Abstain

The door to the room closed with a quiet click and Amalia listened to Valerio’s feet pacing at the end of the bed.

She tried not to react when the bed dipped behind her and he crawled on top of the blankets, wrapping his arms around her from behind, drawing her close to his chest.

“Amalia, you need to wake soon, amoré,” he whispered in her ear. “I know you can’t hear me right now, but I am sorry f