Shadows of Affection (GxG)

Chapter 45: Fractured Bonds

Alessia had been in France for nearly three weeks now, one week longer than originally planned. What was supposed to be a quick negotiation had dragged into something far more complicated. The leaders of the French mafia, Les Loups Noirs, were proving to be a greater challenge than Alessia had anticipated. Their shifting alliances and veiled threats kept her on high alert, leaving little time for anything else. Every moment of every day was dedicated to securing her position and outmaneuvering potential enemies.

But this constant strain was taking its toll.

The late nights, endless meetings, and constant strategising had made her more guarded and suspicious, not just of those around her but of everyone. Alessia rarely slept, and when she did, it was light and restless. Her frustration grew by the day, bubbling under the surface like a simmering volcano ready to erupt. The pressure was immense, and her connection to Lily, which had always been her anchor, now felt like it was slipping through her fingers.

Video calls with Lily had become infrequent, reduced to stolen moments in between high-stakes meetings. And when they did manage to connect, Alessia found herself unintentionally lashing out, her words sharper than she intended, her patience thin. She hated that the frustration of the situation was bleeding into her relationship, but it was happening despite her efforts to contain it.

Tonight was no different.

Alessia sat in her temporary office, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose as she stared at the screen in front of her. Lily's soft face appeared, her expression hopeful and warm, but Alessia could barely bring herself to focus.

"Hey, baby," Lily greeted with a small smile. "How's everything?"

"Same," Alessia replied curtly, her tone flat.

Lily's smile faltered slightly. "Are you okay? You seem...tired."

Alessia let out a sigh, rubbing her temples. "I don't have time to talk about how I'm feeling right now, Lily. There's too much going on."

Lily blinked, her brow furrowing in concern. "I wasn't asking for a deep conversation, just—"

"I know what you were asking," Alessia snapped, cutting her off. "But I'm swamped, and I don't have time to sit here and... whatever this is."

Lily's face fell. "Whatever this is? Alessia, I'm just trying to check in with you. You barely have time for us anymore."

"Because I'm trying to fix everything here!" Alessia shot back, her voice rising. "Do you think I enjoy not being there with you? I don't have the luxury of putting things off when I'm the one responsible for making sure everything doesn't fall apart!"

Lily swallowed, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I know you're under pressure, but you don't have to take it out on me."

"I'm not taking it out on you!" Alessia's voice was sharp, but even she could hear the frustration seeping into every word.

Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Lily looked away from the screen, hurt radiating from her posture. Alessia wanted to take it all back, to soften her tone and tell Lily she was sorry, that she didn't mean to push her away. But the words got stuck in her throat, weighed down by her own anger and exhaustion.

"I'm sorry," Alessia muttered, her tone barely softer, though it didn't carry the apology it should have. She was still too caught up in her own mess to properly make things right.

Lily nodded, though the pain in her eyes remained. "Just... let me know when you have time to talk."

The call ended with a simple "Goodnight," but neither of them felt any sense of closure.