Narrated by Nicole
As soon as Urso left, the silence that remained was as heavy as the emptiness that settled in my chest. I knew where he was going. I knew the reason. I knew everything. And yet, it didn't make it any easier to accept. It was too strange and uncomfortable to imagine the man who sleeps with me, kisses me, and calls me his woman, having to step into a brothel for a mission. Even if it was for us, for Sophia, for everything we've been building... it still hurt.
I stood there, in the middle of the room, lost in thoughts and worries, while Mrs. Vera watched me with that look of someone who understands more than they say. We tried to distract ourselves, make up tasks, wash dishes that were already clean, dry a cloth that was already dry. Anything to escape that emptiness. Bu
