Silent love

Chapter 39

On the previous chapter...

"You're staring". He said, his voice low and casual, as if nothing had just transpired in front of us.

I swallowed hard, trying to find the words but struggling to do so. The image of Enzo's lifeless body at the table was still burned into my mind.

"I thought we..." I trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentence.

What could I possibly say after witnessing that?

Federico raised a brow but didn't respond immediately. Instead, he took a slow breath, wiping off the last bit of blood from the blade before slipping it back into the sheath with a smooth, practiced motion.

"We do what we have to do". He said simply, his tone unreadable.

I nodded silently, still reeling from the quickness of it all.

The air felt thicker around us, the silence between us more loaded than I had expected.

"Come on". Federico said, standing up with a casual ease, brushing his suit down as though nothing had happened. "We're leaving".

I stood up and followed him, with a wondering mind.

How far will they take this path of vengeance and power?

Where would it take us?

ʚ FEDERICO'S POV ɞ

The car ride back was silent. Not awkward. Not heavy with tension.

Just quiet. The kind of quiet that made every breath feel like it took up too much space.

I didn't look at her, and she didn't look at me.

Good.

It was better that way.

Easier to hold onto the calm, to not let anything slip.

The moment the front door opened, I didn't stop to acknowledge anyone. Didn't make eye contact. I stepped inside and went straight for the stairs.

"You're back early". Someone said behind me.

I couldn't tell who.

It didn't matter since I my hands are dirty with blood.

I kept walking. The only thing I focused on was the steps and the blood. I didn't touch the railing.

I never did, obviously.

God knows how many hands had been on it today. How many people breathed into their palms, scratched their noses, and then touched it without a second thought.

There is a big chance that I have blood on my sleeves too. But I'm not going to check it.

I won't check it.

Because if I checked it, I'm going to see it. And if I'm going to see it, I will loose my mind.

I will spiral.

I made it to my room. Closed the door and locked it.

The jacket came off first. Careful. I held it away from my body, arms stiff.

I closed my eyes for a second and took a deep breath.

I have to check my sleeves.

I scanned the sleeves for the dried patches of red I knew were there.