NINETY-SEVEN.

I lay awake on my side, watching Alessandro sleep as the sun begins to rise. Beautiful hues of yellow, red and orange cast off the windows, shining through the room gloriously.

The gentle rumbling sound of him snoring reverberates off the walls; his features are soft, long lashes fan his cheeks, and he looks peaceful, calm and so relaxed for once.

After his confession about Maria grooming him by his fathers' orders, my heart bleeds for him, deeply, and I fear it may bleed itself dry.

How can two damaged souls with different outlooks on life try to repair one another?

They can't.

Especially when all the odds are stacked against you.

I need to sort my life out and I can't do that here with all the distractions.

And it's why I've made the tough decision to move to Wellington City and stay with my Aunt Mae on my father's side of the family.

Aunt Mae with a glass eye.

Looking past Alessandro, straining my neck, I glance at the digital alarm clock sitting on top of his bedside