Chapter 36

"Wow," Isabella sat back in her seat and shook her head. "I still can't believe it. You and Luca."

"Yep," Daisy picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. Theo reached for it from his high chair and cried out when his mother moved it away.

"That's crazy," Isabella stared at Theo. "And G, I had no idea about you and Daniel ending things like that. I mean he called Dino so many times, always asking if you had called me or something but I didn't know things were this bad. I wish you had told me."

"There was no time," Gia shrugged, picking at the watch on her wrist. "After my accident, all I cared about was getting better."

"I understand," Isabella nodded.

As the two girls began to shift the conversation towards wedding planning, Daisy took Theo out of his high chair and sat him down on her lap. She stroked his hair and gave him small kisses. Her thoughts began to wander back to Luca and instantly the ping of hurt resurfaced. Daisy looked at Gia and wished she could talk to her about it. But how would she even begin to explain her relationship with Luca.

Daisy's lashes lifted and she looked up towards Luca's two men, Aaron and Mateo. They stood outside the small restaurant guarding them as if they were the president's family. Daisy wanted to roll her eyes at how dramatic Luca was. She didn't think any of the old men or ladies out in the street would be any harm to her or to Theo.

"Don't you think Luca is a bit dramatic?" She asked, stopping Gia and Isabella's conversation. "Look at Aaron and Mateo. Why do they have to be here?"

"Sweetheart," Isabella laughed. "This Del Mare. Every other granny in the street is carrying a gun."

"Don't be ridiculous," Daisy rolled her eyes.

"She's right," Gia said. "People in this town are...weird and violent."

"They just need an excuse to start a fight," Isabella said.

"It can't be that bad," Daisy moved Theo a bit closer.

"Oh it can be," Isabella said. "I remember when Stella passed away. There was a fight every other hour. In the bars, at the schools, at the market. It was crazy. My parents sent me away to my aunt's house in London."

"Why..." Daisy asked. "Why did Stella's death cause all that?"

"People were throwing around blames," Isabella said before her eyes darted to Gia. "Baseless blames."

"They were blaming Luca," Daisy felt her heart sink like a heavy rock.

"Yeah," Gia cleared her throat. "It took a long time for them to see past all that."

Daisy slowly nodded. She started to understand the panic in Luca's eyes from earlier at church. Sure, he had overreacted. But Daisy forgot to remember they were in the town that had turned on him overnight. Maybe she had been too harsh with him.

"We're having a dinner for the wedding party next weekend," Isabella said. "You both have to be there. We're meeting after two years and I'm getting married. This is a sign."

"We probably won't even be there by then," Gia frowned.

"No! Don't say that," Isabella sat up. "You have to come, G. You are my oldest friend. We grew up together. And Dee, who's going to calm me down and tell me to man up when I start crying?"

"Gia's right," Daisy sighed. "I'm not sure how long we're staying."

"You're coming," Isabella said. "You have to."

"We'll see," Daisy said.

Isabella looked unconvinced but she decided to let the subject rest. The girls talked for a while longer before grabbing the check and heading their own ways. Mateo walked Daisy and Gia back to the car and waited around as Theo was buckled into the carseat.

"Where's Aaron?" Gia asked, climbing into the car.

"He's running some errands for Luca," Mateo said, adjusting his rear view mirror.

Daisy looked up and caught sight of Aaron walking up to the car. He held a large bouquet of white roses in his hand as he made his way to the trunk. At the sight of the flowers, Daisy felt her heart pick up its beat. She instantly thought of Luca and the flowers they had in their bedroom.

"G?" She called to her best friend as Aaron put the flowers in the trunk.

"Hm?" Gia looked her way.

"Do you know the recipe for your mom's meatballs?" Daisy asked.

"No, but I think Nonna has it somewhere," Gia said. "Why?"

"I want to make some meatballs," Daisy smiled. "I think Theo might like them."

________________

During the short drive back to the house, Daisy had managed to convince herself to forgive Luca for his behavior. She knew he was feeling just as restless about their fight as she was. The flowers in the back of the trunk filled the car with its scent, making Daisy miss the man more and more. When they arrived back at the house, she let Gia take Theo inside as she went around to grab the flowers.

"Ah....Luca asked me to pick them up," Aaron hesitated as Daisy took the flowers.

"I know," Daisy smiled, admiring the roses. "Thank you, Aaron."

"I should take them to him."

