2

Stefano stayed quiet during the process of removing the bullet although I could see the stress lines on his forehead. He still hasn't changed over the years, he hated showing any hint of vulnerability.

"Okay, so we're done here," I said to another man who had been pacing around the room when I finished bandaging Stefano's arm.

"Thank the heavens." He breathed out and moved closer. "I'm glad you're fine, I swear I could have blown off his head if you hadn't asked me to stop."

They were dangerous men, I thought.

I stood up from my kneeling position. The man quickly dipped his hand in his pocket and handed me a wad of cash. "Here."

"Thank you," My eyes lit up before making my way to leave but I turned back. "Make sure you give him some antibiotics."

I was leaving Stefano again, and my stomach was twisting into a painful knot. I was weak and needed to rest.

"Matteo," I heard Stefano's firm voice, "Tell the nurse to stay. Leave now, you have to fill in the gap."

On hearing that, I paused. My heart started to race, I would be left here with Stefano. I wouldn't be able to avoid confrontation anymore.

"You heard him, please stay." Matteo pleaded desperately. He dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out another wad of cash. "Just take it and stay with him, and keep your mouth shut about everything you've seen and heard."

I gave a little professional smile. "Sure, it's against my ethical conduct to divulge certain information."

"Good," Matteo muttered, his eyes darting between the door and Stefano on the floor, as though he was finding it difficult to leave him.

Stefano stretched to pat his arm. "It's okay, just go and stop acting like a pussy!"

His statement elicited a chuckle from Matteo and he stood up. They have a really good relationship, I observed.

As Matteo left, it remained just Stefano and I in the room. The room felt too small to contain the both of us, as the air was stiff, holding a palpable tension. He completely ignored my existence as though we didn't promise to get married when we were much younger. My chest ached, nothing prepared me for this reconnection. I had just this last chance to right my wrongs.

"Stefano," I called out to him in a clipped tone. "Do you want to move to the bed?"

"No." He responded without looking at me.

"Okay, do you feel a bit better?" I continued. At this point, I knew I should let him be but I couldn't stop myself from making sure he was fine.

"Maybe."

"I'm sorry, Stefano." I blurted before I could stop myself.

"For what?" Stefano regarded me briefly, fake disbelief in his eyes. "Nurse, I'm afraid I don't know what the apology is for."

"Cuore mio," I called him what we used to call each other back then, hoping the glint in his eyes would come alive. "You don't remember?" My eyes misted with tears, hoping his response wouldn't shatter my heart like I had shattered his.

I saw it in his eyes, he remembered us, he knew we were once soaked with love for each other but he looked away. "I need to sleep, nurse. As you can see." He pointed towards his bandaged arm.

"Yeah, sorry." I faked a smile before crashing into a sofa and letting my tears flow in secret. After what felt like hours of silently sobbing, I checked in on him. He was sleeping quietly on the floor. I pulled out the duvet on the bed and covered him with it.

-

The next morning, Matteo still hadn't shown up and it was almost time to resume my shift. But staring at Stefano, there was no way I could leave him in this condition. The bandages needed to be redressed and he needed to be monitored.

I had decided to stay but I couldn't help but worry about my job. The thought of calling in sick again made beads of sweat form on my forehead. My hands were shaky as I dialled the HR office line. My breaks were beginning to be frequent and Doctor Lucy advised me not to take any more breaks but I had to do this for Stefano.

I couldn't leave him again.

Stefano's groan caused me to look in his direction. He was struggling to sit up. I quickly rushed to help him, but with a gesture, he told me he wouldn't need my help.

I sighed as I carried the bandages from the first aid box. They had come prepared, almost like his getting shot wasn't a new occurrence. Things have changed in his life, even from his physical appearance. He now had a few tattoos spread around his body, an ear piercing and a more muscular build, outgrowing his youthful features. To some extent, it felt like I didn't even know him again.

"I have to redress your wounds now," I informed him.

A mild groan escaped his lips as I started cleaning his wound and his eyes fluttered open, staring directly at me. It caused my heart to skip a beat at our proximity. We stared at each other for a brief moment that felt like an eternity before we tore our gaze.

I broke the ice. "How are you doing? Feeling better?" I stuttered.

"Yeah." He spoke in a dismissive tone.

"Hungry? I could order your favourite." I said the last part before I could take the words back.

Stefano chuckled a little, catching me off guard. "My favourite changed over the years, I'd rather have your silence."

"You've lost a lot of blood and the last thing you wanna be doing now is starving." I countered him, his refusal to accept care was beginning to annoy me.

"Quit the faux care, Bella. It irks me." He warned. "You and I know that if it weren't for the money you wouldn't been doing all of this."

"No, Stefano, I care about you!"

His words cut through my chest like a knife. Is that what he thought of me? Was he seriously not going to hear me out at least?

Stefano chuckled. "Really? My apologies, Nurse. I didn't mean to be a handful."

"Don't call me that," I warned, annoyed at the formality. If he was mad at me for leaving, he might as well just bring the topic up instead of cutting corners.

"Hm? But that's what you are, to me."

"I am Bella, Cuore mio to you!"

Stefano's gaze softened for a minute, the endearment struck a nerve, maybe it reminded him of our first kiss. I was wrong, now he stared at me like I had grown two horns before shaking his head as if spotting an error. "Bella, yes. Cuore mio, no."

"Fine! I'm going to get some antibiotics." I said, carrying my bag.

"Leaving again? I shouldn't be surprised, that's the only thing you're good at doing."

Stefano's vile words caused me to spin around and yell at him. "You really think I would have left you just like that?" I cackled without mirth. "I left because my father owed money to some bad people and they were going to kill us! I tried to look for you but I couldn't."

Stefano remained quiet as if letting the words sink, his jaw ticked, then he looked away. "My arm hurts, Bella."

I wiped my tears. "You should get some rest then, I'll keep an eye on you," I said as he faced the other side of the bed.

When I left the room, I took some time to steady my breath. I retrieved my phone to check the time and a message popped up. My heart sank when I read its content, the worst had happened.