Chapter 65- Departure:
Lucia “Your brothers are going to kill me for this, Eli
mutered as she navigated through early morning traffic. Dawn painted the city skyline in
shades of gold and rose, a farewell gift wasnt ready to appreciate. “Actually, scratch that your father might beat thein to it.”
“They’ll understand.” I kept my voice steady despite the ache in my chest. The text messages from my family had started at midnight and hadiv’t stopped siner – everything from Antonio’s angry demands to Marcos logical arguments to Leo’s emotional pleas, I need to do this my way. Your way being alone?” She shot me a pointed look ara red light. “Because that’s working out so well for another stubborn Italiam I could mention.”
“Don’t.” I turned to watch buildings blur past, each one carrying memories I was trying desperately not to think about, “Please.”
The international terminal rose before us all glass and steel reaching toward the morning sky. My pulse quickened as Elina pulled into departures, Hemming fares I refused to acknowledge I was looking for.
“He knows, doesn’t her Elma asked quietly as she helped unload my bags. “About the flight”
A bitter laugh escaped me. “Tame probably knew my itinerary before I did.” I shouldered my carry–on, fighting the urge to check my phone again. “Nothing happens in this city without his knowledge”
“Then maybe
“Don’t Let her off more sharply than intended. “Don’t give me hope, Elina. Not now.”
She studied me for a long moment before pulling me in a fierce lug that smelled of designer perfume and childhood memories. “Call me when you land?
I nodded against her shoulder, not trusting my voice.
“And Lucia!” She pulled back to meet my eyes. “If he does show up just listen. Okay!”
Heat burned behind my eyes as humed toward the terminal doors. “Goodbye, Eluia.”
Check–in passed in a blur of practiced motions. Passport, ticket, luggage tags – each step taking me further from everything I’d ever known. The security line stretched ahead like a final gaundles, each person ahead of me another minute for something to change,
For someone to Hop me
My phone buzzed Papa
Tesoro, please. Let us drive you at least
Telased the message without responding, quilt twisting in my stomach. They deserved better dan this cowardly departure. But I couldn’t Eace their concern right now. Couldn’t handle more well meaning observations about actions speaking louder than words,
The security checkpoint loomed closer. Ten people ahead of me. Nine. Eight.
Another buzz Antonia dhis time.
“This is ridiculous. I’m coming to get you.”
Seven people. Six Five.
My hands shook slightly as i pulled out my documents. The cleaning crew moved methodically through the terminal, their actions precise and enrolled. Like him. Everything about him was so perfectly controlled.
Except that night in his office. When crystal had shattered against walls and carefully maintained order had finally cracked
Too late. Always too late.
Four people. Three. Two.
The flight board above security showed my gate number in crisp digital letters. Norwegian Airlines flight 447 to Oslo. On time. Of course it was on time. The universe wouldn’t grant me even a mechanical delay to extend this torturous hope
Thssport please.”
The TSA agent’s voice snapped me back to reality. I handed over my documents with trembling fingers, acutely aware of the minutes ticking past One final scan of the terminal. One last desperate search for a familiar silhouette in an italian sub. One more moment of foolish hope that control might finally lose to emotion.
Nothing
The gate area felt like liminal space that strange territory between here and there, now and then, staying and going Other passengers noved around me in their own bubbles of transition, each carrying stories I was too much to wonder aliou,
Two hours until boarding. Then one
My phone buzzed steadily. Maren with logical arguments about foundation transition timing. Leo with emotional appeals about family unity. Photos from Maria of last Christmas, when the Romano sisters had insisted on teaching the their grandmother’s hisentti recipe.
The window beside my seat offered a perfect view of arriving passengers. Each automatic door sliding open sent my heart racing. Each slark–haired man ma sut made my breath catchi
Chapter 65 Departure
None of them were him.
“Final boarding call for Norwegian Airlines flight 447 to Oslo. All passengers should proceed to gate A7 immediately.”
The words hit like physical blows. Final boarding, Last chance. End of the line.
I stood mechanically, gathering my carry–on with movements that felt disconnected from reality. The line of passengers ahead moved steadily forward, each one crossing a threshold 1 wasn’t sure I was ready to cross.
*Boarding pass?”
The gate agent’s polite inquiry barely registered as I handed over my ticket. One last scan of the terminal. One final moment of desperate hope.
Nothing but early morning invelers and cleaning crews and the steady rhythm of an airpon at dawn
The jet bridge stretched ahead like a tunnel between worlds. Each step echoed with finality, with choices that couldn’t be unmade. With words left unsaid and emotions left unexpressed and love left…
Stop
First class cabin 2A. Window seat with extra legroom – my last piece of familiar luxury before starting over. The flight attendant offered champagne I couldn’t stomach as other passengers filed past
“Doors closing in two minutes, crackled over the intercom
Two minutes. Our hundred and twenty seconds for something to change. For someone to prove that love could be stronger than control. That feelings could matter more than carefully maimained order.
One minute.
My hands clenched on the armrests as the cabin crew began their final checks Outside my window, ground crews moved with practiced efficiency, each action carefully coordinated
Thirty seconds.
The cabin dour awung shut with a decisive think
Something broke inside my chest as reality finally hit. He wasn’t coming. No last–mimme air rescue like in the movies. No dramatic declaration of love conquering careful control.
just empty hope anal a first–class seat carrying the may from everything I’d ever loved.
The safety briefing started as we pushed back from the gate. Estared out the window as familiar territory fell away beneath us, each foot of altitude another step toward escape or exile I wasn’t sure which anymore..
The city spread out below like a map of memories. The Romano lower rising against the skyline. The Valentini estate nestled in its carefully maintained grounds. The youth center where dreams had taken root. The hotel where one dance had started this beautiful disaster.
All of it growing smaller, less distinct, until even the tallest buildings disappeared into the morning haze
Somewhere down there, a man in an Italian suit was probably in his office, maintaining perfect control while reshaping the city around dreams he wouldn’t admit inspired him. Perhaps he was watching our flight path on some careful monitoring system. Perhaps he was already in meetings perfectly composed as he managed the day’s crises
Perhaps he felt nothing at all.
The thought burned like acid as we broke through the clouds into endless blue. I closed my eyes, letting tears finally fall as the plane carried me
Toward whatever waited in Oslo.
Freedom or cowardice. Escape or surrender. New beginning or bitter end.
Only time would tell.
for now, there was nothing left but altitude and distance and the echo of everything I was leaving behind. Everything I’d hoped might change. Everything I’d loved too much to watch remain perfectly controlled forever.
“Would you like a beverage, misst”
I opened my eyes to find the flight attendant wanting patiently. “Just water, please”
She nodded sympathetically, probably used to tearful passengers Decing or chasing something. “Long journey ahead.”
“Yes,” I whispered, watching clouds pass beneath us like the wishes I’d been fool enough to make. “Very long”
Away from home.
