"Hey." I attempt timidly.

He looks up. A worried yet relieved expression crosses his face.

"May, damn it, don't scare me like that again ! he exclaims as he walks towards me." He then pulls me into his arms.

"Sorry, I thought I'd be back before you."

He pulls away from me, anger taking over from concern.

"Wait, so you weren't planning to tell me you went out ? Are you hiding a lot of things like this from me ?"

"I knew you wouldn't agree, so I wanted to spare us a pointless argument since I was going to go out anyway."

His face tightens as he glares at me.

"And may I know where you were ?"

"At Paola's, I needed to..."

"Needed what ?! What's more important than Orfeo's life?! It's over, May ! You've had your revenge, Paola is dead and isn't coming back ! That's no reason to endanger our baby's life! Everything related to her can wait! I don't want to hear about it anymore while you're supposed to be resting! You rest for two more weeks, and then the doctor will decide whether you can move or not, but until then, you stay in bed and under no circumstances do I want to see you standing, got it ?" he bursts into flames with all his rage

I am speechless after his words. Moved by the fact that he has chosen a name for the baby. Yet, I am devastated. I have never seen him so furious at me and so scared at the same time. I understand that I went too far and disappointed him. His reaction is legitimate, even if his anger is hard to bear. I can't blame him for being so enraged. It's our child's life I am risking each time, and I would never forgive myself if we lost it, just as Ezio wouldn't forgive me.

So, I go to bed silently, not wanting to fuel the fire by attempting a justification. Once lying down, despite a wave of shame, anger, and sadness overwhelming me, I collapse into a deep sleep, exhausted.

It's late the next day when I wake up. Like the day after a heavy night out, it feels like a bus has run over me. My body aches, and I feel even more tired. Still, I find the strength to check my phone to see if there's any news from Andy. A simple text saying everything is in order reassures me and is enough to make me fall asleep peacefully.

I wake up the next day feeling better. I find Ezio lying next to me, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, a distant look in his eyes, and his hands under his head. I prop myself up on my side, resting my head on my hand.

"Good morning. I greet him tenderly, caressing his chest with my fingers."

He turns his head towards me and then sits up, mirroring me.

"Hey, finally awake." he says, caressing my cheek.

"Rested well, yes."

"I'm sorry for what I said the other night, May. I was really scared, but that doesn't excuse my words. I shouldn't have been so harsh."

"You don't have to apologize, although I appreciate it. I went too far despite the doctor's advice and knowing the risks. I should have stayed and rested. I'm aware of that, but I had a good reason."

"May, I've told you I don't want to hear about it. I want us to move forward and set this aside for now. I want you to rest and focus only on your well-being, everything else can wait."

I smile at him, disappointed, but I don't show it.

"What's planned for today ?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Still some matters to settle, but nothing you need to worry about."

"So, you've already chosen our son's name ?" I say, touched.

He smiles, and I almost think he blushes.

"Yes, I thought of Orfeo. I find it a beautiful name, and it resonates with your gift for music. In Greek mythology, he is a talented poet and musician, so talented that he could enchant people and even objects with his music. Just like you when you sing, your voice is so crystalline, it's mesmerizing. You are very talented, May, more than you realize. So I think our son should have a name that matches your talent and his future talent. Whatever he becomes, I know he will be exceptional with a mother like you."

Deeply moved by his words and the significance Ezio attached to our son's name, I burst into tears. He then takes me in his comforting arms and holds me tight.

"You are so precious to me, May. I don't know what I'd do without you." he whispers to me.

He pulls away and kisses me tenderly. Overcome by fatigue, I lie down again and fall asleep peacefully in his arms.

The days fly by, and before I know it, the two-week period is up. Despite the visits from Andy and playing board games, I won't miss being bedridden and am eagerly hoping the doctor will give me the all-clear. The day finally arrives, and after a check-up, the doctor delivers his diagnosis. The baby is in perfect health, and he allows me to start getting up, with the caution to not overexert myself. Overjoyed, I hug him, much to everyone's surprise. Flustered, he leaves our home.

"What shall we do to celebrate ?" I ask, excited.

Ezio laughs, tenderly moved by my childlike enthusiasm over an upcoming birthday gift.

