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‘I didn’t think it would take so long,’ said Gia.

‘That what would take so long?’ asked Claudia, confused.

Gia shook her head, as if she didn’t have the energy to explain.

‘What were you going to say?’ pressed Claudia.

‘It’s not important.’

‘I think it is.’

‘I didn’t think it would take so long for you to go back on your word,’ she said.

Claudia realized a part of Gia had always expected Claudia to hurt her, to let her down.

‘I’m sorry it has to be like this. If I had my way, you would be at my side every hour of every day,’ said Claudia.

‘Then what’s the problem?’

‘I must do the right thing and put aside my selfish desires.’

‘Is that what I am to you? A selfish desire?’

‘Compared to ruling Rome? Yes.’

‘I can’t even stay here in your room to keep watch over you as your guard because people are gossiping?’

Gia didn’t move.

‘You won’t change your mind? You really want me to leave?’

Claudia almost caved, but fear made her strong.

‘Please, Gia, I beg you to understand,’ she said. ‘You are always protecting me. Now I’m trying to keep us safe too, just in a different way. It is clear to me. The closer we are seen to be, the more you are a target. We must be apart, for now.’

‘As you wish,’ said Gia, in a tone that was unmistakably resentful. She abruptly pulled open the drapes and stood up.

‘Gia,’ said Claudia softly. ‘Please.’

‘Please what?’

‘Please don’t make this harder than it already is.’

‘What do you want from me? I’m not arguing with you, or kicking off. You can’t expect me to be happy about it too.’

Gia stood there a moment in silence, as if waiting for Claudia to say she’d made a mistake, but she didn’t.

The silence stretched thin.

Claudia held her nerve, though everything inside her told her to backtrack, to forfeit, to submit.

‘Goodnight, then,’ said Gia coldly.

It seemed like a small thing, on the face of it, for them to sleep apart, but it was much bigger in a symbolic sense. Claudia realized that now, only when it was too late.

‘Goodnight,’ was all she could say without crying.

Gia didn’t turn back, closing the door behind her.