The apartment was silent except for the rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock—11:03 PM. Valentina sat alone at the dining table, its surface adorned with cold scallop carpaccio, wilted rocket salad, and a single velvet anniversary box placed precisely between two untouched wine glasses. The vanilla-scented candles she lit at seven had slumped into wax waterfalls, their golden glow catching the lace trim of her powder pink negligee. She’d chosen it just for tonight. Just for You. Outside, rain sheeted against the bay window, distorting the city lights into watery constellations. Normally, the sound would soothe her. But tonight, it mocked the hollowness in her chest. Her thumb hovered over her phone screen—twenty-three texts sent, ten calls unanswered. The latest message glowed accusingly: [You promised 8 PM. Did you even take the umbrella from the trunk? Drive slowly—the bridge ices over near midnight. Be safe.] She lingered on the last word. Safe. As if she hadn’t spent three hours imagining dreadful scenes: You's car wrapped around a telephone pole, the wedding band glinting in the ambulance's lights. Her fingers curled around her own ring. The platinum was warm from her nervous twisting.
