MATTEO’s POV
As the days turned into weeks, Aria’s walls began to crumble, and she started to warm up to me. Our love-making became a daily ritual, a passionate expression of our desire for each other. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other, and it made everything even more exciting.
But amidst the bliss of my relationship with Aria, Gabriela’s behavior became increasingly concerning. She shut us out completely, her eyes flashing with a murderous intensity whenever our paths crossed. I tried to reach out to her to offer comforting words or a supportive gesture, but she ignored me at every turn.
I wanted to be a father figure to her, to offer the guidance and protection she so desperately needed. But she wouldn’t let me in, her defenses fortified against any attempt at connection. I tried to be patient to understand that she had been through unimaginable trauma, but it was hard not to take her rejection personally.
Despite her cold demeanor, I sensed a deep pain and vulnerability beneath her tough exterior. I knew that she was struggling to come to terms with her past, to find a way to heal and move forward. And so, I continued to reach out to her, even in the face of her rejection, hoping that one day she would see me as a source of comfort and support rather than a threat.
But as the days turned into weeks, Gabriela’s behavior became worse. She would lash out at Aria and me, her words dripping with anger. And then, just as suddenly, she would retreat into silence, her eyes flashing with a hurt and vulnerability that tore at my heart.
I knew that I had to be patient, that Gabriela’s healing would take time, but it was hard not to feel frustrated and helpless in the face of her rejection. I wanted to be there for her, to support her through this difficult time, but she wouldn’t let me in. And so, I waited, hoping that one day she would see me as a source of comfort and support rather than a threat.
Aria tried tirelessly to reach out to Gabriela to coax her out of her shell and into our little family. She would spend hours talking to her, sharing stories and laughter, trying to find common ground. But Gabriela remained stubbornly closed off, her walls impenetrable.
I watched as Aria’s efforts were repeatedly ignored. Her kindness and empathy met with cold indifference. It was like trying to hug a statue, warm and loving on the outside, but cold and unyielding within. I could see the frustration in Aria’s eyes, the sadness and disappointment. But she refused to give up, convinced that Gabriela was worth fighting for.
But as the days turned into weeks, even Aria’s boundless patience began to wear thin. We tried everything, from gentle coaxing to outright confrontation, but nothing seemed to work. Gabriela remained a mystery, locked away behind her mask of ice.
And so, with heavy hearts, we made the difficult decision to let her be. We couldn’t force her to open up, couldn’t make her trust us. All we could do was be there, waiting patiently for the day when she might finally be ready to let us in.
It was a hard choice, but a necessary one. We couldn’t keep beating our heads against the wall, hoping for a different outcome. We had to respect Gabriela’s boundaries, even if it meant giving her the space she so clearly needed.
As I looked at Aria, her eyes red-rimmed from exhaustion and frustration, I knew that we had made the right decision. We would always be here for Gabriela whenever she was ready to let us in. But for now, we had to let her go and focus on us, our own happiness.
I tried to kiss my wife, but she moved out of the way to save her food that seemed to be burning. Aria had slowly gotten over her fear for fire and would prepare my favorite meals every day. I smiled at her as she turned off the heat but still managed to burn herself in the process. As I wrapped my fingers around Aria’s hand, I could feel her pain melt away. She was so delicate, so fragile, and yet so strong. I blew gently on her hand, my breath a soft caress on her skin. Her eyes locked onto mine, filled with a deep affection that made my heart skip a beat.
“I love you, Matteo,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. But those three words resonated deep within me, striking a chord that echoed through every fiber of my being.
Nnn My heart swelled with emotion, my chest tightening with a mix of joy and gratitude. No one had ever said those words to me with such sincerity, such conviction. Aria’s love was pure and unconditional.
As I looked at her, I knew that I would do anything to keep her safe, to make her happy. And in that moment, I knew that I would never let her go. I would hold onto her forever, cherish her, protect her, and love her with every fiber of my being. She was mine, and I was hers.
Later that day, as I pushed open the door to our bedroom, a sense of excitement and anticipation washed over me. I had been looking forward to joining Aria in bed all night, and finally, I could put the stresses of work behind me and spend some quality time with my beautiful wife.
But as I entered the room, my enthusiasm was abruptly replaced with a sense of horror. Gabriela stood over Aria’s sleeping form with a knife in her hand. My heart raced as I froze in the doorway, my mind struggling to comprehend the scene before me.
Gabriela’s eyes were fixed intently on Aria, her gaze filled with so much hate that sent shivers down my spine.
Without hesitation, I charged towards Gabriela, my eyes locked onto the knife in her hand. I knew I had to act fast to disarm her before she could harm Aria. My heart pounded in my chest as I reached out, and my hand closed around Gabriela’s wrist.
“Gabriela, stop!” I commanded, my voice low and urgent. “Don’t do this!”
But Gabriela’s gaze never wavered, her eyes remaining fixed on Aria. I could feel the hate coursing through her veins.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I roared as Aria jolted awake, taking in the scene before her.
Quickly snatching the knife away from her, pushing her far off away from Aria.
Aria, who just sat there shakened, looking pale.
Gabriela sat on the floor screaming, and that was I knew we couldn’t fix her.