The streets of Paris seemed quieter than usual, draped in twilight hues as the wind carried faint whispers through the alleyways. Alexander sat alone in his study, a half-empty glass of bourbon resting on the oak desk beside him. The heavy scent of the liquor did little to calm his nerves, his mind looping over the last few weeks—Luca's face, his touch, the silent promises he couldn't let go of.
The knock on the door startled him.
"Come in," he called, his voice sharper than intended.
Sophia stepped in, her soft slippers barely making a sound. She held a mug of tea, her gaze immediately catching the unfinished glass. "Isn't it a little early for that?" she asked, her voice carrying both care and reprimand.
Alexander sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just needed something to t