"I'm taking you to a restaurant, get ready."

I jump into his arms, completely euphoric.

I get ready, and we hit the road. Upon arriving at the restaurant, to my great surprise, we are greeted by Andrea and Andy, who welcome me with open arms.

In an intimate corner, we enjoy a delightful moment, both from the food and the ambiance. Enveloped in laughter and lively conversations, we savor the lightness of the moment. In our bubble, it feels as though nothing could reach us.

An illusion.

The familiar silhouette of Gioele emerge, his piercing gaze bursting our bubble and sending chills across my skin.

"Mayina ! Finally, I found you !" he abruptly interrupts our conversation.

I lean back in my chair, my throat dry.

"Gioele, what are you doing here ?" I ask in a measured tone.

"I was worried about you. Ever since you announced your pregnancy, you haven't given any sign of life. I had to make sure you were okay," he replies, his voice trembling with emotion.

"Listen, you're going too far. This is a private evening, you should leave," Ezio intervens.

"Why aren't you answering my messages, May ? You know how much you mean to me," he ignores him, continuing to fix his gaze on me.

I took a deep breath, digging my fingers, hidden under the table, into my palms.

"Marc, I understand that you're worried, but you have to respect my privacy. I'm with my family and friends."

"I think my wife has been clear and patient enough. Leave immediately because I am far from having the same patience," Ezio asserts, standing up.

"Don't you threaten me. You don't know what I'm capable of !" Gioele retorts, his eyes dark, pointing his finger at my husband.

The tension in the room became palpable, accentuated by the worried silence of Andy and Andrea. Sensing the situation slipping out of control, I stood up and addressed him gently.

"Gioele, please, listen to me. This is not the time or place. Leave now, and we will talk later, okay ?"

His fists clenched, he steps back, glaring at me.

"Fine, but don't think this is over, May. You'll hear from me again. Very soon." He threatens, alternating his gaze between Ezio and me.

Without another word, he turns and leaves the restaurant, leaving behind a chilling cold. We fall back into our chairs as a heavy, oppressive silence descended.

"It's going to be okay, he's gone. Don't worry, I'm here," Ezio reassures me, kissing my cheek.

I nod, swallowing hard to calm my pounding heart.

"I really hope he understands and leaves us alone."

Laughter and conversations resume, but the shadow of the incident and the threat still loom over us.

Once home, Ezio takes my hand and leads me to our garden, which I admit I am visiting for the first time. The snow has blanketed the vegetation, replacing the bushes with small white mountains and the grass with a vast polar carpet. We walk through the garden, gradually leaving our footprints behind us.

"May, there's something I need to confess."

Curiosity piqued, I stop and lock eyes with him.

"I didn't want to discuss this until you were feeling better, but Ettore Condore is back in the area. I don't know his intentions, but he knows we're behind the death of his family. We're trying to track his location and keep him under surveillance, but he's very good at evading detection. You don't have to worry..."

A noise from behind a bush interrupts Ezio. Intrigued, we turn towards the sound. Before I can grasp what's happening, I hear a gunshot and feel a bullet pierce my stomach. An intense pain shoots through me as I fall to my knees, clutching my stomach. Driven away by the invading pain, my thoughts empty as blood spreads across my sweater and hands. All my senses seem to slip away in favor of touch, so much so that I barely hear Ezio shouting my name beside me. His voice, muffled by cotton, instantly dissolves as a second shot rings out. It's only as Ezio touches the ground on his knees next to me that I realize he's been hit this time. I don't have time to react before a second bullet lodges itself in my shoulder, causing me to fall onto my back. Lying there as the sole sign of life, the faint cloud of my breath warming the chilly air, I hear one final shot. In a crunch of snow, I feel Ezio's body fall heavily beside me. I turn my head towards him and in a final effort, try to take his hand, a tear streaming down my cheek. Lying on the icy ground, our bloods spill and mix together to become one. The bright red contrasting against the brilliant white of the snow. Under the intensity of the pain, I can no longer keep my eyes open. Despite my will, I sink into the depths of unconsciousness, holding onto Ezio's ocean blue gaze as my last memory before it disappears behind his eyelids.

                                                                              TO BE FOLLOWED...