ARIA’s POV
As I sat beside my husband, watching him toss and turn in his sleep, I took his hand in mine. It was clammy and shaking. I could see the perspiration on his forehead and the way his teeth chattered. I pushed back the wet strands of hair that were sticking to his face, trying to calm him. But it was no use. His body trembled, and he let out a small moan.
“Mom…”. My husband’s voice was weak and raspy, but I could just make out what he was saying.
“Mom,” he whispered, “Mom.” His hand gripped mine even harder, and I felt a surge of emotion. Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide and shouted, “Mom!” At the top of his lungs. It was a cry of pure terror, and I knew something was very wrong. As he looked around the room, his eyes fell on me. He held my hand in his, shaking and gasping for breath. His mouth was half-open, as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn’t quite find the words. I was told he didn’t allow anyone inside his room, so Carter stood by the door watching us.
Evelyn smiled softly as if to reassure me that everything was going to be okay. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that was growing inside of me. As I smiled at him, I could see his body relax a little. The doctor checked his vital signs and then turned to me. She spoke softly, “We should give him some time to rest,” she said. “I know it’s hard, but it’s for the best.” I nodded, trying to appear calm, but the truth was, her smile made me uneasy. There was something about it that didn’t feel right. It sent a shiver down my spine.
“Can we talk outside, Mrs. Matteo?”. She asked, and I nodded.
Matteo’s grip on my hand tightened, but I gently pulled my hand away. As I did, his eyes began to close, and I knew the doctor had given him something to help him sleep. I watched as his chest rose and fell slowly, his breathing steady and deep. I stood there for a moment, my heart racing as I watched him sleep.
I closed the door of the room behind me and then turned to Evelyn, who was waiting for me in the hallway. We started walking down the hallway, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the empty space. As we walked, I could feel a presence behind us. I turned around and saw Carter at the end of the hallway, staring at us intently. His eyes were cold and calculating, and I felt a chill run down my spine. He started walking towards us, closing the distance between us with each step. Evelyn remained silent, her face expressionless, but I could tell she was ready for him. Why was she scared of Carter?. I couldn’t help but think.
“What happened to him again?”. Carter’s voice was low and tense, despite the smile that was plastered on his face. I could tell he was trying to hide his true emotions, but I could see right through it. I knew he was furious, I tried to remain calm, but my heart was pounding in my chest. I wasn’t sure what he was going to do next.
“He’s fine. He just needs rest. That’s all he needs for now. He’s not been resting enough?”. She asked Carter, and I watched him gulp.
“He-he has a lot of work at the office”. He said.
She hummed and turned to me. “Can I please speak with Aria alone?”. She asked, raising one eyebrow over the other.
“Yes”. I took a breath and responded as best I could, trying to ignore the presence of Carter. I hoped he would take the hint and leave, but he remained where he was. I could feel the anger radiating off of him, and it was making me feel even more anxious, but he left reluctantly.
“He’s changing, you know”. I turned to her with a puzzled expression on my face when she said those words. “Matteo’s changing”. she repeated again.
“Why do you say that?”.
She let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She tried to laugh, but it sounded forced and artificial. I could tell she was putting on a brave face, but I knew she was hurting inside. She was trying to be strong, but I could see the pain in her eyes.
“Matteo and I were together for a while”. She smiled at me again. “I even understood him even for once. I knew he didn’t love me. He couldn’t even stand my voice. He hated my face. He hated me so much I thought I was flawed”. Her voice broke. “I’m surprised to see he has grown close to you. It’s wonderful”.
I drew in breath, and for some reason, my eyes started to water.
“What did he do to you?”. I whispered.
“Sometimes I wish I never met him,
but it happened, and now he’s married”. She held my hand in hers. “He’s never been like this with anyone, Aria. You’re the only one”. Her tears matched mine, and I could hear her voice shake. “You’re special”. She whispered.
“Did you love him?”. I asked, too scared of the outcome.
“With all my heart”. She replied immediately.
“But hey, that doesn’t matter anymore, but I want you to promise me you’ll give him time,”
I looked at her like she said something out of the ordinary. “I don’t know. He’s hurt me way too much”. I replied in a firm voice.
“Look-“. She started
“Aria!”. I heard a familiar voice, hoarse and raspy, calling my name. I turned to the left and saw Matteo standing there, his hair disheveled and his eyes red and puffy. He took a slow, shaky step towards me, his voice barely audible as he called out my name again. My heart sank as I saw him in such a state, and involuntarily, I found myself walking to him with open arms, but he didn’t hold me close like he usually did. He kept his distance.
“You’re unwell. You need to rest”. I whispered.
“I’ve got work to do”. He said, his voice firmer than I last remember.
“Matteo…”. I called out to him once more, but he walked right past me without so much as a glance in my direction. He seemed to be in his own little world, oblivious to everything and everyone around him. Evelyn, on the other hand, was looking radiant and beaming with happiness, and he walked right past her.