The executive penthouse atop Artemis Tower sat quiet beneath the fading darkness of early morning. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city remained caught between night and dawn. Streetlights still glowed along distant roads while the first hints of sunlight crept across the horizon. Inside the master bedroom, soft shadows stretched across polished wood floors and expensive furniture.
Galathea stirred beneath the blankets.
Half asleep, she rolled toward the other side of the bed and reached across the mattress.
Her hand found something soft.
A pillow.
Not her Alex.
Her eyes opened slowly.
For several seconds she simply stared at the ceiling.
Maybe he was in the bathroom.
She listened.
No running water.
No movement.
No sound.
The bathroom remained dark.
Galathea pushed herself upright and rubbed her eyes. "Alex?"
No answer.
She slipped into her robe and stepped out of the bedroom.
The penthouse felt unusually empty.
