The night had settled softly over the villa, the moon spilling through the tall glass windows and painting silver patterns across the wooden floor. The air was still, calm—too calm, at least until a familiar sound broke the quiet.
A soft grumble echoed from the direction of the bedroom.
"Urgh…" Mio groaned, clutching her stomach as she blinked at the clock on the wall. "No way… already midnight?" Her stomach answered her with another loud growl. "Seriously?"
She sat up, her hair falling in slightly tangled waves over her shoulders, the oversized cream shirt she wore slipping off one shoulder. The faint scent of coffee still lingered in the air—Claude's coffee, no doubt. He had probably stayed up late again, either working or hovering nearby, pretending not to worry.
The thought made her roll her eyes, though her lips curved in a fond smile.
