The days that followed felt different—lighter, yet more intense. The air between Claire and Vladimir had shifted, and though they were still navigating the complexities of their new life together, there was a newfound peace between them. Their conversations grew deeper, more open, each layer of uncertainty peeling away with each passing day.
Outside their condo’s floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights of Bonifacio Global City flickered against the night sky. The streets below were still alive with movement—cars gliding smoothly along the well-paved roads, a group of late-night joggers passing by, and the distant hum of a motorcycle engine cutting through the relative quiet.
From their vantage point, Claire could see the neon signs of high-end restaurants and coffee shops, their warm
