I didn't sleep.
Not even for a second.
Every sound in that apartment made my heart race—the faint movement from another room, footsteps, low voices. They were always there. Always close. Always watching.
I sat at the edge of the bed, hugging myself, trying to make sense of everything Alessandro had said.
You stay alive.
The words wouldn't leave my head.
So this was real. This wasn't some weird misunderstanding anymore. I was stuck here—with them.
And somehow… that scared me less than what could happen if I left.
A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.
I froze.
"Come out," Matteo's voice came from the other side.
Not asking. Telling.
I hesitated for a second before standing up slowly and walking to the door. My hand hovered over the handle before I finally opened it.
Matteo was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking completely relaxed—like none of this was strange to him.
"Good, you're awake," he said, his eyes scanning me in a way that made me uncomfortable.
"I wasn't sleeping," I replied quietly.
"I figured," he smirked. "You don't look like someone who slept."
I didn't respond.
"Come," he added, pushing himself off the wall. "You're not staying locked in there all day."
"I didn't lock myself in," I said.
"Same difference."
I followed him reluctantly into the living room.
Alessandro was there.
Of course he was.
Standing near the window, his back slightly turned, his presence alone enough to make the room feel tense. Luca sat on the couch, calm as always, watching everything without saying a word.
The moment I stepped in, Alessandro looked at me.
And just like that… everything shifted again.
"You're awake," he said.
It wasn't a question.
"Yes," I replied.
Silence followed.
Uncomfortable. Heavy.
Matteo walked past me and casually dropped onto the couch beside Luca, stretching his arms like he owned the place.
Actually… he did.
"Sit," Alessandro said.
I didn't move.
"I'm fine standing," I replied.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"That wasn't a suggestion."
My stomach tightened.
Slowly, I walked over and sat at the far end of the couch, putting as much distance between me and Matteo as possible.
Matteo noticed.
Of course he did.
"You're avoiding me," he said, amused.
"I'm being careful," I replied.
He laughed softly.
"I like her," he said again, glancing at Alessandro. "She's not boring."
"She's not yours," Alessandro replied instantly.
The room went quiet.
My breath caught.
Matteo's smile didn't disappear… but it changed.
Slightly.
Dangerously.
"Relax," he said. "I didn't say she was."
Alessandro didn't respond.
But his eyes were still on me.
Watching.
Measuring.
Controlling.
It made my skin feel warm and uneasy at the same time.
"I'm not something to argue over," I said suddenly.
Three pairs of eyes turned to me.
Great.
Now I had their full attention again.
"I'm serious," I continued, forcing my voice to stay steady. "You keep talking like I'm… I don't know—like I belong here or something. I don't."
Matteo leaned forward slightly.
"But you do," he said.
"I don't," I snapped.
"You're here, aren't you?" he replied.
"That doesn't mean anything."
"It means everything."
Before I could respond, Alessandro stood.
The movement alone shut the conversation down.
He walked toward me slowly, his gaze never leaving mine.
And just like before…
I couldn't move.
"You're still thinking about leaving," he said.
It wasn't a question.
I swallowed.
"Yes."
His jaw tightened slightly.
Then—
He reached for my arm.
I stiffened instantly as his hand wrapped around my wrist again.
Firm. Controlled.
Not gentle.
But not rough either.
"You don't understand the situation you're in," he said quietly.
"I understand enough," I replied.
"Clearly not."
Matteo stood up suddenly.
"Alright, that's enough," he said, walking closer. "You're gripping her like she's going to run."
"I am not hurting her," Alessandro said coldly.
"I didn't say you were," Matteo replied, his tone changing. "I'm saying you don't have to act like she's already yours."
Silence.
Thick.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Alessandro slowly turned his head toward him.
"What did you say?" he asked.
Matteo didn't back down.
"I said," he repeated, "you're acting like she belongs to you."
My heart was pounding now.
Fast.
Too fast.
Luca stood up quietly.
"Both of you—"
"Stay out of it," Alessandro said without looking at him.
Matteo smirked slightly.
"She's not just yours to control," he added.
That was it.
The air changed instantly.
Alessandro let go of my wrist.
But somehow… that felt worse.
Because now his full attention was on Matteo.
And it wasn't calm anymore.
"Don't touch her," Alessandro said.
His voice was low.
Controlled.
But there was something underneath it now.
Something dangerous.
Matteo tilted his head slightly.
"Or what?"
Silence.
Heavy.
Threatening.
Then Alessandro stepped closer.
Very close.
Close enough that I knew this wasn't just a conversation anymore.
"It won't end well for you," he said.
Matteo smiled.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
"We'll see about that."
"Enough," Luca stepped in firmly this time.
And for the first time…
They actually listened.
The tension didn't disappear.
It just… paused.
Barely.
I stood there, frozen, my heart still racing, trying to understand what just happened.
And then it hit me.
This wasn't just about control anymore.
This was something else.
Something deeper.
Something more dangerous.
They weren't just keeping me here.
They were starting to fight over me.
⸻
Who do you think Elena should trust more right now… Alessandro or Matteo? 👀