Upon hearing Vincenzo’s voice, Anna’s breath caught.

Shock rippled through her chest, tightening her lungs, and a lump rose in her throat.

She swallowed hard, forcing it down, but it kept threatening to rise again.

Vincenzo stood at the window, watching her with his grey, piercing eyes.

The cigarette burned slowly between his fingers, smoke spiraling upward.

“Are you done?” he asked again.

Anna pushed herself off the couch. Her legs trembled beneath her, but she forced herself to ...