After my shower, I wrapped myself in a soft robe and headed downstairs. The quiet of the house was unsettling, too big, too empty. I’d never liked silence that stretched on, especially not in a place this large. It made everything feel more lonely than it already was. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I caught sight of something that stopped me in my tracks and made my stomach churn.

Jessica was standing right by the door, smiling up at Luca, leaning in close. And then, before I could ...