LOGINVieriMy phone had been ringing non stop. I didn’t even need to check to know who it was. But I did anyway. Sonia again!I stared at the screen as it lit up for the fifth time. “What have I done to deserve this?” I muttered under my breath, dragging a hand down my face.The phone stopped ringing. For two seconds, then it started again.I sighed. “Fine.”I picked up. “What is it, Sonia?”“You finally answered!” she snapped. “I’ve been calling you!”“I can see that,” I replied. “What do you want now?”“I need to go to the mall,” she said quickly.I leaned back in my chair. “Do you need money?”“No.”“Then what?”“I don’t want to take a cab,” she said. “Come with me.”I closed my eyes briefly. “Sonia, I’m busy.”A pause. Then..“With Elena?” she asked sharply.I frowned. “I’m at the hospital,” I whispered. “I just resumed work today.”She scoffed. “You just don’t want to go with me.”“That’s not it!”“ That's it. You want to spend time with Elena, that’s why!”I sat up straighter. “Sonia
DamianoI lowered myself onto the edge of the bed, my muscles still warm from the exercise session.The room was quiet except for the faint rhythm of my breathing. For the first time in weeks… I could walk again.My legs still felt stiff, but the strength had returned. The doctors had warned me not to rush things, but I was already pushing my limits. Sitting still has never been my strength.I ran a hand through my hair, my mind drifting back to what had happened earlier. The way Vieri had rushed in like he had come to see me… but something about the visit had felt strange.He had barely stayed for a few seconds before leaving in a hurry. And it had been obvious he was looking for Elena.My eyes narrowed slightly. Why? I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. Something was going on. And I had been in the dark long enough.“Enough… I can’t do this any longer,” I muttered under my breath. I reached for my phone on the bedside table and dialed a number I hadn’t called in a while.
AriaThe drive home was quiet.Arthur sat in the passenger seat this time, unusually silent. Normally he would be talking nonstop, about school, cartoons, or something he saw on the road. But today he just watched me.When we finally got home and stepped inside, he stopped in the living room and looked straight into my eyes.“ Mom…” he whispered. “Are you okay?”I paused for a moment. Then shrugged lightly. “I’m fine.”Arthur didn’t look convinced. He nodded anyway, like he understood more than he was saying. “Okay,” he replied.But the way he looked at me made it clear he knew the truth.I walked past him and headed to my bedroom. I sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor.My mind replayed everything from yesterday. The airport, Sonia holding Vieri’s arm, her laughter in the kitchen. The way she took the seat beside him at dinner. And last night… when he left the room with his pillow. I leaned back against the headboard and exhaled slowly.I needed someone to talk to.
Vieri“What is it?” I called out.Sonia’s voice came through the door almost immediately. “I can’t sleep in my room alone. How about you come join me in the living room?”I blinked. “What?” The words sounded absurd to me. I stepped closer to the door, lowering my voice. “Sonia, you’re not a kid anymore. You can sleep alone.”“I can’t,” she insisted quickly. “I told you before. I hate sleeping alone.”Her tone carried that stubborn edge I remembered from childhood. I turned slightly and glanced at Elena.She was sitting beside Arthur on the bed. Our eyes met briefly, but she immediately looked away.I turned to Arthur.He shrugged helplessly and glanced at his mom. Clearly, he didn’t know what to say either.“Sonia,” I called again, trying to stay calm. “Just go back to your room. You’ll be fine.”“No,” she screamed out loud. “I need you to stay with me tonight.”I rubbed my forehead. This was ridiculous. “Elena,” I said, swallowing hard, as I stood up. “Excuse me for a moment.” I walk
AriaI was speechless.For a moment, I simply stared ahead at the road, my hands tight around the steering wheel. I said nothing.Beside me, Vieri rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “Sonia,” he began carefully, turning slightly in his seat to face the back. “You can’t stay with me. It’s better if you check into a hotel.”From the back seat, Sonia crossed her arms. “A hotel?” she repeated as if the idea offended her.“Yes, it will be safer and more comfortable for you.”Sonia shook her head immediately. “No. I’ve heard too many things about Paris. It’s not safe. Especially for someone who just arrived.” She leaned forward slightly. “Staying with you is the safest option.”Vieri sighed.“Sonia..”“No,” she cut him off. “I’m staying with you.”The argument continued the entire drive. Back and forth. Neither of them was willing to back down.By the time the sky darkened and the streetlights flickered on, the tension in the car had grown thick.Finally, I spoke.“She can st
AriaA week laterThe sound of hurried footsteps rushed down the hallway before my bedroom door burst open.“Mom!” Arthur ran inside, slightly out of breath, his hair still messy from running.I looked up from the tablet on my bed. “Good afternoon to you too.”He ignored that completely. “Mom, today makes it two weeks since Uncle Vieri left!” he said excited. “Did he send the time his flight will arrive at the airport?”I couldn’t help laughing at the seriousness on his face.“Yes,” I replied, setting the tablet aside. “It’s really today.”Arthur’s eyes widened.“Really?!”“His flight should arrive by 4 p.m.”Arthur immediately checked the time on the wall clock. “it’s two o’clock already!” he announced. Then he spun toward the door. “I need to freshen up!”Before I could even respond, he dashed out of the room. After he left, I glanced down at my phone again.Vieri’s message was still on the screen. Arrival: 4:00 PM. “I’ll be right on time. Hopefully.”At exactly 4 p.m., Arthur and I w
Aria “Mom! Uncle Vieri brought breakfast!”Arthur’s voice crashed straight into my thoughts. I blinked, still half lost in the mess of last night’s overthinking, and turned toward the living room. “Breakfast?” I repeated. The smell hit me first. Fresh bread and eggs. Vieri stood by the dining ta
Damiano“A nasty little whore?” The way she repeated it made it sound uglier than when I said it. Like they shouldn’t have come out of my mouth.“What did you just call me?” she asked slowly.I didn’t back down, didn’t flinch.“You had absolutely no right to call me that,” she snapped.I scoffed. “
Aria After the ceremony, Arthur crashed.Completely.One minute he was talking a mile a minute, the next his words were melting into yawns.“Mooom,” he slurred from the backseat, still clutching his little graduation ribbon like it was gold. “Did you see me? I was first to collect my certificate…
Damiano“Elena?” Isabella’s voice sliced through the room. Sharp and suspicious.My head snapped up.She was staring at Mom now, brows raised high. “How did she suddenly get into this topic?” Her gaze slowly shifted to me.And just like that, the air changed.Mom didn’t even hesitate. “Like you can







