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Chapter Forty-Nine
FRANCESCA
Bright intrusive light filters in through my lashes as I struggle to open my eyes. My eyelids feel heavy like there are stones on them. I want to open my mouth to cry out against the pain coursing through my body, but it feels like my mouth is full of sand and cotton. I’m trapped in a strange body and I don’t know how to get out.
“She’s blinking,” a familiar voice says beside me. I struggle for a moment before realizing it is Louisa.
“Call the Doctor!”
That’s Mama.
“Call the Doctor, quick, Louisa. I think she’s trying to open her eyes.”
At the sound of Mama’s voice, I fight the pain weighing me down, and after a few attempts, I manage to peel my eyes open. My gaze focuses on Mama. She is standing beside my bed and her eyes are red and swollen from crying.
“Don’t cry, Mama.”
“Oh, Francesca.” She clasps my hand between hers. “I was so afraid. My baby. My darling. Oh, thank God.”
Louisa and the doctor hurry into the room, and upon seeing me awake, Louisa gasps. “You’re awake. Thank God.”
“Louisa.” Her expression is so funny I want to laugh, but my face is tight like there’s a layer of cement on it.
The Doctor steps up beside me. “How do you feel?”
“A splitting headache,” I groan. “And my eyes are heavy. Can I have some water?”
“Here.” Mama holds a glass to my mouth, and I drink greedily, enjoying the relief I feel as the water washes down my throat. When the glass is empty, I take a deep breath.
“That water was good. Already, I feel better.”
“That’s good.” He nods. “I’ll arrange a meal for you. Then you take your medications and have a good rest.”
“Thank you. When can I go home?”
My mother scowls at me. “You won’t be going anywhere. You’ll stay here until the Doctor says it’s time for you to go. I don’t care if it’s one year.”
The Doctor smiles uncertainly and quickly exits the room.
I look around the spacious suite, but I don’t see Valentino anywhere. The door opens and I glance at it excitedly, but my heart falls when I see my Nonno walk in.
He smiles dully at me. “You look disappointed,cara mio. You thought it was your husband?” He walks towards my bed slowly.
I narrow my eyes. I may feel hazy and slow, but I can still tell that there was some tension in the way he said, ‘your husband’. Also, I didn’t miss the quick stare my mom sent his way. Then there’s Louisa, who suddenly finds the patterns on the bed sheets super interesting.
“How do you feel?” Nonno asks.
“I feel fine. Thank you. Where’s Valentino?”
Has something happened to him?
“Mama?” I turn worriedly to my mother. “Where’s my husband?”
“Your husband?” