Chapter 70: Lingering Shadows

The slam of the front door echoed through the apartment, a harsh punctuation mark at the end of a terrifying night. Mariana remained huddled by her room door long after the sound faded. A peculiar emptiness enveloped her, leaving her feeling drained. Exhaustion clawed at her, a tangible reminder of the emotional rollercoaster she had endured. Her thoughts circled back to the events of the night, playing out in a disjointed loop - the frantic rush to tend to Tiago's injuries, the escalating tension between them, the unexpected intimacy of their kiss. It was a stolen moment, born from chaos and desperation, yet it had ignited a spark within her that defied rational explanation. The initial aggression had been swiftly replaced by an unexpected tenderness, a glimmer of sincerity in Tiago's eyes that had stirred something deep within her. It sent a shiver down her spine, prompting a wave of self-disgust. Why, she wondered, had she allowed herself to be drawn to him? Weren't her defences