"I'll do it," Daisy waved her hand.

"They're for -"

Before Aaron could say anything else, Daisy turned on her heels and rushed into the house. She told the housekeeper to gather all the ingredients for the meatballs as she hurried upstairs with the flowers in her arms.

On the second floor, Daisy heard Luca's voice from his father's office and turned towards it. Her eyes landed on him and immediately her heart skipped a beat. She stepped towards the office and stood in the doorway, waiting for him to notice her.

"Don't rush the delivery," Luca said to whoever he was talking to on the phone. "Secure it properly. I don't want anything to brea-"

Luca looked up and stopped. His eyes fell on Daisy and then on the white flowers in her hand.

"Let me call you back," he said and then hung up.

Daisy walked farther into the room and looked down at the flowers, "You had Aaron pick these up?"

Fuckin' Christ, Luca cursed. "He wasn't supposed to do it today."

"Early delivery, I guess," Daisy rocked back on her heels.

"Daisy-" Luca couldn't tell if she was upset.

The last thing he wanted was for her to see the flowers. Aaron was supposed to pick them up tomorrow and drop them off at Stella's headstone. Why the hell did he think it was a good idea to pick them up while out with Daisy?

"Why did you have Aaron pick them up?" Daisy asked. "Why didn't you go?"

"I..." Luca felt his chest tighten. "I didn't have the time."

Daisy's face fell, "Oh."

"And I didn't think you would be okay with me going back to her grave after what happened earlier today."

"What?" Daisy looked up. She felt as if someone had suddenly sucked all the air out of the room. Her ears began to ring and her vision swayed.

"I know you're upset with me," Luca said slowly. "I said a lot of stuff while I was angry and I saw the way you looked at me when you came out of the church."

"These flowers...." Daisy began to lose feelings in her hands. "They're for Stella."

"Aaron was going to drop them off," Luca began as the bouquet dropped from Daisy's hands.

She jumped back as if she might catch on fire. Her eyes stung and the ringing in her ears grew louder.

"Daisy," Luca stepped forward and reached for her.

"Dee!" Gia called from downstairs. "We're ready for you in the kitchen!"

Daisy slowly began to back away from Luca and the fallen flowers. She turned and ran out of the room as Luca began to call after her. Her head spun and she felt as if someone had just played a sick prank on her. She didn't know if she was embarrassed, hurt, betrayed or heartbroken. Nothing seemed to fit. Nothing made sense.

Not wanting to be in their room where he could get her alone, Daisy made her way down to the first floor and ran into one of the bathrooms. She quickly locked the door and began to run the water as her heart shook with silent sobs. There were no tears, just a pounding heartache that made her think her heart would give out. Daisy didn't know how long she stood in the bathroom until she heard Gia calling her again.

"Coming," Daisy called out. Shutting the water, she made her way out of the bathroom and towards the kitchen.

"Okay, I chopped up the onions for you," Gia said, waving with a knife. "Don't ask me to do anything else because I really don't know how to."

Daisy slowly nodded, not hearing half of what Gia had said. Her eyes scanned the counter and all the ingredients laid out. She felt sick to her stomach as she thought about standing in front of anyone and carrying on a conversation. Her fingers felt numb and the back of her throat was too tight.

"G?" Daisy cleared her throat and grabbed the apron. "Can you take Theo out to the pool?"

"Now?" Gia arched her brow.

"Yeah," Daisy nodded. "Get him tired so he sleeps tonight."

"Okay," Gia sat down the knife and removed her apron. "Let me know if you need anything. And Dana can help you."

"Got it," Daisy nodded as the housekeeper, Dana stepped up to the counter.

"Do you need anything else, Mrs. Silvano?" She asked.

"Daisy," Daisy said. "Just Daisy."

"I don't know if Mr. Silvano will approve of tha-"

"It's my name!" Daisy looked up. "I don't care what Luca has to say. I'm pretty sure I'm not the Mrs. Silvano he wanted anyways."

Dana lowered her gaze and apologized. Daisy stared at the poor woman and wanted to break into tears all over again.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I'm just....it's been a weird day."

"I understand," Dana said.

"You don't have to stand here and watch me," Daisy frowned. "I can make meatballs. Why don't you finish up your other chores?"

"Sure," Dana nodded.

Daisy waited until the woman was out of the kitchen to lean over the sink and take several deep breaths. She was beginning to feel as if she was losing her mind when Luca came barging into the kitchen.

