“How are you feeling?”
She laughs. “Like I got kidnapped by a lunatic.”
“I’m sorry. I got there too late.” Shakes her head at me but Ican’t stop the words tumbling out. “I failed you. I’m so sorry. This should never have happened.” I close my eyes, breathing deeply. “I don’t expect you to forgive me—”
“Enzo Massimo Russo,” she scolds, and my mouth snaps shut. “There’s nothing to forgive. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I’m supposed to protect you.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not weak. I can protect myself.”
I huff a hollow laugh. “That you can, baby.”
She snuggles into me, and I sigh, momentarily contented.
A gut-wrenching sob tears from her.
"What's wrong?"
She sniffs, her breath hiccupping as she tries to speak.
"Izzy? Are you hurt?" I press a little more frantically.
"I… I lost the baby," she whimpers, and my heart breaks in two.
Despite the pain radiating throughout my body, I pull her closer, stretching my arm around her.
“I’m so sorry,Cuore mio,” I whisper, offering her whatever strength I have left.
Sadness washes over me, settling like a heavy blanket.
50
Bleeding Inside
The silence here is sometimes louder than any noise. I miss your chatter. —Enzo
Enzo
“Wanttogooutfor lunch, Iz?”
Her head turns slowly. She blinks at me. “What?”
It’s been like this for the past two weeks. Ever since she lost the baby, she’s been somewhere else—trapped inside her own mind.
And I’m helpless out here, watching the woman I love slip further away with each passing day.
“Do you want to go out to eat?” I repeat gently.
She offers me a smile, but it doesn’t touch her eyes. “Sure.”
I sigh, pulling her into my chest and pressing a kissto her hair. “Tell me how I can help,Cuore mio. Please.”
She stands stiffly in my arms before her own wrap tentatively around my waist. “I don’t know.”
“Talk to me, baby.”
“I just… I feel lost. Like something’s missing.” Her voice cracks. “Which is stupid, because it’s not like they were planned, and I wasn’t pregnant for long—”
