A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

| didn't need to look at his face to know he was frowning.

"Why would you say that?"

"| just want to know if-"

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Hei cutoff, "I got you into this situation, Alena. Sofia was supposed to be my problem and not yours. |

should've taken better care of you so you wouldn't get hurt. A burden, you said, You're my wife. If things were

much worse than this and | had to take care of you, I'd never think of you as a burden." | kept quiet, focusing on

the way his hand was caressing me.

"| just needed to hear that. Thank you."

"I love you, Alena. | don't know how it happened, but | love you and | can't think of living my life without you. If

there's anything, please lettake care of you. If there's something wrong, please letknow. | want to be

there for you all the time."

"You're going to makecry again," | began to sob.

FD

To

Instead of asking further questions, he pulledcloser and letrest on his chest. He rubbed my back softly

as | cried out, feeling touched by his words.

| didn't understand why | was becoming more sensitive. | realized it now.

We had fallen asleep in each other's arms, snuggling close. I didn't wake up for another nightmare and my

husband seemed to be sleeping soundly, too. | loved the warmth of his body and how it managed to make me

feel safe.

The next morning, one of the nurses walked in on us sleeping together. She tried her hardest not to wake us up

because she only wanted to check on my blood pressure, but Matteo had already woken up, monitoring every

single action.

When my breakfast arrived, he didn't leteat on my own. He insisted on feedingeven though I didn't have

any trouble to feed myself. So, here he was, sitting on the bed withand feedingporridge.

In fact, it started to taste better because he was feeding me.

"If you keep doing everything for me, | can't do anything without you once | discharge." | said, looking straight

into his eyes.

He smiled, "Good. You'll needfor everything,"

s a plain porridge with a few chicken slices, but it was good enough to fill my tummy.

It was a

"Are you not hungry?"

1 asked.

"I'll eat later. You need to finish your food first,"

"I might cry again...

Matteo sighed, leaning closer tobefore tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear. "I don't mind if you want

to cry, baby. But | hate to see you cry."

"Because | don't look pretty when I cry?"

He chuckled, "No... because I'll feel as if | can't make you happy

"I'm only crying because you're being too sweet. | don't know how I got so lucky,"

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Chapter 32

"I'm the lucky one, beautiful Now, con, you need to eat your porridge."

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As he continued to feed me, | went ahead to keep staring at him | was taking my sweet tto eye his every

features. My eyes wandered up from his dark brown hair, seeing how they were soft and healthy. Then, | looked

into his eyes, loving how they were the lightest shade of brown | had ever encountered. Maybe, | was just being

bias because he was my husband, but he was too attractive.

| noticed the nurses throwing glances at him. Well, instead of being jealous and all possessive, | took pride-he

was handsome, and people could stare all day if they wanted to. for me.

Matteo only had eyes for

His eyelashes were thick and long, makingwonder why men were always blessed with those kinds of lashes.

Then, his full lips. They were pink and soft to the touch; I could almost feel him kissingall the time. That was

why | couldn't get enough. After he was finished feeding me, my doctor cin to check on me.

She was checking on my wound, making sure everything was clean. She also checked if | had any fever because

she was afraid of an infection. However, | was feeling fine apart from the slight pain coming from the wound.

She convincedit was norm normal, and | only needed to let it heal.

When it was tfor visitors, Mama and Ana cin the door.

They were smiling as they brought balloons as well as flowers. My eyes widened before becoming excited-I had

never needed to be admitted to a hospital before and this kind of treatment were only something | saw with

other patients. It was a nice feeling to be experiencing it on my own.

"Balloons and flowers?" | laughed, "You two are too sweet.".

"We wanted to cheer you up more even though we know your husband is doing a very good job at that." Ana

replied, smiling before playfully pinching my arm.

other hand, smiled as he took the balloons and the flowers before placing them near the desk.

Matteo, on the other han

"How are you feeling today, my sweetheart?" Mama asked, sitting besideas she caressed the back of my

hand.

Apart from feeling my husband's touch, my Mama's touch was just as good. She knew how to comfortand to

soothe my worries away. | always wanted to be around her when | was younger. She understoodmore than

Papa ever did. "I'm feeling better, Mama. It's good to have you and Ana here,"

"We thought we could keep you company while Matteo leaves to get a few things settled with work," she replied.

My eyes wandered to my husband, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you going to work today?"

"I just need to settle a few things with Sofia, and I'll be back before you know it,"

He didn't tellhe was going to get it done today but | had assumed because he didn't wantto worry too

much. He knew her nwas probably going to trigger me-l even had nightmares about her last night.

Besides, he needed to settle things with her in order to move forward.

| knew he was holding back his anger withbecause he wantedto stay calm as well. He had a lot going in

his head and

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Chapter 32

he was probably even plotting ways on how to get back on Sofia,

I never understood about men in the mafia.

Yet, | knew they were always overprotective of their wives.

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Papa

was like that

t too with Mama. Mama was always his priority whenever and wherever. He knew to prioritize Mama's safety

above all else. That was why he assigned us a family bodyguard whenever he wasn't around. He wanted us to be

safe. Mama was a lucky woman, too.

Papa

"Okay,

I understand." "I nodded.

"I'm going to take a quick shower. Will you girls be fine?"

Mama and Ana nodded, throwing him a thumbs up.

Then, he walked towardsbefore kissing the top of my head. With one hand holding onto his duffel bag, he

walked to the bathroom, leaving my sister and mother to tease me.

"I'm actually jealous of you." Ana joked, laughing.

"Why would you be? I'm sure your boyfriend is just as sweet."

"Oh, him. We decided to take a break."

Mama frowned, "Why? Did something happen, honey?"

Ana shook her head as she shrugged, "I think we're both just too busy to commit at the moment. Besides, he can

get a little bit needy at times. | kind of want my own freedom,"

"If you're doing it for you and your happiness, go for it." | responded.

"Yeah, exactly. My friends were like judging my choices, but | guess | don't have to care about what other people

think."

I've beca very intelligent woman."

"You've "I know."

The three of us continued to talk about life as we watched the television, a funny reality show was being played.

It was good to have them around because at least, | wasn't going to feel lonely-Matteo needed to settle things as

well, he didn't have to feel as if he needed to put everything on hold for me.

Ana was scrolling on her phone to get food delivered. She was feeling hungry and because they were staying

here for the next few hours, she wanted to eat something.

While Mama was slowly massaging my feet, saying | needed to keep my blood flowing. She said | was in bed rest

and couldn't walk as often, at least a foot massage was going to keep with my blood circulation.

I let her be, as long as she was happy because the moment, | tried to say no, she was already sulking.

Matteo stepped out of the bathroom, fully dressed in a different outfit. He was wearing a black shirt with black

jeans-1 assumed he chose the color because he didn't want them to get dirty. His hair was a bit wet from the

shower, but he! it air dry.

As usual, my husband was mouth-watering.

He made his way towardsbefore kissing my cheek and softly on my lips, "If there's anything just call me,

okay? | won't be long."

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sun,

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Chapter 32

| nodded my head, "Okay. Please be safe,"

Then, he went to look at Ana and Mama. "Callif there's anything,"

The two women nodded their heads and Matteo took it that everything was going to be fine here. He placed the

duffel bag

on the sofa before walking out after grabbing a few things that he needed.

There he went and | was silently praying for him to be safe.