(Elena POV)
I shouldn't have let that happen.
The kiss.
If you could even call it that.
It was soft. Quick. Barely there.
But it changed something.
And I felt it.
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I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers brushing over my lips without thinking.
Why didn't I pull away?
That was the question I couldn't answer.
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A knock came again.
This time, I didn't freeze.
"Come in," I said.
Matteo walked in.
Alone. His eyes went straight to me. Then to my face.
Then—
To my lips. A slow smirk spread across his face.
"Well," he said. "Something definitely happened." My stomach tightened.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie," he replied, stepping closer. "You're not good at it."
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I stood up immediately, Creating distance.
"I didn't ask you to come here."
"No," he said. "But you didn't tell me to leave either."
He kept walking closer, Too close.
"Relax," he added softly. "I'm not him." That made my chest tighten. "I didn't say you were."
"You didn't have to."
Silence.
Then His hand reached out. Not my wrist this time My chin. He tilted my face slightly. Studying me.
"You're starting to change," he said quietly.
"I'm not."
"You are," he insisted. "You're not fighting as much."
I pulled back slightly. "That doesn't mean anything."
"It does."
Before I could respond—
"Don't."
Alessandro's voice.
Cold. Sharp. Right behind him.
Matteo didn't move. "Or what?" he asked calmly. The tension came back instantly.
Stronger this time. Alessandro stepped forward. And this time…
There was no control in his eyes.
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"Don't touch her," he said. Matteo smirked.
"But you can?" That was it. Alessandro grabbed him.
Hard.
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Everything happened fast.
"Stop!" I said quickly. Luca rushed in immediately.
"Enough!"
But the damage was already done. And for the first time… I realized something terrifying.
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This wasn't just about me anymore.
They were starting to lose control.
(Alessandro POV)
I shouldn't have let him get that close.
The moment I saw his hand on her—I lost it
It wasn't planned. It wasn't controlled. It was instinct.
"Stay away from her," I said again.
Matteo wiped his lip slightly, still smirking.
"You're overreacting."
"No," I replied. "You're forgetting your place."
Silence. Dangerous.
"She's not yours," he said. I stepped closer.
Very close.
"She is when it comes to protection."That word aga
Luca stepped between us.
"Both of you need to calm down."
But I wasn't looking at him.
I was looking at her She looked shaken Confused , But not pulling away Not running.
Good I walked toward her slowly.
"Come here," I said.
This time…
She didn't argue She walked to me And that did something to me I didn't like My hand went to her waist again Pulling her closer
"She stays with me," I said.
Matteo laughed quietly.
"You're obsessed." I didn't deny it. Because at this point… It was starting to feel like"She's not safe around you," I added
"And she is with you?" he asked I looked down at her.
Then back at him.
"Yes."
Silence. Final.
She looked up at me again.
"And what if I don't want that?" she asked softly.
That made me pause.
Just for a second.
Then—
"You do," I said. Her breath caught Because deep down… She was starting to realize it too. And that was the most dangerous part of all.
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Is Elena choosing Alessandro… or is she losing control of herself? 👀