章 35: RACHEL

Antonio's brow furrowed as he glanced around. Rachel's presence had been the one constant he could rely on, the only thing that made sense in the tangled mess his life had become. He moved to the window, peering out as if expecting to see her pacing in the garden below, but there was no sign of her.

Then he heard it—a faint, muffled sound from down the hall. Antonio followed the noise, his pulse quickening as he realized it was coming from the guest room, the one Rachel often used when she wanted to be alone. He paused outside the door, the barrier between them suddenly feeling thicker than just wood and hinges.

"Rachel," Antonio called softly, knocking gently. "Are you in there?"

Silence. Antonio knocked again, louder this time, the tension knotting in his gut. "Rachel, please, let me in."