18

The next morning, Reyna awoke with a pounding headache, both physically and emotionally drained from the previous night's events. She dragged herself out of bed and got ready for the day, dreading what was to come.

When she came downstairs for breakfast, William was already there nursing a cup of black coffee. He barely glanced in her direction as she sat down, remaining stoically silent. An agonizing tension hung heavy in the air between them.

Reyna cautiously broke the silence. "William, about last night..."

"I'd rather not discuss it," he interrupted brusquely, not meeting her eyes. Finishing his coffee in one gulp, he stood up. "We have business at your winery today. Be ready to leave in 30 minutes."

With that, William exited, leaving Reyna staring helplessly after him. She tried to push down the rising hurt and disappointment swelling in her chest; this cold shoulder treatment was to be expected, she supposed, after everything that had transpired.

Quickly finishing her own coff