12: VACATING THE GUEST ROOM

The next morning, I awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room. As I opened my eyes, the events of the previous night flooded back, and I couldn't shake off the sense of unease. I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to check on Bob. The tension from the night lingered in the air, and I could feel a knot in my stomach. With a deep breath, I mustered the courage to get up and face the day. Downstairs, the villa seemed to carry the weight of unspoken words. Bob was in the kitchen, his back turned to me as he prepared his morning coffee. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and I could sense the brewing storm. "Morning," I said cautiously, hoping to break the ice. He didn't respond, his jaw clenched tightly. The silence between us was palpable, and I could feel the resentment building. "Look, about last night—" I began, but he cut me off with a sharp glare. "I don't want to talk abou