Chapter 52

• The tension that had been all that had been holding her upright suddenly seemed to evaporate, leaving her whole body sagging weakly. Her vision blurred as the stinging tears filmed her eyes and all the fierce blinking in the world wouldn’t clear it for her. Her head was swimming, there was a buzzing sound in her ears and she had to put a hand to the wall for support.
• ‘Excuse me…’
• She didn’t know if Alessandro heard her, but the truth was that she was past caring. If she stayed she would be a problem. She had to get out of the room, get some air. She didn’t dare to look back at Luca for fear that seeing him would finish her completely and she would collapse in an abject, miserable heap right at Alessandro’s feet.