STEFANO

I punch the life out of the punching bag in front of me, my knuckles bruised and covered in blood. The rhythmic thud of my fists against the leather echoes through the empty gym, drowning out the sound of my ragged breathing. I've lost track of time, but the fading stars and the soft glow of dawn filtering through the windows tell me I've been here all night.

The creak of the door and the sharp click of heels against the marble floor break through my haze of anger and guilt. I don't need to turn around to know who it is.

"Stefano," Aurora's voice is soft, concerned. I ignore her, continuing my relentless assault on the punching bag. "You need to take a break," she says, grabbing the bag to stop its swinging.

I move wordlessly to another bag, my hands aching for the impact. Aurora follows, her designer heels incongruous in the stark gym setting. "Stefano, what happened is not your fault. Please come to the hospital and see Andrea. It might be the last time you might ever see her," she pleads, her voice cracking with emotion.

I still don't reply, my mind consumed by the image of Ivan's face on the punching bag. I need to keep hitting it, need to let out the fury that's tearing me apart. Aurora steps in front of me, grabbing my raised fist in mid-air.

"Aurora, I suggest you move away," I say, my voice devoid of emotion. All I see is Ivan's face, and I need to obliterate it. I don't care that my hands are a mess of blood and bruises. I just need to keep going.

"Stefano, I am so sorry this happened, but you can't blame yourself like last time. What happened then and now is not your fault. Please, stop blaming yourself." Aurora's voice is filled with a mix of desperation and love. She knows me too well, knows that my refusal to go to the hospital is rooted in guilt.

I feel my control slipping, the carefully constructed walls crumbling. "Aurora, you are telling me it's not my fault when Andrea is lying in the hospital, barely alive. You are standing here in front of me, telling me it is not my fault when the motherfucker that did that to her is Vladimir. You know it's my fault; you are just saying it isn't, so I won't kill myself for allowing it to happen. Do not worry, I won't. I am only allowed to die when Vladimir is dead!"

The words pour out of me, raw and painful. I'm dressed in black sweatpants and a tank top, both drenched in sweat. My hands, wrapped in bloodied tape, tremble with exhaustion and barely contained fury.

If I hadn't allowed myself to fall for Andrea, if I had kept my heart closed off, she wouldn't be lying in a hospital bed, fighting for her life. I made a mistake by letting her in by believing I could have something good in this life. Deep down, I know it's not her fault. She's an amazing woman, and it was impossible not to fall for her.

Aurora opens her mouth to speak, then closes it, repeating this a few times as she struggles to find the right words. Finally, she sighs deeply, her shoulders sagging in defeat. "Stefano, still, please stop blaming yourself. Come to visit the hospital and visit Andrea."

"This is where I am meant to be right now," I reply, turning away from her. I hear her release a deep sigh, probably giving up and, and her footsteps retreating, the sound of her heels fading as she leaves me alone with my demons.

As the door closes behind her, I let out an anguished scream. "Fuck!" The memory of finding Andrea in my penthouse, surrounded by a pool of her own blood, flashes before my eyes. I can still feel her body growing cold in my arms as I desperately call for Samuel to get help. I had never felt fear like that in my life, but in that moment, it gripped my heart like an icy fist.

The luxurious gym, with its state-of-the-art equipment and panoramic views of the city, feels suffocating. I should have known better than to let anyone close, to allow myself to feel. Andrea's vibrant smile and warm eyes haunt me, a stark contrast to the broken, bloodied form I had cradled in my arms.

I turn back to the punching bag, my resolve hardening. I will make Vladimir pay for what he's done and never again make the mistake of opening my heart. The price is too high, and Andrea is paying it with her life.

***

I stand under the rain, the steady patter a somber accompaniment to my thoughts. Samuel holds the umbrella over me as I place a bouquet of vibrant red roses on Evelyn's tombstone. The polished granite reads "Evelyn Joan Harper, a loving daughter," a stark reminder of a life cut short.

The cemetery is quiet, save for the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft whisper of raindrops. The air is heavy with the scent of wet earth and flowers. I can't remember the last time I visited this place. It feels like an eternity, and I know it's because of Andrea. I expect to feel bad for not visiting Evelyn in months, but I don't feel that bad. I feel stupid that I didn't learn from what happened to Evelyn.

