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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After what felt like forever sitting on the couch, my eyes flickered to the hallway as Julian finally walked out of Matteo's room. I sat up quickly, my stomach a knot of nerves.
Julian looked worn out, his usual calm demeanor cracked just a bit.
"Matteo's gonna be fine," he said quietly, but firmly. "He'll talk to you soon."
I nodded, though the tightness in my chest didn't ease at all. "Thanks," I mumbled, my voice rough from crying.
My body felt drained, like I had nothing left inside me.
Julian gave me a long look, his eyes soft with understanding. "Take care of yourself, Val," he said, sounding genuine. He squeezed my shoulder gently before heading for the door.
"Bye," I whispered as he left, the door clicking softly behind him.
The silence that followed was heavy, pressing down on me from every angle. I leaned back into the couch, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
My tears had dried, but the ache in my chest hadn't gone anywhere.
I kept replaying the scene over and over—Matteo on the floor, the shattered phone, the powder. None of it made sense.
None of it felt real.
I don't know how long I sat there, lost in my thoughts, before I heard soft footsteps. I looked up, and there he was—Matteo, finally emerging from his room.
He looked... better, but not by much. His eyes were still tired, his face pale, but there was a steadiness to his steps that hadn't been there earlier.
Matteo sat next to me, his face a mess of regret and frustration. He wouldn't even look at me. My heart felt heavy, like it was sinking deeper the longer the silence dragged on.
"Val..." he finally muttered, his voice low and hoarse, like he didn't know how to start. "I'm sorry."
I looked away, feeling a lump rise in my throat. I wasn't sure if it was anger, hurt, or just pure confusion overwhelming me. "You're sorry?" I repeated, my voice trembling. "That's it?"
His shoulders slumped as if he didn't know what else to say. "I didn't mean for you to see me like that," he said quietly, sounding lost. "I don't even know what the fuck I was thinking."
I stared at the floor, trying to pull my emotions together, but it was hard. Seeing him like that, finding him in his room so messed up—it had shattered something inside me.
I had never seen him so broken before, and it scared me.
Matteo must've sensed the distance between us because, out of nowhere, he shifted closer and reached for me, his hand wrapping around my arm gently.
"Please... don't pull away," he murmured, his voice softer this time. "I'm sorry, Val. I didn't mean for any of this."
I felt his hand tighten slightly, and the warmth of his touch almost broke through my defenses. But I couldn't let him off that easily.
