Silent love

Chapter 35

On the previous chapter...

I nodded once and made my way toward the door. But before I could step out, his voice stopped me. 

"Yaqueline".

I turned, meeting his gaze. 

His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes, almost hesitant. "Thank you".

It was just two words, but coming from Federico, they carried more weight than most people's entire apologies. 

A small smile tugged at my lips before I turned away, stepping into the hallway. 

The moment I reached downstairs, I could feel it. The shift in the air. The heavy tension sitting in the room like a thick fog. 

Everyone was already at the table. Immanuel and the twins. Plates sat half-eaten in front of them, but no one was really focused on the food. 

It was suffocating. 

I pulled out a chair, the scrape of wood against the floor cutting through the silence. I wasn't even sure if anyone was going to acknowledge me, but their eyes flickered toward me, some longer than others. 

Yeah. This was going to be an interesting morning.

ʚ FEDERICO'S POV ɞ

The hallway was quiet as I walked toward Fiorenzo's room.

I hesitated for a brief second before knocking twice. 

No answer. 

I pushed the door open. 

Fiorenzo was sitting by the window, back turned to me, one leg pulled up onto the chair. The light from outside barely touched his face, but I could still see the tension in his shoulders. He had heard me come in. He just didn't acknowledge it. 

I walked over to the desk chair and sat down across from him, studying him. He looked like he hadn't slept much. His hair was messy, his eyes tired. 

"You're still mad". I said. 

And I don't blame him.

Fiorenzo finally turned his head slightly, just enough to glance at me. "I don't know if that is the right word".

I leaned back, stretching my legs out. "Then what is?"

He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. "I don't know, Rico. I just-". He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I just don't get it. The way you do things. The way you handle everything like it's all on you".

I looked away for a moment, staring at the floor. "Because it is".

Fiorenzo frowned. "No, it's not".

"You think it isn't, but it is". I exhaled slowly. "Do you know why I do things the way I do? Why I make the choices I make?"

He stayed silent, waiting. 

I met his gaze, steady and unflinching. "To protect you. To protect all of you".

That's all I have done my whole life.

They won't realizes it now, but one day they will understand. They will understand why I did some things the way I did.

Something flickered in his expression, something uncertain. "By keeping us out of everything? By making decisions without us?"

"By making sure you never had to make those decisions". My voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it. "Because the second you step into this world the way I have, you don't come back out".