Chapter 10
Alessandro tossed and turned, lost in a fitful sleep,
His dreams dredged up memories of his time in darkness–that period of despair and confusion. Bet this time, the woman who had stood beside him through it all was nowhere to be found.
“Aria…” he murmured, brow furrowed, chest rising and falling rapidly as the nightmare tightened its grip.
In the dream, he fumbled through darkness, calling for her, but only silence answered.
He jerked awake, sweat beading his forehead. The blackout curtains plunged the room into darkness, disorienting him as his heart hammered. For a moment, he couldn’t distinguish reality from nightmare.
He pushed himself upright. “Aria?” His voice caught.
Silence.
“Aria!” he called, louder now.
When no response came, he stumbled out of bed, hands outstretched until he found the light switch.
Light flooded the room, revealing emptiness. The nightmare’s grip loosened, and Alessandro massaged his temples, suddenly aware of her absence.
Where was Aría?
His momentary calm vanished. Heart racing again, he yanked open the bedroom door.
The penthouse was eerily quiet. A few staff members glanced up from their cleaning as he emerged.
“Where’s Aria?” The urgency in his voice was unmistakable.
“Miss Collins? We thought she was taking a nap with you in the bedroom.”
Before he could reply, his phone chimed. He checked the notification automatically.
Sofia’s voice came through, soft and pleading: “Alex, my lights are out and I’m stuck here alone. Could you swing by? I really need your help.”
He frowned, about to decline when a second message arrived.
“I know you’re taking Aria to meet your parents tonight… but I’ll be sitting here in the dark…” Her voice trailed into a barely audible sob.
“Let me know when Aria gets back,” he instructed the staff. “I need to run out for a bit.”
He changed quickly and grabbed his keys.
08:35
I Love You So Much. But I Just Don’t Like
36.0%
Chapter 10
Arriving at Sofia’s luxury condo, he found her lounging on a white leather data that led to the imagination. Hearing him enter, she opened her eyes with practiced drowsin
“Alex, you came,” she said, brightening instantly. She hurried toward him, pressing kartal arches, kas body soft and warm against his.
“You’ll freeze dressed like that,” he said automatically, his hands finding her shoulders out of habit rather than
desire.
“I got scared,” she murmured against his shirt. “Being alone in the dark freaks me out..
“Why don’t you come with me to my parents dinner tonight?” he offered impulsively,
The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Before he could backtrack, Sofia looked up at him, eyes glistening with perfectly timed tears.
“Really, Alex?”
