I was worried about you

****

The next morning's gentle light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden hue across the room. Gabriella stirred from her restless slumber, the weight of the previous night's turmoil still clinging to her like a delicate veil. As the tendrils of sleep gradually released their hold, she blinked away the remnants of dreams that seemed to mirror her unsettled thoughts.

With a resigned sigh, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her feet brushing against the cool floor. Her gaze fell to the ornate clock on the bedside table, its hands ticking away the moments. Waiting for Simon had taken a toll on her energy, leaving her both drained and inexplicably anxious. It was as if the night's revelations had infused a newfound electricity into her veins.

Just as she was about to stand up, a sudden movement caught her attention. Her eyes widened as her heart seemed to skip a beat. There, standing near the window, was Simon. The first rays of morning light cascaded over his fi