Page 80 of Alessia
“Lorenzo, you don’t understand,” I say, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Every time she closes her eyes, she’s back there. And I’m the only one who can pull her out.”
“And you won’t be able to pull her out if you collapse from exhaustion,” Lorenzo counters firmly. He steps closer, his presence grounding yet unyielding.
“You’re running on fumes, sis. Harper needs you, yes. But she needs you to be strong, not a walking zombie.”
I clench my fists at my sides, trying to fight the irrational anger bubbling up. He’s right, and I hate it. “I can’t just—”
Bella steps forward, her voice soft but decisive.
“It’s not abandoning her to take care of yourself. You’ve done everything for her, but if you don’t rest, what happens when she needs you the most? Let Lorenzo help. Let us help.”
I glance between them, my resolve wavering. They’ve always had a knack for breaking through my walls. I look back at the door, hearing Harper’s faint murmurs through the thin wood. The weight of it all presses harder against my chest.
“Just a shower,” I mutter, caving, though the guilt already gnaws at me. “And a nap, maybe. But you have to call me if she needs me. I mean it, if she so much as stirs—”
“I promise,” Lorenzo interrupts, his hand resting on my shoulder. “Go. We’ll be here.”
Bella gently loops her arm through mine. Her warmth feels foreign, almost startling, after days of living in Harper’s icy anguish. She gives me a small smile, a reassuring one. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
I glance back one more time as we walk down the hall. My heart twists, a part of me screaming to stay, but my body is screaming louder. For now, I have to trust them.
As we exit the building, the cold air hits me, a sharp contrast to the heavy atmosphere inside Harper’s room. Bella leads me to her car, and for the first time in days, I sit still, letting someone else take the wheel.
“She’ll be okay,” Bella says softly as we pull onto the road.
I nod, staring out the window, hoping she’s right.
We walk into my apartment; it feels foreign after being away from here for over a month. Carmen rushes over as soon as I’m out of the elevator and hugs me. It isn’t something we used to do but her warmth feels like it’s just the thing I need right now.
“I’ll make you some of that Risotto you love.” She says as she releases me from the hug. A small comforting smile on her face.
“I would like that. Can you make a little extra for Lorenzo and Harper? I’ll take it with me when I go back there.” I reply.
“Of course, Ma’am, I’ll have it ready for you in half an hour.”
Bella takes my hand and leads me down the hallway to my bedroom and into the bathroom.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, okay sis?”
I nod and follow after her.
She runs the bath and it fills the air with steam and a lavender scent.
“I’ll leave you to it then…” she trails off when the bath is full and turns to walk away.
“Fioro?” I call her, my little pet name for her.
Bella turns around and faces me, “Yes, sis?”
“Thank you, I know I’m not an easy person to take care of, and I don’t say this enough…” I start.
“You don’t have to thank me; it’s what sisters do.” She interrupts.
“Yes,” I continue, “I do have to thank you, for always being here for me… I love you, fioro piccolo.” I give her a small smile.
“I love you too, big sis.” Then she walks out, leaving me to take care of myself for the first time in weeks.
The water went cold before I decided to get out of the tub. I put on my robe and walk over to the bed to get under the covers. Just a little nap won’t hurt. I grab my phone and check my messages, there are a few notifications on my screen.
