Chapter 49

After a night of several interrupted hours of sleep or practically total wakefulness, Dominic Lombardo had come to an important conclusion that morning: he needed to put some distance between himself and Alessandra. The pain he felt when she reproached him for everything, he never wanted to feel it again; the pain he experienced when he saw her cry, he never wanted to relive it again; just remembering her face of disappointment, of disillusionment, made his chest tighten. He was going through everything he once swore not to feel, and only distance could dissipate his suffering. It would be difficult, yes, because he loved having her close. By now, being in the same room with her alone was not healthy, it was harmful. He was so weak and foolish in her presence. He didn't think, he didn't reason, he didn't even consider what he was doing. She had him spellbound, enchanted, absolutely captivated, and all of that worried him. He felt she had huge power over him, but above all, he was terrified of losing control of himself, of his decisions, of his actions, all because of a woman, because of that woman, because she was the only one who could make him feel like that.