Alessia POV
Alessia sat in the corner of Matteo’s living room, watching Sophia play with her toys on the floor. The little girl’s laughter was infectious, filling the spacious room with warmth Alessia couldn’t quite bring herself to feel. She wanted to join her daughter, to sit down and laugh alongside her—but something held her back.
It had been three weeks since she’d moved back into Matteo’s home, and it wasn’t going how she’d imagined. She’d expected tension, yes. But not this suffocating silence between her and Matteo, not this awkward distance with her daughter.
She’d dreamed of this moment for years, picturing herself walking back into their lives and finding forgiveness waiting for her. She’d thought Matteo might be angry at first but would eventually remember how much they’d lo