"Wait for me in the car," I say to Samuel, taking the umbrella from him. He nods silently and retreats, his footsteps fading into the background.

Alone with Evelyn's memory, I feel a sad smile tug at the corners of my mouth. It's an unfamiliar expression; anger has been my constant companion these past few days. "Hello, Evelyn," I say softly, my voice barely audible above the rain. "How are you doing? I know it's been a while since I came to visit. Knowing you, I'm sure you'd be happy about why I haven't come."

I pause, collecting my thoughts. The rain seems to intensify, mirroring the turmoil in my heart. "I followed your words and allowed my heart to feel something for someone again, but I think it was a big mistake, Evelyn. I might never get to see her again because I allowed myself to be with her."

My voice catches, and I take a deep breath before continuing. "I know if you were here, you'd tell me the same thing Aurora is saying, but you, of all people, know I can't help but feel guilty about it. I thought if I held onto you, I would never feel something for another woman, but I was wrong."

I close my eyes, remembering Andrea. "I still remember the first night I truly noticed her beauty. I knew she was beautiful, but that night, I truly realized she was the most beautiful woman on this earth. The way her beautiful long brown hair flowed down her back as her beautiful ocean blue eyes stared at me that night took my breath away. I knew from that moment that my plan had failed, and I was falling for her. I couldn't even believe I fell for her after loving you for so many years, but I did. I'm sorry."

The rain soaks through my expensive suit, but I hardly notice. "I don't know what to do, Evelyn. My heart keeps telling me it's not my fault for what happened to her, but my brain keeps reminding me of you, and what my heart wants is useless again. I know you would tell me to follow my heart, but I can't this time. I will make him pay for what he did to Andrea. I owe it to you too, Evelyn."

I take one last look at the tombstone, my heart heavy. "It was nice talking to you. Goodbye."

As I walk back to the car, my shoes sinking slightly into the wet grass, I make a decision. "Samuel, drive me to the hospital," I say as I slide into the backseat.

The truth is, I've been visiting Andrea every night as she fights for her life. I spend the nights with her, leaving before anyone arrives in the morning. I needed my sister to believe I couldn't face Andrea, hoping that Andrea would believe the same thing when the time came. The only night I missed was the night she truly fought death, the night I wanted to be there the most.

As we drive through the rain-slicked streets, I steel myself for another night of silent vigil, torn between hope and fear, love and guilt. The city lights blur through the rain-streaked windows, a fitting backdrop to the storm raging within me.

ANDREA

Pain is the first thing I register as awareness slowly seeps back into my body. Every inch of me aches, a deep, throbbing reminder that I'm alive. I struggle to open my eyes, my lids feeling impossibly heavy. When I finally manage to pry them open, the world is a blur of white and muted colors.

As my vision gradually clears, I find myself staring at a stark white ceiling. The sterile smell of disinfectant and the soft, rhythmic beeping of machines nearby tell me I'm in a hospital before I can even fully process my surroundings. Confusion washes over me as I try to piece together what happened. The last thing I remember was the dark, terrifying moments when I thought my life was ending. Those fragments of memory send shivers down my spine. How did I survive such a brutal beating? Or did I?

I attempt to sit up, but my bandaged hands protest sharply when I try to use them for support. The pain makes me gasp, drawing attention to how parched my throat feels. As I'm taking stock of my battered body, a familiar voice breaks through my disoriented haze.

"Oh, my God, you are awake! Santiago, she is awake!" Her eyes are brimming with tears as she rushes to my bedside, enveloping me in a tight embrace. "You're alive!" she sobs, her tears dampening my hospital gown. The dark circles under her eyes and her pale complexion tell the story of sleepless nights and constant worry.

The relief in her voice is palpable, but so is the pressure on my aching body. "Mom, I love you, but you're crushing me right now," I manage to croak out.

She quickly releases me, hovering anxiously as Santiago appears in the doorway. His usually carefree face is etched with concern as he asks, "How are you feeling, Sis?" He shakes his head, answering his own question. "Why am I even asking that? You must be in a lot of pain."

