"I know the race didn't go as you planned, but you have to admit, it was fun knowing we were there cheering for you?"

"It was distracting." Valentino mumbles.

He had been grumpy coming home from the race, an early error cost him the advantage of pole position, which led to a series of misfortunes. Bottom line is, he finished in 5th Place.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me Alessia." He groans.

Alessia inhales, collecting herself.

Joining him on the sofa she begins scratching the back of his head. "I know that you're upset, but blaming what happened during the race on us..."

Rapidly he rises to his feet, "I'm not blaming you, I'm telling you like it is, you were distracting me."

"Vale?"

"You'll quit the job tomorrow."

"Is that what you want?" She could no longer excuse his moodiness, his words were cutting like knives.

"It's what is best."

"For who?" She stops him in his tracks on the way to the bathroom.

"Lessy don't start..."

"Start what, defending myself?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

There is a pause where she looks at him, confusion in her face.

"I have literally given up my whole life for you, for us and now you're telling me I can't do the one thing that is finally my own, because you feel it is distracting you."

Valentino's eyes are dark behind his curls. "Well, I didn't ask you to do that." He mumbles.

"What did you say?" Alessia felt the rage wanting to be unleashed, Valentino was pushing the right buttons.

"I said, I didn't ask you to give up your life for me, that was your...."

Time pauses as Alessia's hand goes to brush his cheek, she pulls her throbbing hand back. "I can't belive you just fucking said that."

Alessia leaves him standing, she wants to take Esmeralda and she wants to get out of there. She rocks back and forth as if she were on the deck of a sailing ship, struggling to breath.

"Alessia?" She hears him call in the distance.

Reaching Esmeraldas bedroom, she flung the door open. To her miss fortune Esmerlada was sleeping peacefully, Alessia not having the heart to move her.

Returning to the living room on her way to their bedroom, she passes Valentino without meeting his eye. In their bedroom is where she starts packing a bag.

"Lessy what are you doing, don't leave." Valentino blocks the doorway.

"I have to get out." She mumbles, putting the last items in her bag.

"Lessy I'm sorry I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it okay."

With tears in her eyes she turns to him. "Vale you can't just hurt me like that just because you feel like it. What you said...'' She stumbles on her words. "...I can't believe you fucking said that, after all we have been through."

His hand moves to grab the bag, "I'm sorry." He cries. "I'm so fucking sorry."

"Where are you going? Lessy please."

"Bathroom." she groans, pushing past him, locking herself in the bathroom. Alessia let's the water run, allowing her to cry with confidence.