Alessia lay back on her hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. Her arm throbbed with a dull pain, a constant reminder of how close she had come to death. The events of the past few days felt surreal, like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. The betrayal, the shootout, Marco's unexpected protection – it all swirled in her mind, refusing to settle.
She recalled the shock on Tony's face when Marco revealed his treachery, the desperation in his eyes when he fired the gun. The chaos that followed was a blur, but she remembered the searing pain in her arm and the feeling of helplessness as she crumpled to the ground. It was Marco who had been there, lifting her up, carrying her to safety. She could still hear his voice, urgent and commanding, telling her to stay with him.
Her parents had been a constant presence since she woke up, their worry and relief palpable. But it was Marco who occupied her thoughts. Despite their rivalry, he had saved her life. The intensity of his actions and the gentleness he had shown her left her confused and strangely comforted.
The door to her room creaked open, and her parents entered, followed by Marco. Her mother sat by her side, holding her hand, while her father stood next to her, his expression stern but relieved.
"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" her mother asked softly.
"I'm okay, Mom," Alessia replied, offering a weak smile. "Just a little sore."
Her father turned to Marco. "We need to understand what happened, Marco. How did Tony betray us?"
Marco took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "Tony was selling our information to the Salvatores. I discovered the leak and confronted him. When Alessia tried to defend him, he panicked and shot her. I... I had no choice but to deal with him."
Alessia saw the pain in Marco's eyes, the weight of the decisions he had to make. Despite everything, he had protected her. She felt a strange connection to him, a bond forged in the heat of danger.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. The doctor entered, checking her vitals and the wound on her arm.
"You've been very lucky," the doctor said, adjusting the bandages. "The bullet missed any major arteries. With some rest and physical therapy, you should recover fully."
"Thank you, doctor," Alessia said, feeling a surge of relief.
As the doctor left, her parents exchanged a look, then turned back to her. "We need to talk about your future," her father began, his tone serious.
Alessia braced herself, knowing what was coming. The alliance, the arranged marriage – it was all part of their world. But after everything that had happened, she couldn't help but see Marco in a different light.
"Marco and I... we need to figure things out," she said, her voice firm. "But right now, I need to focus on healing."
Marco nodded, his expression unreadable. "We'll handle it, Alessia. Just get better."
As her parents left the room, Marco lingered by the door. "You know, you surprised me back there," he said quietly.
Alessia raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"You defended Tony. Even when the evidence was against him, you stood by him. That kind of loyalty... it's rare."
Alessia sighed. "I thought I knew him. I trusted him. But I was wrong."
Marco stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Trust is hard to come by in our world. But maybe... maybe we can start over. Figure this out together."
Alessia looked up at him, seeing a flicker of hope in his eyes. Despite their past, despite the betrayal and the danger, there was a chance for something new. It wouldn't be easy, but it was a start.
"I'd like that," she said softly.
As Marco turned to leave, Alessia felt a sense of determination settle over her. This was just the beginning. There were wounds to heal, alliances to mend, and a future to build. But she wasn't alone. Marco was by her side, and together, they could face whatever came next.