Author's POV
The morning light filtered through the curtains, painting Viya's bedroom in soft autumn gold.
She stirred, stretching languidly across the bed, her hand reaching instinctively for the warmth that had been beside her all night.
Empty.
Caesar was already gone.
She sat up slowly, pushing her dark hair back from her face, and listened.
The apartment was quiet, but not entirely silent. As she padded toward the bathroom, still groggy with sleep, she heard it—the faint chime of the doorbell echoing through the hallway.
The sound was brief. Cut short almost immediately.
Caesar must have answered it.
Viya relaxed, turning her attention back to her morning routine.
She brushed her teeth—and splashed cool water on her face, trying to shake off the lingerin
