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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Julian had left the warehouse, and I'd thrown myself into the work. Anything to keep my mind off Valentina, off the mess I'd left behind.
But no matter how many shipments I organized or how many calls I made, she was still there, haunting every thought.
I needed to forget.
I'd just started to think I could push through, that maybe I'd last the day, when my phone buzzed on the desk.
It was Julian.
- She won't eat. We've tried everything. You're our last option. You have to come to the hospital, Matteo.
My jaw clenched. I stared at the screen, the words blurring as I read them over and over.
I knew what it meant—if I didn't go, if I didn't try... I might lose her.
Fuck it.
I didn't want to go. I didn't want to face what I'd done, to see her like that again.
But I had to.
If there was any chance of saving her, even a slim one, I had to try.
I grabbed my keys, my mind racing as I drove to the hospital. The roads blurred under the weight of my thoughts, a sinking feeling settling deeper in my chest the closer I got.
When I finally arrived, I didn't hesitate. I pushed through the hospital doors, ignoring the sterile smell, the noise, everything.
I knew where I was going. I'd been there before. Her room was at the end of the hall.
I didn't know what I'd find when I opened that door, but I wasn't ready for the sight in front of me.
Valentina was lying in the hospital bed, her face pale, her lips cracked. The nurse was at her bedside, trying to coax her into eating, but Valentina just shook her head, her arms limp at her sides.
Her eyes were hollow, like the life had been drained out of her. I barely recognized her like this.
But then her eyes flicked toward the door—toward me—and something changed.
I saw it. That flicker of recognition, a small spark of life, like she wasn't completely lost yet.
Like maybe, just maybe, there was still something left to fight for. Her eyes lit up, the faintest glimmer of light in the darkness.
I stood frozen in the doorway, my heart pounding in my chest.
She saw me.
She knew I was here.
And in that moment, I knew I had to save her. I couldn't let her fade away. I couldn't let her slip through my fingers.
Julian noticed me standing there, and his face lit up with relief. He exchanged a quick glance with the nurse, who nodded, as if silently agreeing that it was time to give us space.
