“Why?”
“Because the habit exists.”
“And the purpose?”
I look at the exits again. Eight. Mapped. Understood. Unused.
“The purpose changed,” I say.
“How?”
“I’m not counting to leave.”
“No.”
“I’m counting to stay.”
She considers that. “Explain.”
“I know every way out,” I say. “Which means I know exactly what I’m choosing not to use.”
Teresa’s expression shifts by a fraction. Approval again. “You’re choosing with full knowledge.”
“Yes.”
“Not out of ignorance.”
“No.”
“Not because you can’t leave.”
“No.”
“Because you won’t.”
“Yes.”
She opens the door. “Good.”
She leaves. The room settles again. I pick up the cup of tea. It’s still warm. Of course it is. Teresa times these things immaculately.
I take a sip. Mint. Ginger. Honey. Predictable. Effective. I set it down.
And wait.
Not for long.
He doesn’t keep me waiting anymore.
Alessandro enters without knocking.
Of course he does. His house. His rooms.
Our…
No. I don’t finish that thought. Not because it isn’t true. Because I don’t need to name it every time.
He stops just inside the doorway. Looks at me. “You’ve been awake.”
