It broke halfway.
“I’m sorry.”
Again.
“I’m sorry.”
Again and again until my throat burned raw and my chest felt hollowed out, like something inside me had finally given up trying to survive.
Then Lena suddenly stood.
She swayed slightly, one hand clutching her stomach.
“Vincenzo… something’s wrong,” she whispered, voice shaking perfectly. “My stomach… I think I’m bleeding…”
And just like that—
She collapsed straight into his arms.
Flawless.
Like she had practiced it.
Vincenzo caught her instantly, holding her like she was the only thing keeping the world intact.
“Lena… amor!” His voice cracked as he cupped her face. “Stay with me. Look at me. Don’t close your eyes. Breathe… just breathe.”
Her eyelids fluttered weakly, like she was fading away.
“Vincenzo… I’m scared…”
His head snapped toward the hallway.
“Get the car—NOW!” he roared, voice shaking the entire house.
I remained on my knees.
Blood slowly soaked through the fabric of my pants, warm and sticky against my skin. My hands were torn up, trembling, and somewhere deep inside my chest, Gabriel’s name kept echoing like a wound that refused to close.