He looked nothing like the cold, distant man from moments ago.
He grabbed Massima's hand, anxious, his eyes scanning her body with desperate attention, checking every inch of her for harm.
Only after confirming she was untouched did he release a heavy breath of relief.
His shoulders sagged. His grip on her hand gentled.
Until the moment darkness claimed me, he never once looked at me.
When I woke again, I was in the Family medical facility—the private clinic the Volpes maintained for their own. The walls were pristine white, the equipment state-of-the-art, but the air carried the unmistakable chill of a place where loyalty determined the quality of your care.
"Signorina Mancini, your privileges at the Volpe clinic have been revoked. I'm afraid you'll need to be transferred to a standard facility."
The nurse's voice was carefully neutral, but I caught the flicker of pity in her eyes.
"I'm sorry—we've just confirmed there are no private rooms available at the public hospital either. You may have to wait in the corridor for your surgery."
She paused, and when she spoke again, her voice dropped.