[LENA]
"Lena, there's something I have to tell you."
Luca and I were sitting at the table. It was the first time I'd been able to leave the bed on my own since I'd gotten sick.
I slept the entire day yesterday. Luca only woke me up for meals and to take my medicine. It worked wonders. I could tell that my body was healing quickly because of it.
Today, I woke up having recovered most of my energy and my appetite. Being sick like that was a horrible experience, and I was glad it was over.
"What is it?" I asked. Something was off with Luca's expression. I reached out and held his clenched hand on the table, which automatically relaxed at my touch.
"I did something. And you may hate me for it," he said tightly, looking distressed. Whatever it was, there was nothing he could do that would make me hate him. I started to tell him that, but he cut me off. "When you were sick, I had to leave to get the medicine you needed."
