Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I sprint towards the Policlinico for my last shift.

I can imagine Dr. Mancini will not be pleased at all I'm leaving this job, effective immediately, without the customary two-weeks notice.

I can always tell him he can fire me and not pay me my last salary – that should please the old stingy bat.

Getting as far away as possible from Enzo is my priority now, and that means not having to see him at work at all.

Never again.

The weight of the suitcase is digging into my shoulder. Every step is a desperate attempt to put as much distance between me and Enzo Volpe as I can. My heart pounds in my ears, drowning out the evening noise of the city around me.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, Enzo's name flashing across the screen. I promptly ignore it.

Pssh. Like hell I'm gonna react to his call. I need to escape, to disappear before he can do anything about it. He just left his work shift, too, so it might look suspicious if he followed me to hospital now.

Reaching the Policlinico building, I burst through the automatic doors, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The sterile hospital environment offers a stark contrast to the chaos raging within me. I head straight to Enzo's now empty office, unlock it with the key he gave me long ago for our casual sexy at-work encounters, and collapse into his chair, my body trembling with exhaustion.

My phone rings again, Enzo's name waving at me with stubborn persistence. I silence the damned thing and let it all go to voicemail, the rapid flashing of his increasingly frantic messages a constant reminder of the danger I've escaped.

I need to talk to Rigena, to ground myself in the reality of what I've just done. She is my first logical choice, plus, she knew what was coming. Patrick and her were equally shocked when I filled them in about Enzo being in cahoots with Kieran, on our way back from Castel Gandolfo.

I dial my bestie's number, my fingers trembling as I bring the phone to my ear. "Ri," I manage to gasp out. "I did it. I just dumped Enzo. After everything I saw on those tapes, I couldn't spend a minute longer in that fucking apartment, you know?"

There's a moment of silence on the other end of the line, before Rigena erupts in a cheer. "You did it, Alex! I knew you could do it!" Her enthusiasm is infectious, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself a small smile.

"I'm quitting my job here," I continue, my voice steady now.

"Of course," Rigena replies without hesitation. "I would have done the same if I were you. Pull away from fucking Enzo. Come straight to my place. We'll figure everything out together. Just like we did five years ago, when you came to me from Dublin, Sophie in your belly and all."

The thought of being surrounded by familiar faces once more, by Rigena and her dad, brings me a sense of comfort. Not to mention living with my little angel Sophie again. It was hard enough to have her temporarily sent away. With Rigena's support, I know I can face whatever comes next.

"I'll be there as soon as I've finished my shift," I tell her.

As I hang up the phone, I mentally high five myself. You go, girl! I've effectively taken the first step towards reclaiming my life.

Time for step two.

A cold dread settles in my stomach as I unzip my leather bag, swallowing hard. There, nestled amongst my belongings, is a tiny, innocuous-looking device. A little bug of my own – courtesy of Luciano Il Serpente Bianchi.

My blood runs cold but I tell myself it's gonna be quick and painless. Enzo has been playing this game with me for two fucking years.

What's two silly little minutes in comparison to that? Time to turn this around, to use his own tactics against him.

My gaze sweeps across the room, searching for a suitable hiding place. A soft plush rug right under my feet catches my eye. It's the perfect spot.

With a swift movement, I dislodge the bug from its hiding place in my bag and carefully place it at its new location. I take a moment to admire my handiwork, a twisted sense of satisfaction washing over me.

So Enzo Volpe wanted to play games with me? Fine, I'll play along.

As I turn the corner after I leave Enzo's office, a smug expression undoubtedly adorning my face, I'm intercepted by Dr. Mancini.

We almost collide as his eyebrows raise in surprise. "Chiara Bellini. You are late for your night shift," he admonishes, peering at me over the square rimmed glasses with mild disapproval.

I meet his gaze with defiance, my expression nothing but determined. "Actually, Dr. Mancini, you know what? We need to talk. I quit."

***

It's six a.m. and a familiar scent and freshly brewed coffee washes over me as I step into Rigena's apartment, dead beat tired, dragging the bloody suitcase behind me.

The soft glow of fairy lights and banana-yellow walls creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. It feels more like home than a home I just fled from.

Exhaustion and a strange sense of exhilaration battle within me, and surprise-surprise – exhilaration wins. Leaving Enzo behind feels like shedding a heavy burden, and even if I'm so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open, the reality of what lies ahead is still sinking in.

