Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN WHO SAVED HIM TWICE
Two weeks after Alessandro left the hospital, I received a letter.
Not flowers.
Not jewelry.
A letter.
Written by hand.
Emily,
You told me once that your apartment's water heater sounded like a dying tractor.
I asked my attorney to investigate the building's ownership.
Apparently, I do not own it.
For once, this is disappointing.
I hope you're sleeping.
And I hope you know that I remember more than the frightening things.
I remember you telling me about your mother's terrible cooking.
Your brother's graduation.
Your dream of becoming a nurse practitioner.
And the way you always told me the truth.
Thank you for treating me like a person.
Alessandro.
I read the letter three times.
Then folded it carefully.
My best friend, Rachel, found me smiling in the break room.
“Oh, no.”
I looked up.
“What?”
She pointed at the letter.
“That's the face.”
“What face?”
“The face of a woman about to make a terrible romantic decision.”
I laughed.
“It's a thank-you note.”
Rachel crossed her arms.
“From a mafia boss.”
I sighed.
“Yes.”
“Who is ridiculously handsome.”
I looked away.
Rachel gasped.
“Oh, Emily.”
I didn't write back immediately.
I had spent years building my career.
I knew the risks of confusing gratitude, vulnerability, and romantic attachment.
Alessandro was still recovering.
I had been part of his care team.
That mattered.
But after his discharge and the end of my clinical responsibilities, I sent a short reply.
Dear Alessandro,
I'm glad you're recovering.
For the record, the water heater still sounds like a tractor.
And yes, I am sleeping.
Mostly.
Emily.
Three days later, a maintenance technician appeared at my apartment.
He said the landlord had finally authorized a replacement water heater.
I immediately called Alessandro's attorney.
“Did he arrange this?”
Daniel sounded amused.
“No, Miss Carter.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“Quite sure. Your building has been cited repeatedly for maintenance violations.”
I paused.
“Oh.”
Daniel chuckled.
“Sometimes a water heater is just a water heater.”
I hung up.
Then laughed.
May you like
For the first time in weeks, my life felt ordinary.
And I hadn't realized how much I missed ordinary.
