« I did. »
« But I was trying to save him. »
Those words changed everything.
Alessandro’s expression hardened.
« Save him from who? »
Elena hesitated.
Then she quietly replied,
« From your world. »
Mateo tugged gently on his mother’s sleeve.
« Mama… »
« I’m hungry. »
She smiled despite the tears gathering in her eyes.
« I know, sweetheart. »
« Go wash your hands. »
« I’ll be inside in a minute. »
The little boy nodded obediently before disappearing into the house.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Alessandro stepped closer.
« My world? »
She met his eyes.
« You don’t see it anymore. »
« You’ve lived in it for too long. »
« I see exactly what it is. »
« No. »
« You’ve learned to survive inside it. »
« I never could. »
The rain soaked the shoulders of her sweater, but she didn’t seem to notice.
« For years I watched armed men outside our home. »
« I watched you answer phone calls in the middle of the night. »
