Chapter 98: The Illusion of Control

The days pass, seemingly peaceful. Three days, a week, then soon two. Everything appears to return to a fragile equilibrium after the storm.

Mila is still recovering, but her condition is improving. Alessandro remains by my side, omnipresent, shadowing me like a second skin. And I, slowly, grow accustomed to this life under surveillance, to his exaggerated precautions, to his scrutinizing gaze whenever I move too quickly.

He hasn't forgotten.

He doesn't say anything, but I see it in every gesture.

Since my fainting spell, Alessandro no longer lets me do anything alone.

He handles everything, manages his affairs remotely, conducts his meetings over the phone, or has his men deliver reports. He delegates like he never has before. Because he refuses to leave. Because he refuses to lose me.

It's his way of loving, I suppose.

And if, at first, it reassured me… now, it's starting to suffocate me.