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Kelly
I wake up when I hear someone cursing.
“Motherfucker!”
I open my eyes. The mask is still on my face. I can see Iacopo standing next to me.
When he sees me looking at him, he explains, “Stubbed my toe.”
I point at my mask. This time, he lets me take it off.
“You’re not coughing anymore.”
“I wasn’t in there for that long.” My voice is still raspy.
Iacopo kneels down next to my bed.
“I want to ask you something.”
“Go for it.” He’s down on one knee as if he’s going to propose to some lucky lady.
“You almost died today.”
“I did not,” I protest. But he just shakes his head.
“It made me realize how I’d feel if you died.”
“How would you feel?”
“Like all the sunlight was gone. Like my world would be eternal night.”
We haven’t really even been involved.
“That’s fast. I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
“I’ve never been more ready. You know that I used to be married. I already have a kid, Lucia.”
“And I love her.”
“And I’d like for you to be part of my family.”
“I’m already sort of part of your family.”
“No, Kelly.” He’s reaching into his jacket pocket.
My entire world stops when I see the ring box in his hand.
“Nope. Nope. Stop.” I put the oxygen mask on, because I feel like all the air
has been sucked out of the room.
“Listen to me. You’ve always been part of the family. I knew that Ariana could’ve ended what we have before it even started.”
I yank my mask off. “I just moved in with you a few days ago! And now you have a ring!”
“It’s my grandmother’s ring.”
“Even worse.” I shake my head. “I can’t accept it.”
