The first rays of morning sunlight slipped gently through the sheer white curtains, painting soft golden patterns across the quiet bedroom. Outside, the distant sound of waves meeting the shore created a peaceful melody, while a cool ocean breeze drifted into the room.
For the first time in what felt like forever...
Neither of them woke alone.
Rafael's eyes fluttered open slowly. For a few moments, he simply lay still, his mind still suspended between dreams and reality. Then his gaze shifted beside him.
Aria was sleeping peacefully, her face relaxed, her long hair spread softly across the pillow. One of her hands rested unconsciously near him, as though even in sleep she had never wanted to drift too far away.
A faint smile appeared on Rafael's lips.
He didn't know why...but seeing her beside him made something inside him become incredibly calm. There was no restlessness.Only peace.
A peace so deep that it almost frightened him.
