Chapter 24: Waiting and Promise

Matteo helped me out of the car, gently supporting me as I held Leonardo even closer to me. Mila, already out, waited for me near the villa door, her features drawn with fatigue and worry. She turned to me with a fragile smile, but I could see in her eyes that she was just as terrified as I was.

The villa seemed surreal in the night—too calm, a cruel contrast to the chaos we had just fled. The large door opened before we had time to advance further, and Teresa, the housekeeper, appeared in the doorway, holding a lamp in her hand.

"Mrs. Valenti!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. She hurried toward us, her gaze moving immediately from my face to that of Leonardo, still warm and safe in my arms. "Thank God you're safe… I've been waiting for you with so much worry!"

I tried to smile, but my lips refused to comply. The reality of what we had just been through weighed too heavily on me.

"Matteo…" I began, but he cut me off, his voice firm.