A few hours later.
Standing in front of the hospital bed, the young man remained motionless, his hands buried in his pockets, his gaze fixed on Giovanni. His heart beat steadily, torn between impatience and vigilance. Every breath the patient took echoed through the silent room, reminding him how much every second could matter.
His eyes lit up slightly when Giovanni fluttered his eyelids and finally seemed to emerge from his unconscious state. Without wasting a second, he stepped closer and sat down on the chair beside the bed, his calm, reassuring posture betraying a quiet determination.
Man (calmly)
_ Good evening, sir. How are you feeling?
Giovanni (weakly, his voice still trembling)
_ I'm fine, young man, but… may I know what happened? Why am I in a hospital bed? Uh… I don't remember anything, except that I had made a phone call and—
Man (reassuring, gentle tone)
_ Calm down. You were simply unconscious. I brought you here to make sure everything would be alright. I suppose you're starting to feel better now, because I'll have to leave.
Giovanni (grateful, a faint smile on his lips)
_ Ah, thank you very much, my son. You can go. I already feel better. I'll go home once I've gathered my thoughts.
The young man stood up, his face still calm, though a slight flicker of satisfaction crossed his eyes, knowing everything was under control.
Man (calmly)
_ Your car is outside. I slightly damaged the door while transporting you, but it's already been repaired. I also took care of the hospital bills, so you can leave without worry.
After saying these words, he turned around and gently opened the door, ready to leave. But Giovanni's curious voice stopped him in his tracks.
Giovanni (curious, eyes narrowed)
_ My son… may I know your name?
Man (calmly)
_ Lorenzo. Lorenzo De Santis. That's my name.
After that revelation, he left the room and softly closed the door behind him. Giovanni remained there, eyes slightly widened, breath caught. That last name… it was none other than his boss's. And at that very moment, he realized that he had been saved by his own boss's son.
End of flashback.
Giovanni (inner voice)
I know I will die soon. Eight years I've been fighting lung cancer, and I never told the truth to my daughter. Back then, her mother had already abandoned us, and Chloé was too young to understand how serious my illness was. I fought for her, alone, since she was two years old, and I'm proud of the path we've walked together. Every smile, every burst of laughter from my daughter became my strength, and I want her to remain protected, no matter what.
Two weeks ago, I overheard my boss talking on the phone about finding a woman for his son, someone who could watch over him and guide him in his responsibilities. I already knew that boy: he had saved my life the day Chloé's mother threatened to come back and take her. So I accepted Mr. Carlo's offer. Not because of money, but because I knew my time was running out. With Lorenzo, I know Chloé will be safe and loved, far from her mother's dangers and manipulations. My heart is at peace knowing she will be in good hands.
I refuse to let Aurore take my daughter. I searched, I tried to understand the woman she has become, and what I discovered about her new life chilled me to the bone. Nothing reassures me, nothing makes me want to entrust Chloé to her. I'd rather leave her in the hands of a stranger than see her beside an unstable mother.
Chloé has always had that rebellious character, that strength that pushes her to never let herself be crushed. But behind that façade, I know how sensitive she is. And that sensitivity comes from me. It's what I passed on to her. I already knew her decision before she even spoke it. I knew she would accept that insane marriage, only so I could undergo my surgery. She loves me, perhaps more than she admits, and I love her with a love that goes beyond everything. I will protect her, at all costs.
Lost in his thoughts, Giovanni stared into the void without even realizing it. Words echoed painfully in his mind. He didn't notice the nurse standing beside him, trying several times to get his attention. It was only when she gently placed a hand on his shoulder that he startled violently, pulled out of his inner world. His eyes, still clouded with anxiety, finally met hers, and he took a deep breath, as if returning to reality after a long apnea.
Nurse (worried)
_ Sir, are you alright? I've been talking to you for a while, but you weren't responding. Are you okay?
Giovanni (smiling faintly)
_ Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, I was thinking about my daughter.
Nurse (reassuring)
_ If you'd like, I can call her so she can come see you.
Giovanni (calmly)
_ No, no. I already spoke to her yesterday. She'll come see me, but not now. Give me my medication; I'll rest in my room. I need to prepare for my surgery in a few days.
