♥ Chapter 22♥

Enzo D'Angelo.

My words echo through the room, and the silence that follows is overwhelming. Tears start streaming down my face, hot and bitter, burning my skin as a reminder of the pain I feel. I feel as if a storm is brewing inside me, ready to explode.

My mother quickly approaches me and wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly. The warmth of her body is comforting, as if she's trying to transfer her own strength to me. I bury my face in her shoulder, and my sobs finally erupt, shaking my whole body. I squeezed her so hard that my fingers hurt.

'' Shhh... It's all right, darling. You can let it all out. '' She murmurs softly, gently stroking my hair. Her voice is a balm for my pain, and, for a moment, I feel as if I'm safe, protected from all evil. You've suffered so much, I never imagined it. I really am sorry.

As she speaks, her fingers continue to run gently through my hair, and I feel my body relax little by little. The tension goes away, like a receding tide, leaving me exhausted but a little more at peace.

''Is that better?'' she asks, her eyes full of concern. I nod, pulling away a little to wipe away my tears with the back of my hand.

'' I'm sorry... I just exploded.'' I say, my voice still shaky.

She takes my face in her hands and places a soft kiss on my forehead.

''You don't have to apologize, it's okay. It's nice to see that you can cry,'' she jokes, trying to lighten the mood, which makes me let out a small laugh. Her attempt to cheer me up always makes me feel better.

'' É... '' I sigh, still feeling the weight of everything that's been said.

''You don't have to pretend to be strong anymore, Enzo. It's okay to be kind to those around you,'' she continues, her voice firm but full of tenderness.

''That's going to be difficult, Mom. I still get angry easily. '' I reply, allowing myself to smile a little as she laughs with me. Her laughter is soft, like the sound of bells in the wind, and for a moment, the room seems a little lighter.

''I really hope those twins want something serious with you, otherwise they'll feel my hand on their face.'' she says with false seriousness, and I end up laughing. There's something comforting about knowing that she'll always be by my side.

''The problem will be whether I want them, Mom,'' I say, and we're still sitting on the floor, side by side, our backs resting on the bed. The cold floor contrasts with the warmth of the moment, creating a strange but familiar sensation.


''What do you feel around them?'' she asks, her curiosity evident.

''For the first time, I can stand someone's touch. I don't feel repulsed by their touch. The kiss Luan gave me... I thought it was good, but I still feel insecure, thinking that they might just be playing with me. They even said it was love at first sight, but I don't really believe that.'' I admit to trying to organize my thoughts. Talking about it out loud makes it all a bit more real, but it also helps me better understand what I'm feeling.

''Darling, love at first sight does exist, but it's a rare thing,'' she says, her voice full of understanding. ''You see, you know I was sold by my parents to your parents. It wasn't love at first sight, but they started to care about me, and I started to feel comfortable around them. But what happened as love at first sight was with your brother.

'' Alex and Klaus? '' I ask, and she nods.

''Klaus grew up alongside Alex. The two of them liked each other from the moment they met, but it was brotherly love at first. Then, as Klaus grew up, they both developed feelings for each other. They fell in love when Klaus was still young, and since Alex didn't want anything yet, he waited. And you saw how hard they fought to be together.

I end up laughing, remembering the countless times the two of them tried to hide their feelings but failed miserably.

'' And how... '' I continue laughing. ''It was quite unbearable.

She kisses my forehead affectionately.

'' That's my Enzo. I love to see him laughing and smiling,'' she says, and I smile back, feeling the warmth of her affection. I kiss her cheek in return.

''I'll try not to be so grouchy, Mom,'' I promise, knowing it will be difficult but willing to try.

'' You're just like your father, Elijah. Elijah is only good with his family; apart from that, he doesn't give a damn about anyone else. '' she says, and I smile, recognizing this truth.

'' It's true. '' I agree, letting out a heavy sigh. ''We still have a party to go to. I hate crowded places.

'' I know, but stay close to us, and everything will be fine. '' she replies, trying to reassure me.

'' Okay.

'' Shall we go back to the living room? '' she suggests, but I shake my head negatively.

''I'm going to their room, maybe I'll take a nap before the party,'' I say, and she agrees, giving me one last encouraging smile.

''All right.

We leave the room, and I head towards the twins' bedroom. The corridor seems longer than usual, as if each step echoes my anxiety and relief. I let out a sigh as I entered the room, the familiarity of the space calming me. I walk over to the bed where I'm staying, lie down on it, and take a deep breath, feeling the soft mattress beneath me.

Furthermore, I feel good now, as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. My body feels light, as if it could float. A soft smile forms on my lips, and I close my eyes, allowing the tiredness to take me. The darkness behind my eyelids is welcoming, and I fall asleep, feeling a peace I haven't felt for a long time.