The night pressed heavy around the Don's mansion, the kind of thick silence that felt like the world was holding its breath. She sat by the tall windows of the guest parlor, the storm in her chest louder than the wind brushing the glass. For days, tension had grown between them, an invisible thread pulled too taut, and she knew tonight something would snap.
Luca had been distant since the ex returned, his eyes colder, his voice clipped, as though every time he looked at her, he saw betrayal waiting in the shadows. She hated that it mattered. She hated that it hurt. But most of all, she hated that she still wanted him close, still longed for the safety of his arms even when those arms felt like chains.
When the door creaked open, she didn't turn immediately. His presence filled the room anyway heavy, commanding, impossible to ignore.
"Why are you sitting here alone?" Luca's voice was low, a growl softened only by exhaustion.