Nurse (smiling)
_ Very well, I'll bring it right away.
The nurse handed him the medication with a glass of water. Giovanni took them slowly, aware that, despite everything, the illness would eventually claim him.
---
A few hours later / Night.
Night had already settled, wrapping the house in gentle darkness. Chloé was alone after Lila's departure, and it had taken her a long time to leave her room. She finally settled in the living room, on the couch. The coffee table still held the remains of her dinner, which she had just finished.
Dressed in her evening pajamas—a comfortable long pink pair of pants and a matching small top that revealed her flat stomach and subtly highlighted her firm chest—she had tied her long hair into a bun, revealing her luminous, angelic face. Even in her simplicity, she looked stunning that night. Her eyes were fixed on the television as she waited for her best friend, Valentina, to finally answer her call. Legs crossed on the couch, phone in one hand, remote in the other, she looked both relaxed and impatient.
Chloé (murmuring)
_ Answer already, damn it, Val… where are you…
Voice (cutting in)
_ Hello? Who is this?
She hadn't even finished her sentence when Val's voice rang out on the other end of the line.
Chloé (smiling)
_ My dear, how are you? It's me, Chloé!
Val (trembling voice)
_ Seriously? Is that really you? You're alive?
Chloé (rolling her eyes)
_ Are you crazy or what? What do you mean I'm alive? You wanted me dead or something?
Val (angry)
_ Well, what do you expect me to say, traitor? I haven't seen you for days, you disappeared without warning. I thought you were dead! But hey… too bad that's not the case.
Chloé (shouting)
_ WHAAAT? "Too bad"? So you wished I was dead? You're insane!
Val (bursting into laughter)
_ Relax, sweetheart, I'm kidding! I was just super mad at you. Seriously, where were you? We planned to spend the vacation week together and now there are barely two days left! You totally ditched me, girl!
Chloé (sighing, amused despite herself)
_ Instead of judging me right away, ask me first why I disappeared. And if I tell you I'm married now… would you believe it or not?
Val (laughing hard)
_ Hahaha, are you serious? You're married? Girl, stop it, I'm gonna choke!
Chloé (serious)
_ Stop laughing. I'm serious. I'm not joking.
Val (still laughing)
_ Girl, have you lost your mind or what? Married? Did you dream that or have a post-vacation hallucination?
Chloé fell silent for a moment, her gaze lost in the void, her expression growing calmer and more serious.
Chloé (calm and composed)
_ I got married a few days ago… almost a week now.
Val (screaming, shocked)
_ WHAAAAAT????????
Val's scream made Chloé jump, and she let out a nervous laugh despite herself.
Val (still screaming)
_ Girl, are you messing with me? Seriously, what did you do? How could you just get married like that?
Calmly, Chloé told Valentina everything about her rushed marriage to Lorenzo, but she kept the wild, intimidating side of her husband to herself, focusing instead on the official and amusing details.
Val (shouting)
_ This is insane!
Chloé (sighing, slightly annoyed)
_ Val, can you stop screaming please? I feel like you're right next to me. My eardrums are about to explode.
Val (calmer, but still shocked)
_ I'm just shocked, babe… So you're a married woman now? Seriously? And what about your studies?
Chloé (reassuring)
_ Of course I'll continue my studies after the holidays. I'll live my life the way I want. You think I was going to become a housewife, Netflix and tea cups all day? No way. I'm free as the wind.
Val (curious, teasing)
_ And the handsome guy then? What's he like?
Chloé (calm, almost serious)
_ He's fine. Super handsome. And very gentle… my new husband.
Val (nosy, laughing softly)
_ Hmm… sure he's gentle? Like, not some psycho in a suit who kidnapped you for a quick wedding? And are you sure he loves you?
Chloé (composed, ironic smile)
_ We'll learn to love each other. Honestly, I got married so my dad could get the money for his surgery and be at peace. My husband? I'm not even worried. You know me—I don't cry over my problems.