I offer a weak smile. "I am in a lot of pain, but what matters most is that I'm alive." The absence of my father doesn't go unnoticed, but I push down the hurt. Even after nearly dying, he couldn't be bothered to show up.

As the day goes on, a steady stream of visitors flows through my hospital room. Aurora and her family come by, their faces etched with relief and lingering concern. It's only then that I learn the full extent of what happened - I've been in a coma for an entire week. The doctor's words echo in my mind, a chilling reminder of how close I came to death. "You're lucky to be alive," he said solemnly. "The beating you endured should have killed you." A shiver runs down my spine, but I push the dark thoughts away, focusing instead on the miracle of my survival.

As the hours tick by, I can't help but notice one glaring absence. The person I long to see most, Stefano, hasn't come to visit. Worry gnaws at my stomach as the day wears on. Does he not know I'm awake? I reach for my phone, ready to dial his number, when the door suddenly opens.

And there he is, as devastatingly handsome as ever, but something's off. Dark circles underline his eyes, and exhaustion is etched into every line of his face. It looks like he hasn't slept in days.

"Hello, Andrea," he says, his voice flat and emotionless. My heart sinks. Where's the joy, the relief I expected to see?

I force a smile, trying to ignore the unease growing in my chest. "Hi Stefano, I was worried you didn't know I was awake. I'm so happy you're finally here."

"How are you feeling?" His words are mechanical, devoid of any warmth.

"I'm in a lot of pain," I admit, "but the doctor says with time, I'll get better. The pain will go away."

Stefano nods, his expression unreadable. "That's good to hear. I need to tell you something important."

"I'm listening." Dread coils in my stomach, a sense of foreboding I can't shake.

"Andrea, we can't be together anymore."

The words hit me like a physical blow. "What did you just say?" I whisper, praying I misheard.

"I don't want to be with you anymore." Stefano's voice is cold, cutting through me like a million tiny knives.

Tears sting my eyes as confusion and hurt war within me. "Why are you saying this to me?"

"While you were in the coma, I realized that I don't have feelings for you anymore." His face is a blank mask, revealing nothing.

"Stefano, I don't believe you!" I cry, my voice breaking. "How can you stop having feelings for me while I was fighting for my life?" The tears spill over, tracking hot trails down my cheeks. His words are like poison, seeping into my veins, but a part of me refuses to accept them. He can't mean it, can he? Does he really not care about me anymore?

"If I cared about you, would I tell you something like this when you just woke up from a coma?" Stefano's voice is harsh, unyielding. "I don't have any feelings for you anymore. Goodbye, Andrea." And with that, he turns and walks out, the door closing behind him with a finality that shatters my heart.

I stare at the door in disbelief, my mind reeling. How can this be happening? Everything was fine between us before the attack. I try to draw a breath, but my lungs won't cooperate. My chest tightens, each inhale a struggle as sobs wrack my body. A piercing scream fills the room, and it takes a moment to realize it's coming from me.

The agony is unlike anything I've ever experienced. It feels like my heart is being ripped from my chest, leaving a gaping, raw wound in its place. I can't believe the love of my life just left me. I did not even know I was in love with him until now. The future I envisioned for us, the life I dreamed we'd build together, crumbles to dust before my eyes.

I can't imagine going on without Stefano by my side. When I woke up, all I wanted was to see his face, to feel his arms around me, and know that everything would be okay. Now, as despair threatens to consume me, a traitorous part of my mind whispers that maybe it would have been better if I never woke up at all. At least then, I would have been spared this pain, left only with the beautiful memories of what we once shared.

But I did wake up. I survived. And now, I must find a way to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart and learn to live without the man I thought was my forever. Even if it feels impossible right now.

Aurora has been looking for her brother for hours since she arrived in California. Once her brother told her the devastating news about her friend, she wasted no time and took the fastest flight out of Chicago to California. She expected to find her brother in the hospital but was not surprised when she arrived and didn't see him there. Aurora knew what happened last time, she knew her brother could not stand to bear it, again. Aurora knew her brother must be going through hell because of what happened to her dear friend. She felt a little guilty about what happened. This is not what she wished to happen when she suggested her brother date, Andrea. Aurora only wanted her brother to be happy again after so many years, it feels like she only scarred her brother more for life.