Valerie's POV
I woke up with a strange feeling.
Not from a nightmare.
Not from anxiety.
More like… emptiness.
My hand reached out to the other side of the bed out of habit, cold. Neat. There was no sign Leo had slept there last night, except for a pillow that had been arranged a little too perfectly.
I slowly sat up.
My first instinct was to scan the room.
The sofa was empty.
The blanket neatly folded.
Leo was gone.
I let out a short breath, and for some reason felt a little… disappointed. Ridiculous. I knew it. I shouldn't get too comfortable. This wasn't a routine, and Leo was definitely not the type to wake up late.
I got out of bed and went into the bathroom.
Cold water hit my skin, washing away the last of my drowsiness. I took a quick shower, tied my hair loosely, then stepped out with a small towel draped around my neck.
And that's when I saw him.
Leo was already in the room.
