Chapter 11

Caesar returned home and entered the villa. Nothing inside had changed, but he still felt like something was missing. He absent-mindedly took off his suit jacket and habitually held it out. Then, he froze when he heard it fall to the floor. He headed to the living room and looked at the empty couch. In the past, no matter how late he returned, Nadia would always be seated there while waiting for him. She would get him his lounge slippers when he got back and take his coat. He walked past the kitchen. It was dark and quiet inside—there was no longer any food being kept warm for him in case he was hungry when he returned. Caesar walked into the second bedroom when he passed it. The room's furnishings were still the same. Everything was so plain and simple that it contrasted starkly with the rest of the villa's lavish decorations. It matched the room's owner's tastes, though. Still, Nadia would never return. From the day onward, Caesar had the same dream every night. It would always