The clock ticked softly in the quiet of the room. Alessia sat by the window, her knees drawn close, watching the sky shift from gold to gray and the day had stretched endlessly, each hour heavier than the last.
She told herself she wasn't waiting — but every sound outside made her heart jump. Every car that passed made her glance toward the driveway.
When the familiar hum of the engine finally reached her ears, she froze.
Her pulse quickened. She stood, smoothing her robe, though her hands trembled slightly. The front door opened downstairs, followed by the low murmur of Damian's voice.
For a moment, she couldn't move. Then she forced herself to step out of the room, her bare feet silent against the floor.
From the top of the staircase, she saw him tall, composed, his jacket slung over one arm.
But before he could even step in, Valeria ran toward him in excitement, her dark hair catching the light from the porch.
Alessia's brows furrowed. You again?
Down below, Damian was amazed.
"Valeria?" His voice carried, startled but warm.
She smiled brightly, spreading her arms. "Surprise!"
He blinked, disbelief flashing across his face before it melted into something softer. "You— what are you doing here?"
"Visiting," she said, laughing as she stepped forward. "You didn't think I'd stay away forever, did you?"
He didn't hesitate. He pulled her into a hug, lifting her slightly off the ground. She laughed again, the sound light and familiar.
Alessia's chest tightened.
Valeria's voice floated up faintly. "You look thinner. Are you even eating properly?"
Damian chuckled. "You haven't changed."
"Neither have you," she said, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder. "Still terrible at calling."
He smiled, shaking his head. "You could've told me you were coming."
"And ruin the surprise?" she teased. "Never."
They started toward the house together, still talking, still laughing — the kind of laughter that came easily, naturally.
You look exhausted. Long day?"
"Something like that," he said, his voice low.
"You should eat," she murmured. "I told the staff to keep dinner warm."
Alessia's breath caught. She told the staff?
Down below, Damian nodded. "Thank you."
Valeria smiled, stepping back slightly but still close enough that the space between them felt deliberate. "You don't have to thank me. I take care of people I care about."
Something in his expression shifted — a flicker of something unreadable
Alessia hurried back to her room, her pulse quickening. She didn't know why it bothered her — the warmth in his voice, the way he looked at Valeria like she was a piece of home.
She didn't want to see more. She didn't want to imagine what that meant.
She sat back on the bed, her chest tight, her thoughts spiraling.
Why does it matter? she told herself. It shouldn't matter.
But it did.
Downstairs, Valeria's tone softened. "Let's head to the table."
Damian hummed in agreement. "Alright. Let me go get Alessia."
"Ok". Valeria replied.
Moments later, she heard his footsteps approaching — steady, unhurried. Her door creaked open.
She turned quickly, slipping back into bed. She pulled the blanket up, forcing her breathing to slow, her eyes half-closed.
"Alessia?" His voice was gentle.
She didn't move.
He sat beside her, lifting her hair from her face. Then he stood up and kissed her on her forehead.
He walked out and closed the door carefully.
Alessia opened her eyes slowly, staring at the ceiling. Her throat felt tight, her chest heavy.
Downstairs, faint laughter echoed again — Valeria's voice, bright and easy.
Alessia turned to her side, pressing her face into the pillow.
She told herself she didn't care. That she was just tired.
But the truth was harder to ignore.
She wasn't tired. She was hurt.
And she didn't even know why.
And she fell asleep, her thoughts tangled in questions she wasn't ready to answer.