The evening was quiet, too quiet. The air inside the room felt heavy, filled with words neither of them wanted to say.
Lorenzo sat on the edge of the bed, his shoulder wrapped in clean bandages. His face was pale but calm.
Alessia stood by the window, arms folded, pretending to look at the fading light — but really, she was fighting tears.
"I have to go," Lorenzo said softly.
She didn't move. Not even a breath escaped her.
"You need rest," she whispered instead. "You're not strong enough to—"
"I'm strong enough to walk away," he interrupted gently. His eyes lifted to her, dark and steady. "I just need time to think… to breathe."
Her throat tightened. "Think about what?"
He smiled faintly, but his eyes told the truth — pain, confusion, and something deeper.
"About what I've done. About us. About how far this has gone."
Her heart broke a little hearing that word — us.
There was something real between them, but neither dared to name it.
"Do you even know what you're saying?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I saved you, Alessia, not to own you… but because I couldn't stand the thought of losing you." He stood, wincing slightly from the pain. "But right now, I don't know who I am anymore — a savior, or a curse."
She turned, meeting his eyes for the first time.
"I never asked you to leave," she said quietly. "But if you think it'll help you… then go."
For a moment, he didn't move. Then he nodded slowly, walking toward her. He stopped close enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath.
"I'll come back," he said. "Even if you don't wait for me, I'll still find my way back to you."
Her lips parted, but no words came. Her chest ached as he stepped past her and out of the door.
She listened to his footsteps fading away until silence swallowed the house.
When she finally turned back to the window, a single tear slipped down her cheek.
She wiped it away quickly, whispering to herself, "You better come back to me, Lorenzo… you better."
Moments later, the door opened — her father's voice cutting through the quiet.
"Alessia."
She turned around, startled. He looked at her, eyes full of worry.
"What has come over you, my daughter?"
She stayed silent.
"You used to be strong… untouchable. But now? You cry over an enemy's son. You protect the man who should've been your rival."
Her hands shook, but she faced him. "Because he's not my enemy, Papa. Not anymore."
Her father's voice softened but carried sadness.
"Love can make even the strongest heart forget who it beats for."
Alessia looked down, voice barely a whisper. "Maybe… or maybe it just shows who it was beating for all along."
He said nothing more. He just stared at her, realizing his daughter was no longer just his little girl — she was a woman in love, and no warning could stop what her heart had already chosen.