Xander's Private Residence.
The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room as Xander stirred awake at precisely 4 AM. He turned to his side, watching Aurora sleep peacefully, her face relaxed, her long lashes resting gently against her cheeks.
His lips curled into a soft smile before he leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss on her cheek, then another on her bare shoulder.
Careful not to wake her, he slipped out of bed, naked, padding across the room in silent steps.
He freshened up and dressed in casual jeans and a fitted black shirt before retrieving his travel suitcase from the dressing room which he had packed the previous night. Setting it down beside the bed, he grabbed a pen and a small notepad from the nightstand.
With precise strokes, he scribbled a note, leaving it where she would see it.