Alina’s POV

There were mornings when I woke up and almost believed life was normal again. Today wasn’t one of them.

The sunlight streamed through the blinds, cutting across the bedroom in pale stripes. Dante was already awake, though he hadn’t said a word. He lay on his side, one arm folded beneath his head, staring at the ceiling like it had answers carved into it. His silence was heavy—too heavy—and it pressed against my chest until I couldn’t stand it anymore.

I rolled onto my back, sighing softly. “You’re doing it again.”

His gaze flicked to me, sharp, almost startled, before softening at the edges. “Doing what?”

“Thinking so...