Sienna called James on Saturday morning before she could second-guess herself.
If she waited—if she gave herself even another hour—doubt would creep back in. Logic would start whispering again. Stability. Security. A future that made sense on paper.
So she didn't wait.
She slipped out of the apartment quietly while Alessandro was in the shower, the sound of running water masking the soft click of the door. The hallway was cool, the air sharper than inside, grounding her in a way she needed.
She wrapped her arms around herself as she stepped outside.
Needed to do this alone.
Needed to say the words without watching Alessandro's face, without worrying about how they'd land, without letting his fear—or her love for him—soften what had to be clear and final.
Her fingers tightened around her phone.
She dialed.
James answered on the second ring, like he'd been expecting it.
"Sienna." His voice was calm, controlled. "Have you made a decision?"
A beat.
Then she exhaled.
