Finding Family, Finding Love

Chapter 11

Ricardo

Today marks Elliot's first day of school here,  a milestone that fills me with a mix of guilt and nostalgia as I remember the times we lost.

Meanwhile, Alessandro is buried under heaps of paperwork and a flurry of meetings that demand his attention, leaving me to handle my own responsibilities before joining him later.

It's strange to see how quickly Elliot has grown, my baby brother becoming more independent with each passing day, yet forever remaining the little one in my eyes.

Lost in my thoughts, reminiscing, im jolted back to reality by the familiar sound of the front door clicking shut.

Initially, assuming it's Eduardo popping back in for a quick errand or snack, typical of his impulsive nature,  I brace myself for his presence.

However, as the footsteps draw closer to the kitchen where I am, a sense of unease creeps in.

Why would he return home at this hour? And for food, no less? This behavior is unlike him, sparking a sense of foreboding within me as I prepare for an unexpected encounter with my enigmatic brother.

HOLLY FRANKLIN FUCK!!

Mitchell stands before me, his presence as captivating as ever. His chiseled features, once familiar and dear, now seem almost foreign after three years apart.

The sunken eyes that once pierced my soul with intensity now appear haunted, as if the weight of his thoughts has taken a toll on his very being.

The smile that once brightened my world, the one that never left his face when we were together, is now a distant memory, replaced by a faint, apologetic curve of his lips.

His eyes, once windows to a love that seemed unwavering, now seem to hold a lingering sorrow, a longing that hasn't diminished with time.

It's as if he's still trapped in the past, unable to shake off the memories we created together. His gaze, once full of adoration, now seems to plead for forgiveness for a second chance.

But I won't be fooled again. I thought we had it all three years ago - a love that would last a lifetime, a future filled with promise, and a happiness that would only grow with each passing day.

I thought we'd grow old together, watching our grandkids play at our feet. But life had other plans, and Mitchell's departure left me with only shattered dreams and a heart that's still struggling to mend.

Unless he speaks the words himself, unless he confesses his true feelings and intentions, I refuse to be swayed by his haunted eyes and sorrowful smile. I won't fall prey to the same false hopes and promises that once left me heartbroken. This time, I'll need more than just a lingering gaze to believe in him again.

" ...Er Richie..." His eyelids, like heavy curtains, droop down, veiling the pain he's caused.

The same eyes that once gazed at me with reverence now shroud themselves in shame, as if the weight of his remorse is too much to bear.

Those eyes now tremble with regret.
The lashes that fringed them, once a gentle caress, now seem to whisper apologies.

The tears that well up, like a bitter harvest, are the fruit of his own making.

His eyes, which once shone bright with love, now dim with the knowledge of what he's done.

The same eyes that once worshiped me now mourn the loss of our love, the destruction of our dreams.