**Stefano’s POV**
I left her for four hours, but it felt like I’d left her for longer than that.
The car had barely come to a halt in the driveway before I was out. I slammed the door, the sound echoing through the quiet night, and strode into the house as if fire was at my heels. My hands were restless, twitching at my sides. Luca had said something to me on the drive back, some update about the business, but I hadn't heard a word. All I knew was that every minute away from Elena felt wrong. Like I was holding my breath without realizing it.
I told myself it was about safety, that I needed to make sure she was okay.
But it was all a lie.
The truth was far more terrifying: I couldn't breathe properly when I wasn't near her.
Almost losing her had cracked something open in me that I d
