She hiccupped between her words.
Matthew didn't say anything, he just let her break down.
She cried for a good five minutes until she had no energy left.
Her eyes were swollen from crying.
Matthew turned to Jacob and motioned to him.
Jacob shook his head. He couldn't and didn't want to face her.
Matthew insisted.
+ Come here.
Jacob squeezed his eyes shut and stepped toward them.
Matthew stepped back slightly and sent a quick text.
+ Get the helicopter ready. We're leaving in fifteen minutes.
Jacob knelt in front of Diana.
She lifted her gaze and stared at him.
Her tears fell silently now.
Her eyes looked exhausted.
Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her trembling, fragile body and pulled her into his chest.
One hand rested on her hair, gently stroking it.
_ I'm sorry, baby… I'm so sorry.
- Jacob…
Diana whimpered.
_ I couldn't. Okay? I couldn't let you go in there.
You would've died.
Again...
- Jake…
_ You matter to us…
I swear to God, you matter.
We can't lose you.
Be strong for me, okay?
I promise we'll find who did this. Are you listening to me?
She grabbed his shirt tightly.
- What am I supposed to do?
Luca…
He… he only had me…
What am I supposed to tell Ginny and Dean?
_ I promise you…
Trust me.
Gently, he lifted her by her arms and placed her back on the couch.
Her tears kept falling silently as she stared at Matthew.
There was nothing readable in her expression.
Matthew looked at both of them.
+ Don't go back to the mansion for now.
You're safe here.
I doubt he'll dare make another move… but still.
He looked at Jacob.
+ You'll handle things from here.
He gestured toward Diana.
+ don't leave her alone. Not even for a minute.
I'll have a psychologist come see her.
And you're not going to resist, blue eyes. Got it?
He doubted Diana even understood what he was saying.
He opened the side closet and took out two suits.
He set aside his shirt and jacket and put on a black shirt instead.
Then he walked to the cabinet and took out his favorite pack of cigarettes.
Jacob was sitting on the couch, drained.
_ You're taking the helicopter to the airport?
+ Yeah. I'll try to call you.
If I can't, don't worry.
Nothing there can threaten me.
It shouldn't take long… but still.
He looked at Diana.
It was the first time he was leaving her.
He tried to memorize her face.
+ I'll be back soon.
He nodded to Jacob and walked out.
The sound of the door closing echoed through the penthouse.
Jacob stared at the door for a few seconds, then turned back to Diana.
_ Do you want me to bring you something?
Aren't you hungry?
She shut her eyes painfully.
Her mind was tearing her apart.
- No… I just want to sleep.
He sighed.
Even when she spoke, her voice trembled.
_ I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, okay?
She didn't answer, just curled into herself.
Jacob kept talking to her softly, stroking her hair until she finally fell asleep.
After all that crying and pressure, it wasn't surprising.
He guessed she was replaying the scene in her head.
Every replay was like another wound carved into her heart.
He cleaned and dressed her wounds.
He gave her hope.
Said maybe Luca hadn't been inside the house.
Maybe he had gotten out earlier.
And Diana just looked at him silently.
How could he still hope? How?
That night passed.
Barely.
A psychologist came every other day to talk to Diana.
She was a little better.
Still withdrawn, still trying to erase those scenes from her mind.
A few days had passed since that cursed day.
There was no news from Matthew.
Diana didn't want to ask.
In her mind, everyone was guilty.
Herself. Matthew. Jacob.
The room she was staying in had a beautiful view of New York and Central Park.
But she couldn't believe she'd become so numb that even looking at it didn't lift her mood.
Jacob hadn't stepped out of the tower once just like Matthew told him.
He forced her to eat lunch and dinner.
Forced her to watch movies with him.
Sometimes even dragged her to the shower just to help her relax.
For the first time after losing someone she loved, she wasn't alone.
She didn't realize it, but Jacob's presence was a huge help.
It was past one in the morning.
She quietly got out of bed and opened the door.
She walked toward the room where Jacob was sleeping.
The door was half open.
She could hear his voice.
He was speaking softly.
_ How far did you get?
_ Really?
There was a pause. Then he sighed.
_ Good… I mean, she seems a little calmer.
At least better than the first day.
_ Matthew… what if the guy is really dead?
I've been telling her maybe he got out.
I've been giving her hope.
_ Is everything okay over there?
He turned toward the door and saw Diana.
_ I'll call you back.
Yeah, she's here.
Alright. Bye.
He ended the call.
_ Something wrong, Diana?
- No.
Jacob walked toward her, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and guided her back toward the bed.
_ Can't sleep?
- No… I think I slept too much this morning.
_ Let's talk for a bit.
Maybe it'll help, okay?