INFINITO E OLTRE (IN ENGLISH)

CHAPTER 56

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3rd Person's POV:~

Her eyes are deceiving her. They have to be.

There is no other explanation for why Alessandro is here, in the same room, lying in the same bed as her, when they have not exchanged more than a few cold glances in a month.

His back is turned to her, his form curled slightly as he sleeps on his side. Ana props herself up on one elbow, hovering above him like an intruder in the night, though it is his presence that feels like the intrusion. She studies him, unable to tear her gaze away, as if he were a piece of priceless art displayed just for her — a masterpiece she has no right to touch but can not help admire.

He looks so serene, untouched by the weight of the world.

A rare, almost forgotten smile tugs at her lips as she takes in the peaceful expression on his face. When was the last time she smiled like this? She does not remember. But she is certain it was because of him. It is always because of him.

Slowly, almost without thinking, her hand moves toward him. She hesitates for a moment, afraid to wake him, but the temptation is too strong. Her fingers, trembling with anticipation, find their way into his dark hair, as though even the slightest pressure could break the fragile spell of this moment. She strokes the strands, careful, almost reverent, not to disturb her Sandro.

Her eyelids grow heavy, sleep tugging at her senses, but she forces them open, stealing a glance at the clock on the wall.

Eleven-fifty.

It is late — far later than Ana's usual bedtime — but this moment, this quiet, stolen piece of time, is too precious to let slip by. She can not afford to miss it because she does not know when, or if, it will ever happen again.

Minutes pass in the stillness of the room, her heart swelling with the quiet intimacy of simply being near him. She feels like she is finally breathing after drowning in silence for so long. Then, out of nowhere, the sharp ping of her phone cuts through the tranquillity.

Damn it, she curses inwardly. She should have put it on silent.

Ana’s eyes dart to Alessandro, checking to see if he has stirred. When she is sure he is still fast asleep, she grabs her phone and checks the notification. A message from Dino lights up the screen.

'Where are you? Did you forget we had to meet at twelve?'

Oh, shit!

She had forgotten. She was supposed to meet with Dino to finalize plans for Alessandro’s birthday tomorrow. But she had been so mesmerized, so lost in Alessandro’s presence, that it had completely slipped her mind.

In a panic, she throws the covers off and scrambles out of bed, her heart pounding with urgency. She rushes into the bathroom, splashes cold water on her face, and ties her hair into a messy bun. She slips on her slippers, ready to sneak out, but just as she is about to leave, something catches her eye.

His hand.

She stops in her tracks, her gaze falling on the fresh cut across his palm.

The stubborn fool did not even bother to bandage it. Typical Alessandro.

Sighing softly, Ana walks back to his side and kneels beside him, taking his injured hand in hers. The wound is still raw, still angry. He never cares for himself the way he should. Her fingers ghost over the cut, her heart aching for him. She leaves his side briefly, retrieving a bandage from the first aid kit in the bathroom, and returns to carefully dress the wound, her touch as light as a feather.