𝒫𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓃𝑒

Chapter 25

Eleanor spent the rest of the day in a haze of worry and confusion, the events of the morning replaying in her mind on an endless loop. Alessio's bloodstained shirt, his stern command to stay back, the way he had moved past her as if she were just another piece of furniture in the house—each memory stung more than the last.

She tried to busy herself with small tasks, anything to keep her mind off the gnawing concern. But no matter what she did, her thoughts kept circling back to Alessio. She wanted to confront him, to demand answers, but the fear of being dismissed again held her back. Instead, she stayed in her room, pacing the floor like a caged animal, waiting for something—anything—that would give her a clue about what had happened.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the windows, Eleanor finally heard movement in the hallway outside her door. Her heart leapt into her throat, and she rushed to the door, cracking it open just enough to peer out.

Marco was walking by, his usual calm demeanor intact, though his eyes betrayed a certain weariness. Without thinking, Eleanor stepped into the hallway, her voice low and urgent. "Marco, wait."

Marco turned, his expression softening when he saw her. "Bambina," he greeted her with his usual warmth, though there was a hint of something else in his eyes—something protective, almost paternal. "You should be resting."

"I can't rest," she replied, her voice tight with worry. "Not after what happened this morning. Please, Marco, tell me what's going on. Where's Alessio? Is he okay?"

Marco sighed, glancing around as if to make sure they were alone. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Alessio is fine, Eleanor. He's... handling things."

"Handling things?" Eleanor echoed, frustration creeping into her tone. "What does that even mean? He came back covered in blood, Marco! And then he just—he pushed me away."

Marco's eyes softened further, and he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know you're worried, but this is how it has to be sometimes. Alessio is... different. He carries the weight of this entire organization on his shoulders. It's not easy for him to let people in, even those he cares about."

Eleanor's heart skipped a beat at the implication of Marco's words, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. "But he doesn't have to do it alone. I just want to help, to be there for him."

Marco's smile was sad, almost resigned. "That's what makes you special, Eleanor. You see past the walls he's built, but you have to understand—those walls are there for a reason. He's protecting you, in his own way."

Eleanor swallowed hard, trying to push back the tears that threatened to spill over. "I don't want his protection if it means being shut out."

Before Marco could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. Eleanor and Marco both turned to see Alessio approaching, his face a mask of barely controlled anger. His shirt was clean now, but the tension in his body was palpable. He didn't even seem to notice Eleanor as he passed by, his focus solely on Marco.

"We need to talk," Alessio said brusquely, his eyes locked on Marco.

Marco nodded, but before he could follow Alessio, Eleanor stepped forward, her voice shaky but determined. "Alessio, please..."

Alessio stopped, his eyes flicking to her for the briefest of moments. There was something unreadable in his gaze, something that made Eleanor's heartache with both fear and longing. But he said nothing, just turned, and continued down the hall, Marco following silently behind him.

Eleanor stood there, frozen, the rejection cutting deeper than she had expected. She watched them disappear around the corner, feeling more alone than ever. The house, once a place of comfort, now felt cold and uninviting.