That night, Adrian could not close his eyes.

The hotel room was dark, the lamp had been turned off long ago, yet his mind spun restlessly, refusing him rest. He lay on the bed staring at the ceiling, until at last he rose, walked toward the window, and gazed at the city drowned in the glow of its lights.

And his thoughts, unwillingly, carried him back to the past.

---

Years ago.

That afternoon, Deviana had come to meet him in the park.

Her face was bright, her hair caught by the breeze, her eyes sparkling the moment she saw him. In her hands she carried a small box—home-cooked lunch,...