ARIA

I wake up late the next morning to find Dante already gone from bed.

The house is quiet except for ocean sounds drifting through open windows. For a moment, I forgot where I am, and why we're here. Then reality settles back in like an uncomfortable weight.

I should probably feel worse about that than I do.

I find Dante on the terrace, with coffee in his hand, staring at the ocean. He doesn't turn when I join him, he just shifts slightly to make room.

"Dmitri made ...