He Punishes Me in the Name of Love

I didn't even look back at Carmelo's stunned expression after saying that. I let the blood drip on the floor as I walked away unsteadily.

I had just reached home when I heard something break in the kitchen.

Simone used his hands to try to push himself up from his fallen wheelchair. He looked ashamed, his eyes brimming with unshed tears, as he noticed me standing at the doorway. "I only wanted to fix you something to eat, Caterina. I can't believe how useless I am…"

I was deceived by his hypocritical, masterful performance for five years, turning myself into a total fool. I desperately wanted to discover if there was any warmth in him at that very moment or if he was actually completely heartless.

Simone lowered his head after noticing my silence. "I know I'm just a dead weight to you, Caterina. I think you should just go and forget about me—just let me die all alone here."

He then raised his hand to strike his own face, lamenting loudly, "Why am I still alive, Caterina?"

I said nothing as I walked over, set the wheelchair upright, and helped him into it. I then fetched a towel and wiped his face and hands clean. I had done this routine for five years, so by now, it was second nature to me. I cooked dinner, left one of his imported medications on the table, and left without saying anything.

Simone knew I was heading to a night shift. He reflected on my sickly complexion, my prolonged silence, and my emaciated frame, feeling a sudden pang of alarm. He realized then that he couldn't recall a single detail of the bright, spirited person I had once been.

He felt a sharp pang shooting through his chest, a strange mixture of guilt and anxiety washing over him. He grabbed his phone and made a quick call. "I think it's time for us to wrap this up ahead of schedule, Luigi—Caterina has been punished enough."

I took Simone to the hospital for his check-up the following day.

His attending doctor looked thrilled as he announced, "Ms. Novello, we just found out that a private research center has developed a breakthrough medication for ALS. They're only accepting two trial patients, and Don Sartori has already arranged for Simone to get one of the slots. Don Sartori clearly adores you, Ms. Novello."

I merely nodded calmly in contrast to his dramatic display. "What's the probability of Simone's recovery?"

"There's an 80% chance."

Simone played his part, crying tears of joy. "I'm finally going to get better! Doesn't that make you happy, Caterina?"

I managed a strained smile and replied, "If only one of us can survive, no matter the circumstances, I want it to be you, Simone."

Simone was stunned. He seemed so taken aback by my sincerity that he forgot to maintain his fake stutter.

He furrowed his brow and snapped, "How could you spout such nonsense, Caterina? You and I are both going to be fine! I'm going to make sure you live like a princess again, without a single worry in the world, once I'm back on my feet, Caterina!"

I no longer wanted that kind of life anymore, though. I was going to give everything up—Simone and Luigi included—to Maria.

I was sent out of the doctor's office after that on the grounds that the check-up would take quite some time.

I headed to another office instead, where the doctor said with a sigh, "I'm sorry, but your brain tumor has grown too large to operate on. If you had come two weeks earlier, there would have been hope. You've got a day or two at most, so you should say your goodbyes to your loved ones, Ms. Novello."

I remained silent for a long while before nodding slightly. I then handed the doctor a paper with Luigi's home address written on it. "Please have me cremated right away and send the ashes to this address after I'm dead."

I left behind the little money I had and left the hospital. I had just stepped out when I suddenly received a message. "I actually recognized you that day at Twilight Lounge, Caterina. I just want you to know that Simone belongs to me, and so does Luigi.

"You're just some pathetic stray no one wants. Your life is a joke, so you might as well just drop dead now. Oh, by the way—I've sent you a gift, Caterina."

I wandered aimlessly like some restless spirit the entire day, and it wasn't until I stumbled home in a daze that I found out what Maria's gift was.