104. Gabriela

MATTEO’s POV

As the days turned into weeks, Aria's walls began to crumble, and she started to warm up to me. Our love-making became a daily ritual, a passionate expression of our desire for each other. We couldn't keep our hands off each other, and it made everything even more exciting.

But amidst the bliss of my relationship with Aria, Gabriela's behavior became increasingly concerning. She shut us out completely, her eyes flashing with a murderous intensity whenever our paths crossed. I tried to reach out to her to offer comforting words or a supportive gesture, but she ignored me at every turn.

I wanted to be a father figure to her, to offer the guidance and protection she so desperately needed. But she wouldn't let me in, her defenses fortified against any attempt at connection. I tried to be patient to understand that she had been through unimaginable trauma, but it was hard not to take her rejection personally.