His fragile obsession

Chapter 2

Fiona’s Fragility

The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the city as Fiona Hayes hurried down the narrow cobblestone streets. The weight of the day’s events pressed heavily on her, and she felt a familiar tightness in her chest. She had always been delicate, ever since she was a child—prone to bouts of anxiety, easily overwhelmed by the world around her. But today had been especially taxing.

Fiona had moved to Italy a few months ago, seeking a fresh start far from the small Irish town where she had grown up. She needed distance from her overbearing father, Patrick Hayes, and the suffocating expectations he had placed on her. In this new city, she hoped to find a sense of peace, to build a life that was truly her own.

But life in Italy had not been as easy as she had imagined. The language was a barrier, and the fast-paced, bustling environment often left her feeling lost and alone. Still, she tried to stay positive, finding solace in the little things—a cup of coffee at the corner café, a quiet walk through the park, and most of all, the friendship she had struck up with a kind local woman.

Valentina Caruso was everything Fiona was not—confident, bold, and full of life. They had met by chance at a bookstore, and despite their differences, they had quickly become friends. Valentina had taken Fiona under her wing, introducing her to the city and offering a sense of security in a place that often felt overwhelming.

Today, Valentina had taken her to a lively market, the kind that bustled with life, where the air was thick with the scent of fresh bread and ripe fruit. It was beautiful, vibrant, but also a sensory overload for Fiona. She had tried to keep up, smiling and laughing with Valentina, but it was clear that her friend was in her element while Fiona struggled to keep her anxiety at bay.

As they had walked through the market, Fiona noticed a group of men standing at a distance, their eyes trained on her. She had felt a shiver run down her spine, and when she turned to Valentina, she saw the same men watching her friend with a mixture of respect and wariness. Fiona had tried to dismiss it as her imagination, but the feeling of unease lingered.

Now, back in her small apartment, Fiona let out a sigh of relief as she closed the door behind her, shutting out the world. She leaned against the door, closing her eyes and taking slow, deep breaths to calm herself.

She moved to the kitchen, where she prepared a simple cup of tea, hoping it would