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My mother tries to pull me into her arms, but I push her away and throw myself over Damiano’s body.

“Come back!” I sob. “Please, vita, come back!”

Hands settle on my shoulders.

I turn and look up.

My father.

“Come here, Nora.” His voice breaks. “He’s gone, amore mio.”

I look around the room.

This can’t be real.

It doesn’t feel real.

Chiara is sitting on the floor, her face ashen and tears streaming down her cheeks. Damiano’s mother is still screaming.

“Mio figlio! Mio figlio!”

Calling for her son.

My mother is holding her now.

I look back at Damiano.

He’s there, but he isn’t.

Where is he?

Panic fills my veins as I try to breathe properly.

The nurse approaches. “I’m so sorry, but if we don’t close his jaw immediately...” She looks at my father for help.

My father nods.

“What? Why?” I look around.

Why is nobody explaining?

My father puts his hand on my shoulder and I look up.

“Damiano is gone, Nora. I’m so sorry.”

His voice breaks on a sob.

Gone?

Gone.

Damiano is gone.

I lower my head to his chest as the nurses do something above me. I don’t know what. I don’t care.

I listen.

Searching for the heartbeat I know so well. The one I love. The one I’ve fallen asleep listening to more times than I can count. The song I know by heart.