I collapse onto the living room couch, the soft cushions enveloping me like a comforting embrace.

My phone has been buzzing incessantly for hours, which I promptly ignored while working my last shift. Now I dignify the device with a single, reproachful glance.

What the actual fuck? One hundred and forty-seven missed calls from Enzo? Oh well. I never get that kind of people. If I didn't call you back after five missed calls, what makes you think I'll do it after one hundred and fifty?

I just won't pick up at all, and if the need be, can soon change my number. I've told that prick everything I had to say to him.

As I sink even deeper into the couch, I hear a faint noise from the kitchen.

Is Rigena already up? Curiosity piqued, I get up and investigate, looking forward to embracing my best friend.

But there, standing by the counter, isn't Rigena at all.

It's my mother. Zerina Martinaj.

A wave of surprise washes over me. "Mom? What are you doing here?"

What the hell? Only yesterday, she had promised to give me space. She promised to let me process everything that had happened.

Now, here she is, standing in Rigena's apartment, as if she owned the place, her presence as unexpected as it is unwelcome.

A pang of guilt crosses her face, but it's quickly replaced by a determined look. "Rigena is in her father's room, tending to him. She opened the door for me. I know, I promised," she begins, her voice soft. "But I couldn't stay away."

I raise an eyebrow, my skepticism evident. "Really?"

She nods. "I literally could not. Luciano told me explicitly to come. I'm actually not here about Sofia, Alex. I have a message from Il Serpente."

"Oh?" No matter how tired I am, I still manage to arch a brow. "What's the message?"

"Luciano was impressed, Alex. He said you did a remarkable job with the bug in Enzo's office. He's so pleased."

A shiver runs down my spine. Praise from Luciano is like a poisoned apple, sweet on the surface but, um... deadly on the inside.

"Thanks... I guess?" I manage, crossing my arms.

"That's all. He insisted on me transmitting it personally. And if you want my opinion... You're so brave, Alex," she continues, her eyes softening. "I know it hasn't been easy, leaving Enzo. But you've shown such strength and courage I never thought possible."

A lump forms in my throat, and I turn away to hide the unexpected emotion. Zerina sounds honest.

"About Sofia..." I begin, my voice hesitant.

The thought of introducing my daughter to the woman who abandoned me is a complex one. But the sight of Zerina's longing gaze as I mention my daughter's name softens my resolve.

"I know," she says, understanding dawning in her eyes. "I fully understand that you are not ready. And like I said, I am willing to wait as long as it takes. I just came here to tell you this, and I am leaving. Keeping my promise."

I imagine Sofia in Zerina's arms, the same way I longed for my grandma's hugs when I was a child.

Maybe it's time to let go of the past, to allow for the possibility of healing. And perhaps forgiveness, like healing, is a journey, one step at a time.

"Okay," I whisper. "I appreciate it. But I do want you to see her. Just for a little while, mind you, and you can't tell her who you really are."

I have a strong reason to deny Liam seeing Sofia, but I don't really have one for Zerina — that is, except my own anger and spite.

Zerina's face lights up. "Thank you so much, Alex," she says simply, fisting the tears out of her eyes.

The soft glow of a bedside lamp casts dancing shadows on the walls of Sofia's bedroom, creating a magical atmosphere. The room is a haven of childhood innocence, with pastel pink walls adorned with whimsical stickers of fairies and princesses. A lovely bed, draped in a cloud-like canopy, dominates the space, inviting sweet dreams.

I can't believe Rigena did all this on such short notice – Sofia hasn't been sleeping in here for two weeks, even.

My adorable daughter, a tiny bundle of pink blankets, sleeps peacefully, her delicate features relaxed in slumber. Her soft snores fill the room as my mother steps inside, her footsteps careful on the plush carpet.

She stares at the sleeping child in awe, silent tears running down her cheeks, and I think how beautiful, how special this is – three generations of Martinaj gals in the same space. It's such a bittersweet moment – it embodies all the complexities of family, and the enduring power of love.

"She's beautiful," Zerina whispers. "But oh my god, Alex, she looks just like him. Just like Liam."

"I know." I sigh. As I stare at my special little girl's sleeping features, a memory of her birth is so vivid in my mind.

