The persistent buzz of the alarm clock pulled Rosa from the depths of sleep, its insistent tone a stark reminder of another day stretching before her. She reached out a long, languid arm, silencing the noise, then turned over, her gaze falling on the empty space beside her in the silk sheets.

A week. A full week since Jax had packed his bags, leaving behind only a void and a lingering question: Why?

Rosa sighed, the ache of loneliness a dull throb in her chest. She missed his touch, the scent of his aftershave, even his off-key singing in the shower. Sitting up, she let her legs dangle over the edge of the bed before standing, stretching her arms above her head, her camisole straining against her full breasts. The bathroom mirror reflected a body she often scrutinized, a body Jax had playfully, yet pointedly, joked about. With a sigh, she stepped into the hot spray of the shower, letting the water cascade over her skin, wishing the stream could wash away the lingering doubts about herself. The phone rang, its shrill cry cutting through the steam, pulling her from her thoughts.