A full week had passed since Aria stepped away from Rafael's side.
Seven painfully long days for Aria, every day felt like a year.
And for Rafael...every day felt strangely wrong. The mansion had become quieter.
Rafael sat inside his office, staring at the untouched cup of coffee in front of him. The new caretaker had prepared it exactly as instructed.
Yet somehow...It tasted different.
Rafael frowned.
"This makes no sense."
He pushed the cup away.
Across the room, the new caretaker immediately became nervous.
"Did I do something wrong, sir?"
Rafael sighed.
"No."
But his irritation only grew. Because she hadn't done anything wrong.
That was the problem. She followed every instruction perfectly. Yet nothing felt right. The entire week continued the same way.
Rafael found himself becoming increasingly frustrated.
The new caretaker was professional, efficient but there was no warmth.
