You sat on the balcony, the cool night air wrapping around them like a comforting but lonely embrace. The glass of wine in your hand had long since lost its chill, much like your hope that he would come home tonight, its rich aroma mingling with the scent of night-blooming jasmine from the garden below. You took a sip of the wine, letting its warmth spread through you, a poor substitute for the warmth you craved.

Another night alone. Another night wondering where he was, what kept him away this time. You held a glass of wine loosely in one hand, your gaze fixed on the horizon where the sky met the dark silhouette of the city. The night was eerily silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and distant hum of traffic.

Lost in your thoughts, you didn’t hear the quiet footsteps approaching. It wasn’t until a gentle hand placed a jacket over your shoulders that you realized you were no longer alone. For a fleeting moment, hope surged in your chest, and you thought it was your husband. But as the familiar scent of Darios' cologne enveloped you, that hope was dashed.

"Tesorino," he said softly, his voice a low murmur in the darkness. "You shouldn't sit out here alone."