Valentino wouldn’t think to hover. Or maybe because it was one of the only rooms Jay didn’t frequent.
At least, not until now.
I heard the subtle creak of the door as it opened. My heart, traitorous and jittery, stuttered in my chest. I glanced up, fully prepared to scowl at whoever dared disturb my escape, but the words dissolved on my tongue as Jay stepped inside.
He was dressed down today—no suit jac
