Chapter 2 Wuwelling Threads.
The shong low in the sky, casting awam glow over the sprawling
bellett a knot tighten in her stomach as she walked towards Matteo’s villa. After the intense
trading session, she hadn’t seen him. The worry and at her, What had happened during the workout that had driven him to such extremes she needed to see him, to understand what wow weighing so hiven his mind
“Alberts,” she called as she entered the pan, spetting han wiping down epiljenient. He looked up, acerbus expresston crossing his face.
thabelle, everything alright?” he asked, sensing her apprehension.
st..concerned about Matteo, He let in sech amshaftertaining thought tight check on him,” She hesitated, unsure if she should share her worry with Matteo’s Inainen. “Do you think I’s a good idea to valt hins in his vil*
Alberto regarded her thoughtfulh, his brow fumowing sightly. “Matter can be intense, especially when he’s working through something. But if you feel that strongly about it, 1 uporte could use sonteone who cares.”
His weeds were both areas stance and a chaloups, sporting het onward. She thanked him and made her way toward the villa, her heart pounding with each step. As she approached the grand entrance, the exterior of the villa was impossive, with initate sinework and lush greenery surrounding it.
Isabelle pushed the door open and stepped inside. The air was cool, astek contrast to the warmth outside. A large toper opened up before her, adorned with a stunning chandelier and marbles. The will were decorated with rich, dark wood paneling, and the the space felt both opulent and inviting
“Wow,” she whispered, taking in the elegance. She walked further into the villa,he footsteps echoing softly as she explored the ground floor.
The living was expansive, filled with plush couches and ornate henture Family portraks adorned the walls, but one particular photo caught her eye. It was a framed picture ofing young boy with dark hair, surrounded by a couple that boce a striking resemblance to Matte Her heart there could this have been him? :
She stepped closet, examining the faces. The warmth in their expressions was palpable. So this is Matteo’s family,” she murmured, feeling a wave of empathy wash over her. She sensed the deep history that lay behind the smiles frozen in time.
Moving on, she wandered into the kitchen, noting the gleaming appliances and the smell of something delicious waiting through the air. But as she turned to the adjacent hallway, a subtle instinct adged her, pushing her soul Matten
“Matted?” she called softly, her sice barely above a whisper as she wandel deeper into the vila. The house feltallve yet eerily quiet. She moved through rooms adorned with bookshelves, trinket, and more photographs, but still no sign of him.
Fally, she reached a door at the end of the hallway. Taking a deep breath, she opened it slowly. The dim light spilled out,ding Matteo’s private sanctuary.
Her beart sank at the sight befour her. Mats on the edge of his bed, knuckles blooded and rom The wall bone the extence of his tamol, with soft marks and dents suggesting a violent confrontation with them. He looked up, spre flashing in his eyes, but it quickly turned to concr
“Isabelle “bebomed, rising to his feet “What you doing here?”
#1 was worried about you,” she said, her we shading slightly. “Alberts said I should come see you, and she trailed off, het gaze fixed on his hands. “What happened?”
He glanced down his knuckles, shmeckering cross his face. “I just needed to let out,” he admitted, his voice low and straloed.
“Let things out?” she echoed, stepping closer “Matte, you can’t keep hurting yourself like this. Please, let me help you.”
She looked and to locate a
long on the wall a
distance away from them. She strode over to it, picked it up, and placed it beside her as she sat beside him. Mattana hand through his hair, duration evident. “It’s not that simple, Isabell. I’ve lost so many people, and the thought of losing anyone else.“He passed, the pain clear in his eyes can’t bear
bubelle fchaping in her chest at his vulnerability. “What do you mean?” she asked gently, moving to kneel beside an “Telling”
He took a deep breath, his poeting distant as he recalled his past. “My parents were winesses to acrime,” he began, his voice heavy with menury “They tried to report it tried to stop at the system it was corrupted. They were let go, and the next day, they were killed.”
tubelle’s heart raced. “Oh. Maties… I’m so sorry‘
“was just a child,” he continued, his voice trembling. “Thid behind aperture on the wall while they were taken from me, Aberto found meterward and raked me.” He looked up, his expression sodining. “And now we’re here, in this place that feels like both home and a prison have people to protect, belle, and I will do everything in to keep
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. “You mean you care about the people here,” she said softly. “Alberto, everyone who works for you. And me. Hodded,rce determination returning to his gaar. “Yes Loan for everyone, I want to bildade space for them, for you. I can’t let the past repeat itself.” Isabelle reached for his hand, gently taking his bloodied knuckles in hers. “You don’t have to carry this burden alone. I want to be here for you, to help you carry it.”
Hook her yes, and in that moment, something shifted between them. The space between them cracked with unspoken feelings “hable.” he began, his voice barely above a whisper.
without thinking, she leaned closer, her heart racing Their lips met softly at first, tentatibush that quickly deepened into something more get the kiss was electrk, filled with all the anand words and emotions that had built between them.
As they broke apart, breathless, Matteo’s expression was a mature of surprise god longing “I didn’t expect that,” he murmured, a hint of a smile gracing his lips “Nether did she admitted, foeling warmth spread through her. But just as quickly, the crusion the room returned, a reminder of the shadows lurking in Matteo’s life. “Malten, please let me in,” she urged with a voice that was close to a whisper, searching his eyes. “I want to understand. I want to help you fight whatever is haunting you. He looked at her, the wherability reming “Fin afraid Ten’t do that,” head sternly.
“You’re alenady demper than I wanted, lubelle,” he said, his wice low. “But Lean’t risk losing you Not like I lost them.”
Contaxion riddled her eyes as the stared into eyes, but he simply looked away from her and sat up user body hunched over as he looked away from her
He got up from the badded over to the door, and sodbehold it open.
think
shake”
