Oblivion

38| Look at the stars, look how they shine

JOSEPHINE

The drive home was silent. Even Riccardo had turned off the radio, and while I couldn't gauge what was going on with the other two, I felt strangely at peace with myself. There were no more secrets. Nothing I had to hide.

All that remained was the shattered parts of me: the nightmares, the memories, the fear.

Riccardo parked the car, and we walked into the house without exchanging a word. Vito seemed to have been waiting for us; as soon as he saw us, concern etched across his face, he stood up. "Are you guys okay?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

I glanced at the two of them. The way they looked at their brother gave me a glimmer of hope that maybe things could get better. "I think you should talk alone," I replied quietly, feeling an ache in my chest. I needed space to breathe, to process everything that had just unfolded. And they needed it too.

As I climbed the stairs, the silence of the house hung heavily in the air, but I felt a strange lightness wash over me. Showing them where I came from felt liberating, even if just for a moment. It hadn't been easy, but now, I could breathe a little easier.

Once in my room, I closed the door and collapsed onto my bed, feeling tired. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push aside thoughts of the nightmares and dark memories that loomed like shadows in my mind. But they lingered stubbornly, ready to pounce.After a while a soft knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts.

 "Can I come in?" Valentino's voice called through the closed door, gentle yet cautious. I hesitated for a moment, then told him to come in. He opened the door and stepped inside, immediately casting his gaze downward, as if unsure how to approach me. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay," he said, sitting on the edge of my bed, his presence a comforting anchor. I nodded, though I wasn't entirely sure that was true. "You don't have to pretend in front of me, you know that, right?"

 His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, easing some of the tension I felt."I'm getting there," I murmured. "What about you?" 

 Valentino looked up, a faint smile on his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm okay. My ego is a bit bruised, but nothing permanent, so no worries." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm here if you want to talk, and I'll be here if you don't," he said quietly, his sincerity shining through. 

 "Thank you, Nino. I'm sorry for running off and causing you trouble. You didn't deserve that."

Valentino shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You don't have to apologize for needing space, Josephine. I should have paid better attention. I didn't realize how overwhelmed you were."

"I just—everything felt too much, and I panicked," I admitted, looking down at my hands. "I didn't mean to worry you."

"I know," he said softly. "But next time, just tell me. I want to be there for you, even when things get tough." He ruffled my hair playfully, a gesture that felt strangely comforting amidst the chaos. "Anyway, I have something prepared outside. Thinking back, I'm not sure if it was a good idea, but maybe you should see for yourself." He stood up and extended his hand to me, his eyes full of encouragement.

"What is it?" I asked, curiosity piqued despite the heaviness in my heart.

Valentino grinned slightly, mischief sparkling in his eyes—a welcome distraction. "You'll see outside. Come on, before it starts snowing again."

I followed him outside, my breath catching in my throat as I took in the sight of a campfire crackling in the fire pit. The sky was already dark and I could see the stars over us. "Are you roasting marshmallows or something? Why is there a fire here?" I stepped closer, feeling the warmth of the flames wrap around me, offering a brief reprieve from the cold.