Lucia’s heart pounded in her chest as she stood in front of Nicholo, the man she thought she could love freely again. The man she had shared her heart with. The man who, just last night, had held her in his arms as if there was nothing standing between them. But now, the weight of reality settled heavily on her shoulders, and it was almost too much to bear.
“Nicholo,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “I can’t do this.”
Nicholo’s eyes widened in desperation. “Lucia, please, don’t say that.”
But she couldn’t stop. The words tumbled out of her, each one cutting deeper into her own heart. “You’re married, Nicholo. To Elina. Our friend. Our best friend.”
Nicholo stepped closer, his hand reaching out as if to touch her, but Lucia took a step back, putting distance between them. Her mind w
