Chapter 11 - THE MAN WHO CAME TO MY BROTHER'S HOSPITAL ROOM
Z
Luca visited Daniel on a Wednesday afternoon.
He called first.
Asked permission.
And arrived carrying nothing more dramatic than a box of pastries.
Daniel stared at him.
“So you're the boss.”
Luca smiled faintly.
“Apparently.”
Daniel looked at the pastries.
“Are those from Bellucci's?”
“Yes.”
“Then we can talk.”
I laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh I'd had in days.
Luca sat beside the window.
Daniel studied him.
“You know my sister worked herself sick for that job?”
Luca nodded.
“I know now.”
Daniel's expression hardened.
“She didn't tell me half of what was happening.”
“I understand.”
“No,” Daniel said. “I don't think you do.”
I froze.
But Luca didn't interrupt.
Daniel continued.
“Anna worked weekends, holidays, double shifts. She skipped meals. She paid my therapy bills. And when your fiancée hurt her, she was scared she'd lose the only job keeping us afloat.”
Luca looked down.
Daniel's voice softened.
“She's the strongest person I know.”
I felt tears fill my eyes.
Luca nodded.
“I believe you.”
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Daniel asked:
“What are you going to do about it?”
Luca considered.
“Make sure the workplace is safer. Address the failures in management. And cooperate with the investigation.”
Daniel studied him.
“Good.”
Then he pointed at the pastries.
“Now pass those over.”
Luca laughed.
I stared.
I had never heard him laugh like that.
Not the controlled, polite laugh he used at dinner parties.
A real laugh.
Warm.
Almost surprised.
Later, while Daniel ate, Luca asked about his rehabilitation.
Daniel explained the exercises.
The pain.
The frustration of depending on other people.
Luca listened.
He didn't offer to buy a hospital.
He didn't promise miracles.
He simply asked questions.
When he left, Daniel looked at me.
“He's different than I expected.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Different how?”
Daniel considered.
“Less terrifying.”
I laughed.
Then he grew serious.
“Anna.”
“What?”
“Don't fall in love with someone just because he finally treats you decently.”
I stared.
My face warmed.
“Daniel!”
He smiled.
“I'm your brother. I'm allowed to be annoying.”
I shook my head.
But his words stayed with me.
Because I had begun noticing Luca in ways I didn't want to admit.
The way he listened.
The way he apologized.
The way he looked at me as though my answers mattered.
And I knew Daniel was right.
Gratitude wasn't love.
Safety wasn't romance.
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And I needed to learn the difference before I let my heart decide anything.
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