Chapter 28: Nina
The sun was setting gently, casting golden hues on the villa's walls. The seemingly tranquil evening felt almost deceptive, as if the air carried an invisible tension. Alessandro and I sat in the living room, savoring a rare moment of respite. Leo slept peacefully in my arms, his tiny fingers clutching my dress unconsciously.
Alessandro, seated beside me, reached out to gently caress our son's cheek. His gaze, usually hard and calculating, had softened. "He's so small," he murmured, almost to himself. "And yet, every day, he reminds me why I fight."
I looked up at him, moved by his words. "You're not alone, Alessandro. We're here—Leo and I. We're fighting together."
He offered a rare but sincere smile before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. The moment felt perfect, almost too perfect to last.