Reclaiming My Path

At four in the morning, a violent pounding on the door snapped me out of my shallow sleep. The pounding was heavy and frantic, shaking the door so hard that it vibrated on its hinges.

I jolted upright, instinctively keeping my steps quiet so I wouldn’t wake Enzo. However, the second I cracked the door open, Giovanna shoved it wide with full force. The impact knocked me backward. I stumbled two steps and hit the wardrobe hard.

She marched straight into the guest room, hands on her hips, her eyes wide and wild.

“Where’s my coat? Where did you hide it?” she yelled, her voice shrill as she started ripping through my closet, and hangers clattered loudly as she yanked them off the rod.

My shirts and dresses flew across the floor, my neatly folded clothes scattering like torn paper.

“I haven’t seen your coat,” I said, standing at the doorway as a cold dread spread through me.

She wasn’t looking for anything. She was picking a fight—one she wanted Enzo to walk in on.

Suddenly, Giovanna spun around and lunged at me, grabbing my arm. Her nails dug into my skin so hard I gasped. Before I could pull away, she threw herself backward, and her forehead slammed into the doorframe with a sickening thud. Blood welled instantly, sliding down her temple.

“Enzo! Lily pushed me! She threw my things everywhere!” she screamed, her voice sharp enough to slice through the quiet dawn.

Enzo’s footsteps thundered from the master bedroom. In seconds, he was there. He yanked me away with such force that I crashed into the wall. A dull ache shot up my spine, but I bit down hard, refusing to cry out.

He didn’t even look at me. Instead, he crouched beside Giovanna, holding her gently.

“Are you okay? Does it hurt? I’ll take you to the hospital.” His voice was full of worry, and his fingers brushed her cheek, wiping the blood with a softness that I had never seen before.

Giovanna leaned into his arms, sobbing as she shook her head. “I’m fine. I fell on my own. Don’t blame Lily for it.”

Then, she glanced at me. Her eyes glinted with triumph, like a cat proudly showing off the mouse it had cornered.

Enzo finally turned my way. His gaze was as cold as winter frost.

“Lily, I’m very disappointed in you.” The disappointment in his tone stabbed my heart.

“I didn’t push her,” I said quietly, voice trembling. “She hit the door herself, and she threw my clothes–”

“That’s enough.” He cut me off sharply, irritation showing in his frown. “I’m taking Giovanna to the hospital. Clean this place up.”

He stood, lifting Giovanna into his arms. “We have a video conference with the Camorra at three o’clock this afternoon. Don’t mess things up.”

He started toward the door, then paused to give one final command. “Don’t go anywhere. Stay inside. It’s not safe out there.”

“Okay.” I nodded and watched them disappear down the hallway.

As I leaned against the wall, my tears slipped out at last, falling onto my shirt and soaking through the fabric. However, I didn’t have time to cry for long. If he came back early and found anything off, everything would be over.

Dropping to my knees, I started gathering my clothes one by one, folding them quickly. Then, I pulled out the suitcase hidden behind the entryway cabinet, unzipping it slowly so it wouldn’t make a sound and attract unwanted attention.

I checked my essentials. My clothes, passport, and cash were all there. On the living room table, I scattered the documents he would need for the afternoon meeting, just enough to make it seem like I’d only stepped out for a bit and would return soon.

I left the house key on the entryway cabinet, pinning it under a note that said, “Hope the partnership goes well.”

After that, I eased the door shut behind me, as quietly as if I were trying not to wake a sleeping giant.

Outside the building, the early-morning air was cold against my cheeks.

I waved down a cab, pulled the door open, and slid inside. “The central train station, please. And can you go fast? I’m in a hurry.”

The driver nodded and stepped on the gas. I took one look back at the building and didn’t look again.