Sonia’s POV
That night, Paris disappeared.
Not in lights.
Not in sound.
Not in streets or distant laughter.
It disappeared in the quiet space between Alexander’s breaths and mine.
The room was dim when we returned, curtains drawn halfway, city lights bleeding in softly through the glass. Everything felt hushed, reverent, as if even the walls knew this was sacred ground now.
He helped me out of my shoes carefully.
Sat me on the edge of the bed.
Looked at me like he still couldn’t quite believe I was real.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” he asked again.
I smiled faintly.
“Yes. I promise.”
His thumb brushed my knuckles, anchoring, grounding.
Then he leaned in and kissed me.
Not urgently.
Not hungered.
But with the quiet depth of someone choosing me all over again.
What followed w