"Are you serious?" He yelled, causing Daisy to jump in fright and whirl around to face him.

He held a tie in his hand that Daisy had ripped a tiny hole through. She recognized it immediately. It had been laying around on their bed after they got to Del Mare. Daisy had told him many times to put it away but Luca seemed to be always leaving it lying around the room.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Luca yelled, his face red and the veins in his neck popping.

"I told you to put it away," Daisy said.

"Don't give me that bullshit," Luca jeered. "Are you really this childish?"

"Yes, I'm that childish," Daisy snapped.

"All because of some flowers?" Luca yelled. "Fuckin' flowers, Daisy?"

"What?" Daisy shook her head, trying to understand what he was saying. "What are you talking about?"

"You want flowers? Is that what this is about?" Luca asked. "You couldn't see past some stupid fuckin' towers?"

"This isn't about the flowers!" Daisy waved her arms around. "I don't give a fuck who you give flowers to. Dead or alive. I have literally no idea what you're screaming about."

"Okay," Luca huffed. "Sure."

"I'm sorry about the tie-"

"Save it," Luca spat out before turning his glare away from Daisy and walking out of the kitchen.

Daisy stood stunned as her heart pounded against her head. She had no idea what just happened as her body shook from anger, range and confusion.

"Daisy?" Dana's quiet voice spoke up as she slowly walked back into the kitchen. "Are you alright?"

Daisy nodded, still in a state of shock.

"All over a fuckin' tie," she said, looking at the woman. "I told him to not leave his things laying around."

"That tie is special to Mr. Silvano," Dana said.

"Why?" Daisy wondered, picking up the knife Gia had left on the cutting board. "Is it one of a kind? Is it limited editing? Is it made of gold?"

Dana watched Daisy chop up the onions and mutter to herself.

"It was from Stella," she said. "He wore it at their engagement."

The knife in Daisy's hand slipped and the sharp edge struck her ring finger. Dana jumped forward as Daisy yelped in pain and grabbed her finger. Blood began to gush out as she turned away towards the sink and began to cry.

She could no longer hold in her tears. Daisy didn't know if it was the physical pain of the cut or if it was the fact that Luca was cherishing something for so many years. It simply hurt too much.

"Sit down," Dana said. "I'll get the first aid box."

Daisy let the woman walk her over to one of the barstools. She sat down and grabbed a handful of napkins to squeeze around her finger. Her tears soaked into her face and wounded up in her mouth as she tried to stop them from falling down.

"Let me see," Dana said as she pulled out the first aid box.

Daisy let the woman take care of the cut and bandage her up as she continued to cry until her head began to pound. Dana walked her back to her room and helped her into bed before shutting off the light and closing all the curtains.

"Dana?" Daisy lifted her head as the kind woman headed for the door.

"Yes?" Dana paused.

"Can you take those flowers," Daisy pointed to the flowers Luca had bought for her. "They're dying. I don't like dead things. The rotting smell is horrible."

"Yes, of course," Dana picked up the vase and hurried out of the room. As she reached the top of the stairs, Luca stepped out of his office and looked at the flowers.

"Is she alright?" he asked.

"She seems very upset," Dana said. "And the knife slipped from her hand."

"What happened?" Luca frowned, his eyes filling with concern.

"Just a cut," Dana said. "I cleaned it up."

"You should have called me."

"I...." Dana hesitated.

"Where are you taking the flowers?"

"Mrs. Silvano asked me to remove them," Dana said. "She said she doesn't like dead things."

________________________

By the time Dinner came around, Daisy had to be out of bed with a fake smile on her lips. If not for the family then at least for Theo. She hung around the backyard away from Luca as Caral and Maria prepared for their evening out. Gia kept nagging Daisy saying she knew something was wrong, but Daisy would not say anything.

Once Maria and Carla left, Dana set the table and took Theo upstairs to bed. Daisy hovered in the kitchen avoiding Luca for as long as she could before things started to get awkwards with Gia. She took several long deep breaths before walking out to the dining room and taking a seat. Luca's eyes followed her but he didn't say anything. His gaze lingered on the bandage on her finger and took note of the absent ring.

"Dee, you okay?" Gia asked. "You've been so quiet today."

"I'm fine," Daisy smiled. "Must be all the sun. It's making me tired."

"But it looks good on you," Gia winked.

