The silence in the room was heavy — the kind that could break bones. Lorenzo sat beside her bed, his eyes swollen, his heart bruised beyond words. Elena's breathing was soft but uneven, her hand resting weakly against her stomach. He brushed her hair from her face, guilt tightening his chest.
"Why did you do that to me, Lorenzo?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why did you tell me to leave… when you knew I had nowhere to go?"
He closed his eyes, a tear sliding down his cheek. "Because I was angry, Elena. Angry at myself for trusting, angry that I fell for someone who might destroy me. I didn't know what to believe anymore."
She sat up slowly, staring into his broken eyes. "And now? Do you believe me?"
He reached for her hand. "I don't know what to believe… but when I saw you chained in that basement, bleeding, crying for me… I realized I could lose everything that ever mattered to me. You. Our child. Everything."
A tear escaped her eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Lorenzo. I came for power, for my father's mission. But then I found something stronger than any mission — I found love. I found you."
He looked away, his jaw tightening. "You used me, Elena. You lied to me. You broke me."
"I know," she said, her voice cracking. "But I also saved you. When you were about to fall apart, I was there. When everyone betrayed you, I stood by you. Doesn't that count for something?"
He didn't answer — he just stared at her, his mind torn between rage and longing. Then, without warning, he pulled her into his arms. She gasped softly, feeling his heart race against hers.
"Don't ever leave me again," he whispered against her hair. "Even if I push you away… don't."
She looked up at him, eyes shimmering. "Then stop running from me."
Their lips met — slow at first, then desperate. The kind of kiss that burns through every wall, every secret, every scar. His hands trembled as they found her waist; her fingers gripped his shirt as if she was afraid he would disappear again.
The storm outside raged, but inside, time stood still. It wasn't just passion — it was forgiveness, pain, and love blending into one fire. When he pulled back, he pressed his forehead to hers, breathing heavily.
"I love you, Elena," he said finally, voice rough. "Not because you're perfect, but because you're mine. And I'll kill anyone who ever tries to take you from me again."
She smiled weakly through her tears. "Then promise me one thing, Lorenzo… no more secrets. From now on, we fight together."
He nodded, kissing her again — slow, deep, full of everything words could never say.
Outside, thunder rolled, as if the heavens themselves were witnessing the union of two broken souls finally finding their way back to each other.