Val (sighing, protective)
_ Yeah, but still… I wish it hadn't happened like this. But don't worry, girl. If you're not happy, I'll get you out of there. No way some guy takes advantage of you. We'll work hard, pay your dad back, and then… divorce, baby.
Chloé smiled timidly, touched by her friend's sincere words. She opened her mouth to reply, but the sound of the living room door opening made her freeze.
Her eyes landed on Lorenzo, who had just walked in carrying a woman in his arms, dressed only in a thong and a bra. The woman had her legs wrapped around Lorenzo's waist and her arms tightly around his neck.
Seeing them, Chloé's eyes widened in shock, and in a panicked reflex, she immediately ended the call. Her heart pounding, she remained frozen, unable to believe what was unfolding before her eyes.
The door slammed shut behind Lorenzo, kicked closed with a sharp movement. His heavy footsteps echoed through the room as he walked darkly toward the couch. Around his neck, his mistress laughed softly, planting provocative kisses as if marking her territory.
Reaching the couches, Lorenzo completely ignored Chloé, as if she didn't exist. Without a glance, he roughly dropped the girl onto the couch directly across from Chloé. Then, slowly, he turned toward her. His eyes were cold and hard, and his fingers began unbuttoning his shirt one by one, deliberately slow, as if challenging her.
Behind him, the girl had already made herself comfortable. Sitting there with an insolent smile, she removed her bra and threw an amused look at Chloé, savoring her pain. Chloé remained rooted to the spot, mouth slightly open, breath short. Her eyes were fixed on the scene, unable to understand what was happening or why Lorenzo was daring to humiliate her like this.
Lorenzo (cold, commanding voice)
_ Go to your room. I want to use the living room.
Chloé (eyes wide, trembling voice)
_ What? What did you just say?
She jumped up from the couch, her body on fire, boiling with rage, fully aware of what Lorenzo was trying to impose. Her heart raced, her hands shook, but her eyes burned with fury.
Lorenzo (furious)
_ Get the hell out of my living room. I want to empty my balls here, damn it. Are you deaf or what?
Chloé felt blood rush to her head, her face turning red with anger.
Chloé (red with rage)
_ Are you kidding me right now? In case you forgot, let me remind you—I'm your wife! How dare you bring a whore here, into our home, and then tell me to leave so you can get yourself off?! Are you out of your damn mind or did a wire come loose in your brain?
SPLASH.
The slap landed violently on Chloé's cheek. The sharp sound echoed throughout the room. Her head snapped to the side, tears instantly springing to her eyes, but she wiped them away with the back of her hand, refusing to show weakness. Her eyes shone with pain, but above all, with determination.
Chloé (furious, voice trembling with rage)
_ You can slap me as much as you want, but believe me, that whore won't stay one more minute in this house.
With an icy glare, Chloé shoved Lorenzo aside with all the strength of her anger. She lunged at the girl still sitting on the couch, breasts exposed, wearing an insolent smile. Without hesitation, Chloé grabbed her by the hair and yanked her up brutally.
The girl screamed, clutching at Chloé's hand, trying to free herself.
Lorenzo (shouting)
_ What the hell are you doing?! Damn it—
The girl (screaming)
_ Aaaah! My hair! Let go of me, savage!
Chloé (red with rage, screaming)
_ You whore, you won't get away with this! The next time you see my man, you'll run after what I'm about to do to you today, bitch!
Eyes blazing with fury, Chloé dragged her by the hair across the living room. The girl's body twisted, she stumbled, her screams echoing like a victory song to Chloé. Reaching the door, Chloé flung it open and, with icy brutality, threw her outside with all her strength.
The girl crashed heavily onto the ground, half-naked, humiliated, breasts exposed, wearing nothing but a thong. She groaned in pain, her face twisted with shame.
Chloé (spitting her words, furious)
_ Get the hell out of my house before I come back and pour boiling water on you, you filthy bitch! Next time you look for clients, ask them if they have a wife at home. Because if another woman dares touch my husband, I'll crush her without hesitation.
She slammed the door violently, leaving the girl outside, collapsed, shame clinging to her skin. The sound of the door echoed like thunder in the silence.
But the moment Chloé turned around…
SPLASH. SPLASH.
To be continued…