The pain grows, tears at me, makes me move to flee it, and the moving gives me such strength that I can finally turn and see Rigena's face, Rigena's smile.

"Here's your beautiful girl, Chiara. Here. Look."

I whimper helplessly. The cool glass vial tips and I am freed. Later, when I float again to the edges of consciousness, I open my mouth in readiness, eager for the dreamless darkness.

I turn my head on the pillow. Why is it so fucking hard, just to turn my head?

A pale bundle in someone's hands is there. "Your daughter, Chiara," says Rigena. She parts the folds of the blanket, and I see the tiny sleeping face.

"Oh," I breathe.

So small and so perfect and so helpless. Look at the skin, like rose petals, like cream -no, she's browner than cream, the rose is only a hint of rose. She looks sun-browned, like... like a baby pirate. She looks exactly like Liam!!!

Liam! Why aren't you here to see your baby? Your beautiful dark baby.

I open my eyes halfway. Light hurts them, and I close the lids.

My beautiful tanned baby. Let me look at you. I feel a a strange and frightening weakness.

The baby opens her eyes. They stare directly into mine.

And I feel love. Without conditions, without demands, without reasons, without questions,without bounds, without reserve, without self.

"Hey, little baby," I say. "Your mom is here, right by your side. And she always will be."

Sofia's eyes flutter open, and she looks around, her tiny hand reaching out for me.

"Mommy," she murmurs, her voice mega sleepy. "You're here."

"Yes, my darling angel. Momma is here. Right by your side."

And I always will be.

Her eyes land on Zerina, a look of curiosity crossing her face. "Mommy, who is this lady? Why is she crying? Is she okay?"

Zerina's face softens. "Hi, Sofia," she replies, her voice gentle, breathless. "I must have caught a bug going around. But you know what? These are actually happy tears. I'm so, so happy to finally meet you."

Sofia's eyes widen. "Happy tears?" she repeats, her voice filled with wonder.

"Yes, sweetheart," I confirm, my heart melting at the sight of their interaction.

"What's your name?" Sofia asks shyly.

"Zerina," my mom says, reaching out, her hand hovering over Sofia's tiny one. "Are you feeling well, sweetie? Did you have a good night's sleep?"

Sofia rubs her eyes, her lower lip trembling. "I had a bad dream."

Zerina smiles, her hand gently stroking Sofia's hair. "It's okay, sweetheart. Bad dreams go away when you wake up. You're safe now."

It's a scene of pure, uncomplicated love and I'm all here for it.

The doorbell rings, interrupting the tender moment.

What the hell? Who could it be, this early in the morning?

My heart pounds in my chest as I move towards the door.

"Wait!" Zerina runs after me. "Don't open it if it's Liam."

"Liam? Why would it be Liam?"

"He drove me here." My mother lowers her head sheepishly. "But I told him not to accompany me inside. Maybe he... Maybe he grew impatient?" She bites her lower lip.

Oh no. Liam can't come in here. Not now.

"Shit. Shit. Shit. What do I do?" I hold my head between my hands.

"Don't worry. Maybe I can just tell him we need to go back, fast, and I can drag him away from here. Back to the Castel Gandolfo."

"Thank you. Thank you so much." I smile at my mother for the first time in what feels like forever.

I swing the door open, bracing myself for the worst.

Rigena really needs to invest in a high quality peephole, for fuck's sake.

Standing on the doorstep is not Liam, however.

It's Enzo.

"Morning, cara mia," he greets me, his voice dripping with false charm.

God dammit. Since I wasn't picking up the phone, he correctly assumed I'm in Rigena's apartment.

"What are you doing here, Enzo?"

Before he can respond, Rigena bursts into the hallway in a unicorn unijama, her hair a curly, messy nest atop her head.

"You have some nerve to show your face around here, after everything you've done!" she screams.

Enzo's smile falters, replaced by a look of cold calculation. "I came here to talk to Chiara," he says, his voice almost menacing. "This is between her and me."

"You don't get to talk," Rigena retorts. "She already said everything she had to say to you. This is my house, and you get to leave."

His response is unexpected. "Alex, Ri is right. You did already say everything you had to say to me. But a conversation is a two-way street. You didn't hear me out. Listen to me. I'm not working for Kieran. I'm an undercover policeman."