"Thanks," Daisy picked up her wine glass and filled it all the way to the top. When she caught Luca staring, her brows furrowed. "What?"

"Nothing," Luca shrugged.

He picked up his knife and fork and began to dig into the meatballs. Daisy watched him, knowing she left the dish half way and Dana had been kind enough to finish it up for her.

"You're in a good mood," Luca said, looking at Gia smiling at her wine.

"I am," Gia smiled, taking a sip. Daisy smiled as she too sipped her wine.

"How was your lunch date with Isabella?" Luca asked, looking at Daisy through his lashes.

"It was great," Daisy cleared her throat. "Super fun time explaining how we ended up married and with a baby."

Luca nodded, "Where's Maria and Carla?"

"Maria is at some game night in town with the other ladies and Carla went out to see some old friends," Daisy said.

"I sent my resume to Don Simpson," Gia suddenly announced.

"Don?" Luca arched his brow. "My attorney Don?"

"Yes," Gia sat forward and folded her hands in front of her on the table. "I'm applying for their fall fellowship."

"It's in Ne-"

Oh, here we go, Daisy rolled her eyes.

"It's in New York, yes, we know," she said.

There was a slight pause as Luca looked from one girl to the other. His eyes narrowed before he asked, "What are you two up to?"

"Nothing," Daisy shrugged. "She's just telling you that she's thinking of returning to New York for the fall."

"And what about dad?" Luca looked at Gia.

"You said the doctors are keeping him on bedrest," Gia said. "And Daisy said he seemed calmer at the hospital. You even see the difference yourself. Otherwise you would have never told Aaron to take the weekend off."

"Don't underestimate a wounded lion," Luca shook his head, his eyes filling with concern and worry.

"I don't even know if I'm going to get the fellowship yet," Gia sighed. "I just thought I should apply. Aren't you happy for me?"

"I am but there are a lot of moving parts to going back to New York," Luca argued.

"Besides dad, what else is there?" Gia asked. "And don't say Daniel because I can handle him."

"You haven't told me about today yet," Luca reminded her. "Did he say something to you?"

Gia shrugged, "Just the usual."

"Gia," Daisy reached for her friend's hand across the table dramatically. "Forgive me! I was a fool! Don't leave me!"

"You're such a bitch," Gia laughed, bringing her wine to her lips again.

"Is that what he really said?" Luca asked.

"Something like that," Gia took a long sip.

"What did you say?"

The hint of the smile from earlier returned to Gia's lips, "I told him to go fuck himself and to leave me alone."

"He's not going to listen."

"Then I'll keep saying it every time he shows up."

"See Luca," Daisy motioned with her hands. "An adult. She handled it."

"I don't buy it," Luca said stubbornly. "None of this. I don't buy dad's bullshit about being sorry for pushing us away, I don't buy Daniel's apology and I definitely don't buy it that you will be safe in New York."

"I'm not flying out tomorrow," Gia's brows furrowed. "We have time to think things through. You can send Aaron with me to New York. We can get a restraining order against Daniel. There are ways to get around all this. I am not going to sit around and use my degree to keep me warm at night just because some men think they can decide how I should do things in my life."

"She means Angelo and Daniel, not you," Daisy clarified for Luca.

"Yes, I got that," he shot back before turning to his sister. "Just because you win one battle doesn't mean you won the whole war. Don't forget where you are. Del Mare is the belly of the beast and nothing is off limits here. I did not let my guards down just because I let Aaron take the next few days off. Play safe, Gia. Especially here."

"I'm not playing anything," Gia said. "I'm just here trying to enjoy a summer vacation and a friend's wedding."

"Gia," Luca inhaled slowly. "Tread very carefully. I know you handled Daniel today but please stay away from him. The only reason I haven't shot him dead yet is because then people will start asking questions and dig up everything that happened two years ago. They don't know you two were involved so please let it stay that way."

"I think she deserves a little more credit," Daisy began to say slowly.

"Daisy, please," Luca held up a finger and Gia watched rage ignite instantly in her best friend's eyes. "You don't know what it's like here."

"No, I don't," Daisy's tone was clipped. "But who the hell do you think you are?"

Luca stared at her in confusion as if he wasn't sure why she was suddenly gearing up to fight all night long. Gia leaned across her plate and lowered her brother's finger.

"The next time you show me your finger, you won't have a finger in the morning," Daisy warned with her butter knife pointed towards Luca. "I know where you sleep at night."

