(Elena POV)
The silence after the knock didn't feel like relief It felt worse Like something was waiting.
Watching.
My chest tightened Again.
"They're gone," Matteo said, but his voice didn't sound convinced.
"They're not," Alessandro replied.
That was it That was all it took.
My breathing started to change Too fast.
Too shallow.
"I… I can't…" I whispered.
Luca looked down at me immediately. "Hey… breathe."
I tried I really did But the air felt stuck Like it wouldn't go in properly.
"They're outside," I said, my voice shaking. "They're still there, I know they are, I can feel it—"
"Look at me," Luca said gently.
I shook my head.
"I can't—"
"Look at me," he repeated, softer this time. Slowly… I did.
His eyes were calm Steady Grounding.
"Breathe with me," he said.
I tried to follow him.
In.
Out.
But it wasn't working. My chest hurt now.
Tight Burning.
"I can't breathe," I whispered, panic rising fully now.
Before I knew it, I was holding onto him completely.
Not just his arm this time.
Him.
My hands clutched his shirt, pulling closer like if I let go, something bad would happen.
"I've got you," he said quietly, his arms wrapping around me properly now.
That did something. Not enough. But something.
"Focus on me," he continued. "Just me."
I nodded weakly against him. His hand moved slowly up and down my back. Steady. Reassuring
"You're okay," he said. "Nothing is happening right now."
"But it will," I whispered.
"Not while we're here."
We.
That word hit differently now.
My breathing slowly started to match his.
Not perfect. But better.
"I'm scared," I admitted quietly.
"I know."
His voice didn't change. Didn't judge. Didn't rush me And for some reason… That made everything worse. Because I felt safe enough to feel everything.
Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them.
"I don't understand any of this," I said, my voice breaking. "I didn't do anything, I just came here and now—"
"You're not alone," he said.
That broke me, Completely , I buried my face against him, my grip tightening as the tears finally fell , And he didn't move, Didn't pull away.
He just held me Across the room, I could feel it.
The tension.
Alessandro. Matteo. Watching.
But for once… I didn't care.
Because right now… I needed this.
"I don't want to be here," I whispered.
"I know."
"I want things to go back to normal."
His hand paused slightly.
"They won't," he said honestly.
That hurt.
But it was the truth.
And somehow… That made me trust him more.
I pulled back slightly, just enough to look at him.
His face was calm. But closer now.
Much closer.
"Stay with me," I whispered.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Something in my chest tightened again, But not from panic, From something else.
Something softer.
Before I could think about it—
I moved. My hand slid up slightly, holding onto him as I leaned in.
And kissed him.
Soft, Uncertain, Emotional Just… needed.For a second…
He froze, Then he responded Not forceful Not intense, Careful.
Like he knew I was fragile in that moment.
When I pulled back, my breathing was uneven again.
But different this time.
"I don't know why I did that," I whispered.
"You don't have to," he replied.That made my chest tighten again.
I leaned into him once more, weaker now.
Tired. Drained.
"Stay," I murmured.
"I'm here."
And that was the last thing I heard.
Before everything faded.
When I woke up… I wasn't in the living room anymore.
I was lying down.
Covered.
Safe. Luca was still there.
Sitting close.
Watching quietly.
And across the room…
Alessandro stood by the window.
Matteo leaned against the wall.
Both silent.Both watching And somehow…
Everything felt even more complicated than before.
⸻
Was that kiss just comfort… or did Elena just change everything between them? 👀