n the air. She could feel the tension thickening around her, and the silence between them stretched, charge

a reminder that life beyond this moment was still moving, still living

ptured hers, almost as if marking a territory she hadn't known was his. He had been relentless in h

ass, watching her own reflection. She looked different now, her heart racing, her chest tight. She wasn't sure

to focus, but her thoughts

t her here? What d

her depth, and despite everything, the danger, the chaos, there was someth

out of her thoughts. Dante appeared, his hair still damp, his

fined and strong, his posture commanding as ever. The towel hung low aroun

's lips curled into a faint smirk, but he didn't say anything. He walked quietly past

t rising in her cheeks, but she was determined to push through it. The silence stretc

ire to shower, to cleanse herself of the weight of the night, was overwhelming. She undressed

brushing over her skin as she let the hot water run. She closed her eyes, leaning her for

the way he made her feel both vulnerable

till by the dresser. He hadn't moved, hadn't acknowledged her, and yet, the presence of his

picked up his phone, eyes fixed on the screen

g out her nightgown and robe. Slipping behind the edge of the curtain near the window, she ch

robe, Dante had put down his phone and picked up a book. He sat against th

and slid beneath the covers on he

And yet, she could feel him-like a st

gs. The only sounds were the soft rustle of pages as Dante flipped throug

he dim room. The cool sheets felt strange against her skin, to

ut her mind wouldn't settle. Not with him so clos

lace it on the nightstand. The light clicked off a m

didn't sa

for what, an explanati

ne

d himself beneath the covers. The bed d

ther into herself,

sure what th

mies. No

ng... in