"You two are just hell bent on creating chaos, aren't you?" Luca shook his head. "All this...it's not a silly game. It's a chess match."

"I don't know how to play chess," Daisy said.

"Me neither," Gia added.

"It's a metaphor!"

"A shitty one," Daisy snorted.

"Why are you two like this?" Luca asked in anger. "Why can't you do as you're told? I'm trying to keep you both safe damn it!"

"Okay, okay!" Gia set down her wine glass. "Relax. I-"

"Don't you dare apologize!" Daisy pointed towards Gia.

"Oh you get to point?" Luca asked.

"I hate your fingers!" Daisy snapped. "They're....they're....."

Daisy struggled to come up with an insult. Her mind ran blank and anger filled her veins. Luca was suddenly quiet beside her. He leaned back in his chair with his shoulders relaxed and waited for Daisy to finish. He watched her with a smirk on his lips as if to mock her.

"Stop smirking!" Daisy ordered. "I hate it when you smirk."

"What don't you hate about me?" Luca asked.

"She doesn't hate you," Gia suddenly felt caught in the middle. She looked for Daisy to Luca as they glared at each other from across the table. "She made your favorite meatballs for dinner."

"No wonder they taste so bad," Luca looked at his plate. Daisy's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Luca!" Gia gasped. "Daisy and I were so excited to make this tonight."

"A waste of time," Luca said. "Was there any effort applied?"

"Why are you being such a dick?" Gia asked.

Suddenly, Daisy rose from her seat. She threw down her napkin onto her plate and stormed out of the dining room. Gia stared with her heart in her throat. She turned towards Luca but he had all his focus on the glass of wine with Daisy's lipstick stain on it.

"What the hell just happened?" She asked. "How did we go from talking about Daniel to this?"

"Something about chess," Luca muttered. He picked up his fork and stabbed one of the meatballs.

"I thought you said they tasted bad?" Gia arched her brow.

"They do."

"Then why are you eating them?"

"I don't know," Luca said with irritation. "Let a man eat his meatballs in peace."

"You're all mental," Gia shook her head.

Luca picked up the napkin from his lap and placed it on the table. He pushed his chair back and stood up, reading to go after Daisy.

"I would give her some time to cool off," Gia said. "She'll only fight you right now."

"I'll handle it," Luca said with a sigh.

Leaving his sister at the table, Luca made his way to the second floor where he found Daisy walking back and forth between their room and his old bedroom.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Not staying with you," Daisy said.

"What?"

"You can stay in your room," Daisy said. "I'll be in your old room."

"Don't be ridiculous," Luca snatched the pillow out of her hands.

"What the hell?" Daisy snapped, trying to take it back.

"Get inside!" Luca demanded, stepping forward and towering over her.

"Or what?" Daisy yelled back.

"Don't push my buttons, sunshine," Luca warned.

"Get out of my way," Daisy tried to step around him but Luca grabbed her waist and pulled her back.

"I said to get back in the room."

"Make me," Daisy snapped.

Instantly, Luca picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. He took the three small steps into their bedroom and locked the door before walking over to the bed and throwing her down on it.

"What is wrong with you?" Daisy yelled, sitting up and pushing her hair out of her face.

"You are not leaving this room," Luca said. "You're not leaving me."

"You're the last person I want to be next to right now," Daisy said, jumping to her feet and turning towards the door.

"No," Luca grabbed her elbow and pulled her back. "Sit down."

"Fuck off!"

"Stop yelling!"

"Stop telling me what to do!" Daisy screamed louder. "I'm not Gia, I'm not Stella. I'm not going to do whatever the fuck you keep asking me to do!"

Luca stepped forward and grabbed her face. He placed both of his palms against her cheeks and pulled her closer.

"I will seriously gut you in your sleep if you kiss me right now," Daisy warned.

"As tempting as that idea is," Luca smirked. "I won't. I just need you to listen to me and stop yelling. Please, I don't want to scare Theo."

"Theo," Daisy gasped.

She pushed Luca's hands away and ran towards the nursery. The room was dark and filled with the sounds of his favorite lullaby playing on the music box. The sheep night light was plugged in and the sweet baby boy was fast asleep after a long day in the pool with Gia. Daisy stood by the crib looking down at Theo as Luca came to stand beside her.

"Can we talk?" He asked, his voice quiet. "Please?"

