The next day in front of the house which Markus has given. The lock clicked open with a soft turn of the key, and the heavy wooden door swung inward, revealing the dimly lit foyer of Valeria’s new home. The scent of polished wood and fresh linen lingered in the air, untouched by the presence of life until now.

Valeria hesitated for a moment, standing in the doorway with the keys still in her grip. It felt surreal, walking into a house that was hers, one that didn’t belong to Markus, one ...