He kneels beside me, places the stuff down carefully, and looks up at me. "Wanna give me your hand?" he asks, quietly. I nod and offer it. "It's gonna hurt," he says. "But if it doesn't hurt now, it'll hurt worse later. You probably already know that."
"You're right," I murmur. "I know." He starts cleaning the wound. It does hurt, a lot, and I flinch. His face twists with guilt like he's the one causing it. Like I didn't do this for him.
Like he wouldn't do worse for me if the roles were reversed. He doesn't say anything for a moment. Just works gently. For the first time since I saw the lights of that goddamn police car, I start to feel kinda warm again.
He finishes tying the bandage around my hand. His fingers are slow. I can feel how carefully he's touching me. Then he looks up. "How'd this happen?"
"I cut it," I say quietly. "While I was looking for the box. I knocked over a frame. Didn't even notice the glass until it was already in my hand." I watch his expression shift. His jaw tenses, holding back something heavy. Guilt, probably. Pain. I don't know.
For a second, it looks like he might fall apart. But then…he smiles, like he's proud of me.
He leans closer, still holding my bandaged hand. "You did a crazy thing, Rava." His voice cracks a little. "I'm not exaggerating. Not even a little." He runs a hand down my back, slowly. "If you weren't here, if you hadn't been with me this morning…God, I don't even want to finish that sentence."
He exhales, breath shaking. "They searched. They searched right where the box was. I stood there, trying to keep my face calm, trying to act normal, and inside I was dying."
I'm silent. Letting him talk. "I could almost feel the cuffs, Rava. I was one second away from losing everything. From losing you. My life, my mom, all of it. Gone." His voice breaks a little. "But then she turned. She turned around, and I saw her leave that spot without finding anything, and I—" He pauses. Swallows.
"I swear to you, I'veneverfelt anything like that.Never.It was like being pulled out of a nightmare while still screaming in it." He leans forward, pressing his forehead to mine.
"And you.Youwere the reason. You're the reason they found nothing. You're the reason I'm still here, sitting across from you, talking like this instead of in a fucking cell. You did that. For me. You saved my ass. You didn't have to, but you did. And I don't—" he stops, shaking his head. "I don't think I'll ever forget what you did for me today."
My eyes sting again, but I smile through it. "I had to. I wanted to. It's you."
He pulls me into his arms, presses his face against the side of my neck. "I'm gonna spend the rest of my life making this up to you," he murmurs. "I swear to God. Whatever it takes."
I close my eyes and let myself fall into him. I don't care how much it hurts. I don't care what comes next. He's safe. He's here. And that's all I wanted.
Lulu climbs up beside me. Always knowing exactly when to show up. I stroke her gently behind the ears. My hand still aches. But I can breathe now. Gio watches us, eyes a little softer now.
I try to lighten the mood. "If they'd taken you in, could I have filed for custody of Lulu?"
He blinks at me. Then bursts out laughing. "I'd probably be thinking about it in the back of the police car," he says, wiping his face. "Would've asked them to deliver my final decision in an envelope. Dramatic and official."
We both laugh. Lulu lets out a tiny meow like she approves. But then I exhale. Because I know what's coming.
The next storm.
"I'm gonna go," I say quietly, petting Lulu once more. "Next door. I'll grab a few things. I'll be right back and then…we'll get rid of the box. For good."
Gio straightens a little. "You sure you're okay?"
I nod. "Yeah. I just need a moment. I'll be quick. Don't touch anything, okay? I want to help you clean this up."
His brow furrows. "Absolutely not. Don't even think about it." He leans in, kisses my forehead gently. "I'll have as much cleaned as I can by the time you come back."
I smile, just a little. Then stand. Because we still have a job to finish.
I step outside. I see his car. Fuck.
My steps quicken without permission. I feel like I’m running toward the scene of a crime. I don't hesitate. Push my house's door open. Don't even register Lorenzo or Daisy as I storm past them.
I hear her call my name, confused, but I can't stop.
Not now. Not when the only thing in my head is his face.
My father's fucking face.
I find him in the hallway. Cool and composed like always. I don't stop.