Daisy shook her head.

"I'm not letting you move out of this room," Luca said.

With a sigh, Daisy turned and walked back into the bedroom. Luca followed her and shut the door to the nursery.

"What is it?" Daisy asked, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "What do you want to say?"

"A whole lot," Luca walked up to her and bent down on one knee. He grabbed her chin between his thumb and pointer finger and tilted her head up. "I'm sorry for today."

"What part of today?" Daisy asked.

"All of it," Luca said. "For getting upset at the church, for shouting at you and calling you reckless."

"What about saying I was keeping things from you for my own benefits?"

"Yes," Luca said. "I'm sorry."

"And for taking Theo to her grave?"

"I'm sorry for that too."

"I didn't like that," Daisy frowned. "Not one bit."

"I wasn't thinking," Luca admitted. "I got him ice cream and was looking for some shade."

"I didn't cut up your tie because I was upset about the flowers," Daisy said. "I didn't know it was from her."

Luca slowly nodded.

"And I'm sorry for not telling you about Daniel and Gia."

Luca nodded once more.

"Are you not going to apologize for yelling at me over the tie?" Daisy asked.

"I'm sorry."

"Do you have other things from her?" Daisy asked. "I should know so I don't accidentally ruin anything."

"You're not going to ruin anything," Luca shook his head.

"Are you sure?" Daisy asked. "You looked ready to kill me over the tie."

"I thought you were upset about the flowers and decided to cut up the tie," Luca said.

"So you screamed at me like that?"

"I'm sorry."

"What if I had done that?" Daisy asked. "What if I knew the tie was from her and I ruined it on purpose?"

"I would be very upset and angry."

"Why?" Daisy asked.

"Because!"

"Because you love her," Daisy felt her heart shrivel up. "You still love her."

Pain struck across Luca's eyes as Daisy began to tear up. He tried to hold her face but she shook him away.

"How could you love someone like that?" Daisy asked.

"What?" Luca asked in confusion.

"How could you love someone like Stella?" Daisy asked. "Everyone I talk to has nothing but horrible things to say about her. They say you were miserable with her yet you can't let go of her."

"You didn't know her," Luca said.

"Neither did you," Daisy wiped her eyes. "I had no idea she was still such a huge part of your life. Is this why you won't tell me you love me?"

"Don't bring that up now," Luca sighed as he climbed to his feet.

"I need to know, Luca," Daisy said. "Do you still love Stella? Is that why you'll never tell me you love me?"

"She's not your competition," Luca said. "She's dead."

"I don't even stand a chance," Daisy said.

"Are you seriously fighting with me about a dead girl?" Luca asked.

"A dead girl you're still in love with!" Daisy cried. "You're never going to love me."

"Stop saying that," Luca said.

"It all makes so much more sense now," Daisy felt a fresh wave of tears run down her face. "You're still hung up over your crazy toxic ex-"

"You know nothing about her!" Luca's voice hardened. "Not another word about Stella."

"She was awful to you!" Daisy continued. "She cheated on you!"

"She's dead, Daisy. Okay? She's dead. Leave her alone," Luca said, his eyes filled with anger. "She called me before driving off the cliff but I couldn't stop her because I was too busy finding you!"

"What..." Daisy flinched.

"The night Stella drove off the cliff, she called me," Luca said, his words getting stuck in his chest. "She called me and I didn't pick up. I was on the phone trying to find you after you ran away. If I had picked up her call, I could have stopped her. I could have told her to stay where she was and I would go get her. But I didn't pick up her call."

Daisy didn't know what to say as she felt all the air in her lungs burn her alive.

"I picked you that night," Luca said. "I picked you over Stella."

"And you regret it."

Luca's face fell, "No-"

Daisy stepped back as Luca tried to take her hand. In the nursery, Theo began to cry. She turned around aimlessly and walked into the other room. Picking up the baby, Daisy began to rock him, tears rolling down her face like a waterfall.

Luca stood in the bedroom staring at her, waiting for her to turn and look at him. But she didn't

Even after Theo fell asleep, Daisy held him in her arms and stood crying with her back turned towards Luca. Luca sat on the edge of the bed with his elbows on his knees and eyes locked on Daisy as he listened to her cry. Each tear that hit the floor was a pin that dove into his heart.

Two hearts bleed out on the floor in the darkness with no sign of help.  

~Sign~