il mio primo e ultimo amore

Tristo Mietitore

TW Torture.

Vincenzo comes out of the doctor's room, shaken to the core, eyes burning and meets Maria standing in the corner looking down.

"The fetus is fragile; further risky actions could harm it. "

The doctor's words echo in his mind as he locks eyes with Maria, who acknowledges his presence.

His blood simmers, and without waiting for her response, he delivers the news: "She's pregnant."

The lack of surprise in Maria's eyes fuels his anger, a mercury-like surge through his veins.

Calmly, he confronts her, "So you knew."

She stammers, attempting to explain, but he silences her with a raised hand. Disappointment etches his features.

"You divulged everything to her—understandable. You supported her decision to fly to Korea, despite the possibility of her being pregnant?" His voice rises, catching the attention of a passing nurse.

"This is strike 2, Maria, because Strike 1 was when you were careless and she got shot!" Maria clenches her hands nervously.

"And then, your lack of vigilance allowed her to slip away unnoticed. Is sleep your priority, or should it be Signora Cassano!?" He shouts at her, anger reaching its peak, and she whimpers, tears streaming down her face. "That's strike 3!"

Vincenzo sighs, running a hand through his hair.

"You're returning to Italy."

Maria looks up again, shaking her head.

"You're dismissed, Maria," he says, his tone final and commanding, leaving her standing there, alone.

He walks briskly to the room, where Cha Young is, composing himself and letting out a deep breath, hand on the door handle, heart pounding wildly.

He opens the door, and is greeted by her sight on the bed, smiling slightly at a piece of paper in hand.

She notices his presence, but doesn't look at him, choosing to still look at the sonogram–Vincenzo realizes as he moves closer to her.

As he approaches, Vincenzo realizes the weight of everything that's transpired.

Yet, in this moment, he sets aside anger and worry, allowing himself to let celebrate this God gifted blissful instant amidst the storm and chaos.

He caresses her cheeks, her jaw before moving his hand to cradle her head and places a kiss on forehead.

His lips are warm against her skin and after a beat, he withdraws, studying her closely before choosing to settle down on the chair beside her bed.

Her gaze remains on him and once he's seated, she takes his hand and caresses it.

He looks at her, and her eyes speak everything.

His heart skips a beat and he smiles which she quickly reciprocates with her own.

They bask in each other's presence, eyes conveying everything.

In this quiet communion, words become superfluous.

She keeps caressing his hand with her small one and then picks up the sonogram from her lap and studies it with tenderness.

Despite the drawn curtains and the solitary lamp casting its glow, she radiates warmth and glows brightly.

He stands up and kisses her on her forehead again and he's withdrawing when her hand laced with IV's latches at her collar to pull him in a kiss.