A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER LII

On the other hand, Matteo stumbled into his house, feeling an emptiness that mirrored the coldness of the bricks around him. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of his heartache was physically dragging him down. He moved through the dimly lit halls, the shadows reflecting the turmoil within him, until he finally reached his bedroom.

The familiar space felt foreign now. The warmth that once filled it with memories of laughter and love had dissipated, replaced by a chilling sense of loss. Matteo sank onto the bed, burying his face in the sheets that still held the lingering scent of Isabella. The familiar fragrance only intensified his longing, and before he knew it, tears streamed down his cheeks.

He cried, feeling utterly defeated. The thought of losing Isabella was unbearable. She was his only love, the one person who brought light into his otherwise dark world. In the silence of his room, he felt the weight of his regret crashing down on him. He wished he could turn back time, to erase the moments that led to this painful separation.

Matteo’s heart ached as he recalled the warmth of her embrace, the softness of her laughter, and the way she looked at him with such hope and affection. Now, that warmth felt like a distant memory, slipping away from him like sand through his fingers.

He whispered her name, the sound heavy with sorrow, as if calling out to her would somehow bridge the chasm that had opened between them. “Isabella…”

With each sob, he felt his love for her deepen, mixing with a fear that he might never have the chance to tell her how he truly felt. It was a love that had grown in the shadows, nurtured by stolen moments and shared dreams, but now it seemed to fade away, leaving him in a cold, dark reality he couldn’t bear to face alone.

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The morning light filtered through the curtains of Isabella’s apartment, but it brought her no comfort. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind replaying the events of the night before. The tears from her heartache had dried, but the heaviness in her chest remained, a constant reminder of the pain she felt.

She groaned softly, wishing she could pull the covers over her head and escape from reality. But deep down, she knew there were patients depending on her, and as much as she wanted to wallow in her sorrow, she couldn’t abandon them. They needed her, and that thought pushed her out of bed and into the shower.

As she was getting ready, her phone buzzed. It was Andria checking in. “Hey, Isabella! Did you get any sleep? How are you feeling?”

Isabella forced a smile at her friend’s concern, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m okay, just tired. I’ll be fine,” she replied, trying to sound upbeat, but the heaviness in her voice betrayed her.

Andria paused on the other end, sensing the underlying sadness. “Are you sure? You don’t have to push yourself. It’s okay to take a day off if you need it.”

“No, really,” Isabella insisted, shaking her head even though Andria couldn’t see her. “I need to be there. There are patients who need me.”

“Alright, but remember, I’m just a call away. If you need anything, even just to talk, I’m here,” Andria said, her tone softening with genuine concern.

“Thanks, Andria. I appreciate it,” Isabella said, grateful for her friend’s unwavering support. After hanging up, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead.

She dressed quickly, her mind racing with thoughts of Matteo and the turmoil of their last encounter. But she couldn’t afford to dwell on it. As she made her way to the hospital, she focused on her patients, knowing they were her priority.

The hospital was bustling with activity when she arrived. She slipped into her scrubs, and the familiar scent of antiseptic and the sounds of nurses and doctors at work began to ease her troubled mind. It was a relief to immerse herself in her duties, even if just for a little while.

However, as she moved from patient to patient, every smile and grateful word reminded her of the joy she used to find in life, now tinged with sadness. She kept her emotions in check, not allowing herself to think of Matteo, even as the ache in her heart grew heavier with each passing moment.

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Matteo entered his office, the weight of the previous night still heavy on his shoulders. He spotted Mia at her desk, her cheerful smile a stark contrast to his turmoil. “Good morning, Matteo! You look tired,” she said, her voice light and casual.

Matteo forced a smile, carefully crafting an air of professionalism. “Just a long night,” he replied, hoping his tone didn’t reveal the storm brewing inside him. He knew Mia had betrayed him, but he had no intention of letting her see the truth in his eyes. If she suspected that he was onto her, everything would crumble.

As Mia chatted about the day’s agenda, Matteo kept his responses short and focused. Inside, he was strategizing, analysing every interaction. He had to play his cards right, appearing unbothered while silently plotting his next move. He couldn’t afford to let her see any cracks in his facade.

Meanwhile, as Mia continued her innocent chatter, Matteo’s mind raced. He recalled the moment he had discovered her betrayal—how she had met with Carter and shared sensitive information that could undermine his business. The betrayal stung, but he refused to show any weakness.

“Mia, do you have the reports ready for the BK.Co meeting?” he asked, shifting the conversation back to business.

“Oh, of course! I’ll get those to you right away,” she responded, unaware of the storm brewing beneath Matteo’s calm exterior. As she left the room, Matteo took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead.

He knew he had to keep his enemies close, and Mia was no exception. With every move he made, he would ensure that she remained in the dark about his knowledge and intentions. He wouldn’t let her derail everything he had worked for, not now.