CHAPTER 1

SOFIA JOHNSON

I see my boyfriend's car parked a few streets away from my house.

I recognize that music anywhere, because it’s exactly the playlist Lucas always plays in his car.

It’s his car. Pulled over on the curb, engine running, windows fogged, and… movement inside.

I stop my car and start walking closer, then I wipe the glass and manage to see Lucas sitting in the driver’s seat kissing a blonde girl sitting on his lap.

His hands are on her chest as he fuck her.

I blink, seeing that they don’t know I’m here yet.

I knock on the window. Once. Slowly.

They freeze.

She widens her eyes, pulling her skirt down.

He turns his face toward me, and at that moment I expect to see regret, guilt, anything. But what I find is surprise.

"Sofia..." He opens the door, stepping out hurriedly and pushing the girl away from him.

"It’s not what you think. I can explain."

I cross my arms, raising an eyebrow.

"I don’t want to hear it, Lucas."

He blinks, as if the coldness in my voice is more offensive than if I had screamed.

"For God’s sake, you’re misunderstanding."

I look at the blonde, who shrinks in the seat.

"What exactly am I misunderstanding? The fact that your tongue is in her mouth, or the fact that it’s inside your car, on the street I walk by every day?"

He runs a hand through his hair, nervous.

"I..."

"Sofia, just let me talk to you. She means nothing to me."

The girl gets out of the car and huffs, looking angrily at him.

"Really, Lucas? I mean nothing to you? It didn’t seem that way when you called me every day asking me out."

I raise an eyebrow before smiling at Lucas.

He expects tears from me, but I don’t cry. I can’t.

"Forget it, Lucas."

I pass by him, heading straight to my car parked a few meters ahead.

"Sofia!"

"You’re not worth my energy."

I get in, slam the door, and start the engine.

I don’t look back.

The first raindrop falls on the windshield even before I reverse.

Within minutes, a storm begins.

It’s darker now, and I just want to get home.

Lucas and I have been together for 2 years, and this was the first time I caught him with another woman, even though I always felt he was an idiot.

I can do this. I’ve done it many times before. I will forget him and move on.

“Fuck!” I curse, realizing the universe has other plans for me now.

The car starts making a strange noise in the middle of the avenue.

"No… not now," I murmur, gripping the steering wheel.

Lights on the dashboard start blinking.

The engine coughs and dies. I try to start it again, nothing. Once more, and nothing.

I sigh, pulling the car over to the shoulder.

The rain falls so hard I can barely see. I pull out my phone, but there’s no signal. Perfect.

It’s then that I see, on the other side of the street, a lit-up hotel.

I grab my bag, take a deep breath, and run to the entrance, getting completely soaked.

The lobby is warm and luxurious, with a soft aroma of vanilla and wood.

At the desk, a young receptionist seems nervous, fiddling with papers and the computer as if it were her first day of work.

"Good evening!" she says, smiling a little anxiously. "Can I help you?"

"My car broke down on the avenue. I need a room to spend the night."

"Of course!" She types quickly. "Luckily, we have one available on the eighth floor."

"Thank you."

I pay without looking at the amount and accept the key card.

The elevator goes up slowly, and the silence reminds me that I’m alone.

Just a few hours ago I was in a relationship, and now… I’m not.

In the hallway, I find door 805, swipe the card, and enter.

The room is huge, with a king-size bed and heavy curtains.

I drop my bag on the armchair and take off my shoes, feeling my feet ache.

All I want is a hot shower.

I start undressing slowly, feeling the wet fabric cling to my skin.

First the blouse, then the pants. The air conditioning is cold, but I already imagine the hot water enveloping me.

I open the bathroom door, and steam hits my face.

Strange. I didn’t turn on the shower.

That’s when I hear it.

The sound of water falling.

My heart almost stops in my chest.

I step inside, and through the semi-transparent glass, I see a silhouette.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Slow movements of someone soaping their body.

It’s impossible.

"What the fuck...?!" I scream, stepping back, eyes wide.

The person stops washing and slowly turns toward me.

The shower is turned off slowly.

And that’s when I realize I’m not alone in this room.