"I'm sorry." The words pour out of him. "I—Christ, Sophia, I should have protected you better. Should have been there."
My fingers twitch in his grip. He looks up, eyes red-rimmed and desperate.
"You're everything to my filthy, useless life." he says.
I try to speak again, but only air comes out. My throat feels like shredded meat. I need to tell Lorenzo it's not his fault, that I'm the one who ran away like a child, who put Marina in danger.
I lift my free hand, making a small waving motion.No. Not your fault.
He doesn't understand. His brow furrows as he watches my hand move.
"What is it? What do you need?"
I point to my throat, then mime drinking. My mouth is so dry it feels like sandpaper.
Lorenzo's eyes widen. "Water. You need water." He jumps up, nearly knocking over the chair. "Doctor! Get the fuck in here!"
The door flies open. The doctor rushes in with Vittoria right behind him.
"Lorenzo, you're behaving awfully for no reason," Vittoria snaps. "The man is trying to help."
"She needs water," Lorenzo growls at the doctor. "Why doesn't she have water?"
The doctor approaches cautiously, like Lorenzo might attack. "Mrs. Sartori, I need to examine your throat first. The damage from strangulation can?—"
I make the drinking motion again, more desperately this time, pointing at my throat.
"Get her fucking water," Lorenzo commands. "Now."
"I need to check if she can swallow safely first," the doctor insists, moving closer despite Lorenzo's glare. He shines a penlight down my throat, his face grim. "Severe bruising to the larynx, but no tracheal damage. Small sips only."
He disappears and returns with a cup of water and a straw. Lorenzo takes it from him, holding it to my lips.
The first sip burns going down, but it's the best thing I've ever tasted. I take another, then another, until the doctor pulls the cup away.
"Slowly. Your throat needs time to heal."
I try to speak again. It comes out as a croak, but I manage one word: "Marina."
Lorenzo's jaw tightens. "She's in recovery. You can see her when?—"
I shake my head, gripping his hand harder. I need to see her. Need to know she's really alive, that Daniil didn't take her from me because of my stupidity.
"Marina," I rasp again, tears sliding down my cheeks.
"Sophia, you need to rest," Lorenzo starts.
I pull my hand from his, pushing myself up despite the pain shooting through my body. If he won't take me to her, I'll go myself.
"Whoa, easy." Vittoria moves to my other side, steadying me. "Sophia, you need to take it easy."
"Marina." My voice is getting stronger, fueled by desperation. "Please."
Lorenzo and Vittoria exchange a look over my head.
"She won't rest until she sees her," Vittoria says quietly. "You know she won't."
Lorenzo's hands are gentle as he helps me sit up properly. "If I take you to see her, you come straight back to bed after. No arguments."
