Shadows of Affection (GxG)

Chapter 49: Fragmented Reflections

The quiet hum of the machines filled the room, their rhythmic beeps a steady reminder that Alessia was still alive. Lily sat by the window, surrounded by a sea of paperwork—contracts, ledgers, and reports tied to the Sorento Mafia's operations. Her fingers worked methodically, though her mind felt like it was miles away. Dark circles framed her weary eyes, and her once steady hands trembled faintly from exhaustion.

She glanced at Alessia, her heart aching as it did every day. Alessia, her vibrant and fierce fiancée, lay unmoving in the bed. Her olive skin had paled, and her once sharp, calculating eyes remained closed. Lily let out a soft sigh, turning back to her work to distract herself from the ache in her chest.

But then, a faint rustle broke through the silence.

Lily's head snapped up, papers forgotten as her eyes darted to the bed. Alessia's fingers twitched against the blanket.

"Alessia?" Lily's voice was barely a whisper, disbelief and hope warring in her tone. She scrambled to her feet, the chair screeching as it skidded back.

Alessia's eyelids fluttered, her lashes casting faint shadows against her cheeks. Her lips parted slightly as if trying to form words, but none came. Slowly, her eyes opened, unfocused and glassy, struggling to adjust to the light.

"Alessia...baby." Lily's voice cracked with emotion as she rushed to her side, grasping her hand gently. "You're awake. Oh my God, you're awake."

Alessia's gaze drifted to Lily, her brow furrowing. She stared for a moment, her expression vacant, then confused.

"Who...?" Alessia's voice was raspy, her throat dry and weak.

Lily's breath hitched. "It's me. Lily. Your fiancée."

The word hung in the air, heavy and unfamiliar. Alessia's face twisted in confusion. "Fiancée?" She repeated the word like it was foreign. Her eyes searched Lily's face, desperate to grasp onto some thread of recognition, but there was nothing.

"I don't...I don't remember you," Alessia murmured, her voice laced with guilt and frustration.

The words hit Lily like a physical blow, knocking the air from her lungs. Her grip on Alessia's hand faltered, trembling as tears welled up in her eyes.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "It's okay. You've been through a lot. I'm here, Alessia. I'll help you remember. I'll remind you of everything."

Alessia's frown deepened, her eyes darting around the room as if trying to piece together a puzzle. "I...I don't remember anything. I feel like there's something—someone—I should know, but..." She trailed off, her voice breaking. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise." Lily's voice trembled as she forced a smile through her tears. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm just so glad you're awake."

Alessia's gaze lingered on her, her expression softening slightly at Lily's words. Something about her presence felt...comforting. Familiar. But the memories remained locked away, just out of reach.

"I'll give you time," Lily whispered, stroking Alessia's hand gently. "I'll give you all the time you need."

But as Alessia drifted back into an uneasy sleep, the weight of the moment became too much. Lily stayed by her side for a while, silently brushing tears from her cheeks, before quietly excusing herself.

Once outside the room, Lily collapsed against the hallway wall, her hands covering her face. The sobs she'd been holding back erupted, raw and unrelenting. She slid to the floor, her body shaking as the pain tore through her.