ADRIANI’d never been one for physical closeness at night. Even when Serena was alive, I rarely shared a bed with her. On the nights I did, it was more out of obligation than desire. She never hid her distaste for having me near her. If she reached for me at all, it was only because she wanted something— never because she simply wanted me. That was the kind of marriage we had. A cold and empty one.Valentina was different. She had asked me to hold her, she had sought out my warmth. And I’d refused her. The look on her face when I pulled back haunted me now as much as any nightmare.The pale light of dawn crept through the curtains, painting the room in a soft gray glow. I turned my head and found her face on the pillow beside me. Her lashes were clumped together, still heavy with the traces of tears she hadn’t wanted me to see. Her cheeks were slightly puffed from crying, and yet there was something innocent, almost fragile, about the way she slept. Sometime in the night she had drift
最終更新日 : 2026-01-28
