In the heart of a modern city, two rival families hold the power. Valentina, a fiercely loyal daughter, and Matteo, a cunning and determined son, find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous feud. But when their paths unexpectedly intertwine, th...
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Matteo drove us back to my house in silence. I could feel the tension in the car, but I didn't have the energy to say anything.
My hand throbbed, but the pain in my chest was worse. I stared out the window, trying to block out the memories of the dinner and the way Greta had looked at Matteo. The way he looked back.
When we got home, Matteo helped me inside and sat me down on the couch, gently taking my hand to clean and bandage it.
His movements were slow, almost careful, like he was scared of breaking me even more than I already was.
After he finished, he looked at me, his eyes filled with worry. "Why were you crying earlier, Val?" he asked softly, his voice gentle but firm, like he needed to know.
I stayed quiet at first, my throat tightening, but the way he looked at me—worried and patient—made it impossible to keep it in any longer.
My voice came out shaky, barely above a whisper. "I... I try so hard for you, Matteo. I just... I want to be the type of girl you want."
His hands paused for a second, and he looked up at me, confusion flickering across his face. "What do you mean?"
"I saw the way you looked at Greta," I continued, swallowing hard, my voice thick with emotion. "She's... she's everything. She's Italian, she's beautiful, and she's the kind of girl everyone expects you to be with. And I'm not. I'm not her. I saw it in your face, Matteo. You don't have to say anything. I know I'm not enough for you."
Matteo stared at me, his eyes wide, like he didn't understand what I was saying. "Val—"
I cut him off, my voice breaking. "I know you'd never pick a girl like me. You wouldn't have even looked at me if it weren't for our parents. I saw the way you looked at her, Matteo. You want someone like her... not someone like me."
He shook his head, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Is that why you hurt yourself?" he asked, his voice quiet, like he was scared of the answer.
I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. "I just wanted to feel something. Anything to take away the pain in my head. It wouldn't stop, and I didn't know what else to do."
Matteo didn't say anything for a moment. Then, without warning, he pulled me into a tight hug, wrapping his arms around me as if he was trying to protect me from everything.
His voice trembled as he whispered, "I didn't know you were feeling this way."
I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let me. His grip only tightened, holding me even closer. "I only want you, Valentina. Not Greta, not anyone else. Just you. Don't cry over me. I'm not worth this pain, and you don't deserve to hurt like this."
I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. I let them fall as I buried my face into his chest, letting the warmth of his embrace soothe the ache in my heart.
