Chapter 54

Alessio

The weight of Nero’s words hit me like an avalanche, but I don’t say anything. I just keep my head down and wait for him to continue.

“I will let you rest for the day and recover completely, because the stunt you pulled last night left you weak and drained,” he explains, but his tone is as cold as ever. “I do not wish you to go on your own path with that disadvantage.”

“Thank you,” I say, even though every part of me is breaking into pieces inside.

With that, he also takes out a linen sack from behind his desk and hands it over to me. “This contains all the resources you need to survive in the wild for now. You have some basics like medicine for unexpected cuts and infections. You also have some food in there in case game runs dry.”

“I appreciate that.” I finally lift my head and look at him. “I want to see Chiara. At least give me a chance to say goodbye.”

Nero hesitates. He just drops the sack right by my feet and stares at me. “Alessio . . . what makes you think she wants t