73| Flat Tyre.

ROSALINDA.

In all honesty, I didn’t want to return home. I wanted to remain with him. In his arms. Until the sun rises.

But unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. We got some pills from the pharmacy, and he drove me home afterwards. We had one last scorching kiss in his car before I hopped out. Upon entering the building, I learned from one of our maids that Sofia, Mama, and Matteo were in Papà’s room, so I went there to join them.

Papà was on his bed, lying down with Mama, Sofia, and Matteo seated all around him. As I stared at him, reality hit me in the chest. A few minutes of pleasure couldn’t erase the pain that lingered in my heart. Papà was sick, and the only thing I could hope for was for him to respond to treatment.

“What took you so long?” Papà asked as I approached him.

“Antonio had a flat tyre, so he had to fix it.” I lied.

He nodded. “Okay.”

My eyes subconsciously darted to Sofia, and the look she had in her eyes said that she didn’t believe my excuse.

“I was just telling th