When we finally pull apart, both slightly breathless, I look into my husband's eyes and I'm shocked by the emotion shining in them.
"You should rest," he says softly, hand still on my cheek. "It's been a long day."
I nod, suddenly feeling the weight of exhaustion. As Cesare helps me lie down, adjusting pillows to make me comfortable, I feel peace I haven't experienced in a long time.
"Stay with me?" I ask, surprising myself with the request.
Cesare nods, settling into the chair beside the bed. "Of course. I'll be right here."
As I drift off to sleep, I can't help but wonder at how much has changed. The fear and uncertainty that have been my constant companions for so long seem to have lessened, replaced by cautious hope.
For the first time since our wedding, I feel like maybe, just maybe, this marriage could be more than just an arrangement.
Maybe, with Cesare by my side, I could find not just safety, but happiness too.
As I sit in bed, bored but grateful to be alive, I hear a soft knock at the door. "Come in," I call out, curious to see who it is.
Cesare said he had work to attend to this morning, that he and Lorenzo would be gone, and he'd be bringing both Ciro and Giovanni with him.
The door opens to reveal Sofia and Valentina, Cesare's youngest daughters. They hover uncertainly in the doorway, looking uncharacteristically nervous.
"Can we come in?" Sofia asks hesitantly.
I nod, gesturing for them to enter. "Of course. Please, sit."
The girls make their way into the room, perching awkwardly on the edge of the bed. There's tense silence before Valentina speaks up.
"We wanted to see how you were doing," she says, voice softer than I've ever heard it. "And... to apologize again. For how we've treated you."
I'm taken aback by the sincerity in her tone. "Thank you," I say carefully. "I appreciate that."
Sofia fidgets with the hem of her shirt. "We didn't know... about your father," she says quietly. "If we had?—"
"It's okay," I interrupt gently. "You couldn't have known. I didn't want anyone to know."
Valentina looks up at me, eyes shining with unshed tears. "But we should have been kinder. We were so angry about you replacing our mom, we didn't even try to get to know you."
Her words hit hard. I've been so focused on my own pain and fears, I hadn't fully considered how difficult this situation must be for them.
"I understand," I say softly. "Losing your mother must have been incredibly hard. And then having a stranger come into your home... I can't imagine how that felt."
Sofia nods, wiping at her eyes. "We miss her so much," she admits. "And when Dad married you, it felt like... like he was trying to erase her."
I reach out, tentatively taking Sofia's hand. To my surprise, she doesn't pull away. "I'm not here to replace your mother," I say firmly. "I could never do that, and I wouldn't want to. Your mother will always be part of your family."
Valentina looks at me curiously. "Then why are you here? I mean, we know it was arranged, but..."
I take a deep breath, considering how to answer. "At first, it was just about the arrangement," I admit. "But now... I careabout your father. And I'd like to care about all of you too, if you'll let me."
The girls exchange a look, seeming to have a silent conversation. Finally, Sofia turns back to me. "We'd like that," she says softly. "To try, at least."
Relief washes over me. "I'd like that too," I say, smiling at them both.
"How are you feeling?" Sofia asks, glancing at my injuries.
"Better," I say, shifting to find a more comfortable position. "Still sore, but healing. The doctors say I should be back to normal in a few weeks."
Valentina nods, eyes lingering on the fading bruises on my neck. "Does it hurt a lot?" she asks hesitantly.
