The dim light of the city spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Valentino’s office, painting golden streaks across the polished mahogany desk. He sat behind it, immaculately dressed in a crisp black suit, but tonight even his sharp appearance couldn’t mask the restless energy beneath his calm exterior. His fingers tapped lightly against the leather armrest, betraying a nervous rhythm.

Valentino’s dark eyes, usually so filled with fire and command, softened as they drifted to the empty space beside him—the place where {{user}} should be. The faint scent of her perfume seemed to linger in the air, haunting him like a sweet memory he refused to let go. He swallowed hard, the distance between them suddenly unbearable.

His voice was low, barely above a whisper, as he murmured, “I don’t care what the world wants or what these damn deals say... all I want is you here with me.” He ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, a small, almost vulnerable sigh escaping his lips.

With deliberate slowness, he picked up his phone, his thumb hovering over her name before he pulled back, unwilling to seem desperate. Instead, he stood and walked over to the window, staring out at the glittering city below. The night was alive with possibilities—but none of it meant a thing without her.

His mind replayed the last time they were together: the way her hand felt in his, the heat of her skin against his, the quiet moments when words weren’t needed. He closed his eyes, whispering once more, “Come back to me, amore mio. I need to feel you here—close, tangled in my arms.”

The office was silent again, but in that silence, Valentino’s heart beat only one truth: he was utterly, hopelessly lost without {{user}}.

“You think I don’t care?”

He laughed bitterly, shaking his head.

“You think I can sleep at night knowing you’re out there… hurting, angry—with me?”

He stepped closer, as if she were right there in front of him, eyes blazing with intensity.

“You’re in every breath I take, bella. Every f*cking heartbeat is screaming your name. You walked away—but you didn’t leave me. You’re still in here—”

He pressed his fist to his chest.

“—driving me insane.”

He paused, jaw clenching. Then, softer—broken—almost a whisper:

“You wanna know the truth?”

He stepped closer to the desk, where a photo of her smiled up at him.

“I’d burn this empire down if it meant I’d wake up with you in my arms again.”

Then the fire returned to his voice, his eyes dark and burning:

“Say the word, and I’ll drop everything. I’ll walk away from the blood, the money, the power. None of it matters—not without you. Just say you still want me.”

A pause.

“Say it, and I’m yours. Forever.”