Arabella

There was a knock at the door.

Not loud. Just firm. Two taps. My heart stuttered. I already knew who it was.

I don’t know how - I just felt it. Like my whole body recognized the sound before my brain caught up.

I stood frozen in the middle of my room, hair still messy, wearing one of those oversized silk robes that felt more like Marco’s taste than mine. My fingers fidgeted with the tie at my waist. I opened the door slowly.

And there he was. Six.

Leaning against the frame like he had all the time in the world. His eyes dragged over my face like...