[Alfio's POV]
The door opened.
And light…God, the light. It hurt.
It felt like something sacred was pouring into a place that had forgotten what warmth was. Like I didn't deserve it. I squinted, breath catching in my throat as my eyes adjusted—and there he was.
Salvo.
He stood there, framed by the doorway like a ghost of a man, eyes wide, jaw tight. But he didn't move. Didn't speak. Just… stood.
He looked at me like I was something broken that he didn't know how to fix. Like he didn't know whether to reach for me or shut the door again.
And for a second—just a second—I wanted him to.To close it.Lock it.Throw away the key.
Because then I wouldn't have to pretend anymore. I wouldn't have to hope again. Because hope... was more dangerous than darkness.
But he didn't close it.He stepped in.
And my body moved before my brain did. I dropped to my knees, hands to the floor, head bowed so low I could feel the cold tiles kiss my forehead.
