- Two Homes, One Heartbeat.

The house was silent, except for the distant sound of the old hallway clock. Its ticking seemed louder that afternoon, as if it were counting down not just time, but something else—perhaps a secret, waiting to be unearthed.

Viridiana was alone. Leo had gone out briefly to the magazine’s editorial office, but not before kissing her forehead and promising he wouldn’t be long.

Carefully, she stood up. Her pregnancy had progressed so far that every movement required planning. She walked to Leo’s study. She didn’t usually go in without him, but something in the calm of the afternoon urged her to do so.

The books were where they always were, arranged by color. Framed photos on the desk showed gala events, old magazine covers, and smiles frozen in time. But it was the small wooden cabinet in the corner by the window that caught her attention: a drawer, slightly ajar.

She bent down slowly and opened it all the way.