REINA

The ocean was quieter now.

The yacht drifted slowly across dark water, its lights scattering gold reflections that moved like broken pieces of glass. The music had softened into something almost distant, like it belonged to another world entirely.

I didn’t even realize I had been staring at Paolo until he spoke.

“Reina.”

His voice pulled me back gently.

I blinked and found him already looking at me.

Not like before.

Not playful. Not distracted.

This time his gaze felt heavier. Like something inside him had shifted.

“What is it?” I asked softly.

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he reached for my hand across the table and held it...