The rain thumped incessantly against the windows, a steady, cadenced drumming that filled the room with its grim melody.

The opened window let in a gust of wind that carried droplets of rain which splashed on Alessia’s sleeping face. She stirred, her eyelids fluttering open slowly as the coolness of the rain kissed her skin.

She blinked as her gaze fixed on the white ceiling above, her eyes widening in confusion. With a start, she jerked upright in panic.

“What the….” She glanced around the room, taking in the sight of things in it.

From the heavy curtains to the ornate furniture, the faint scent of Marco’s cologne lingered in...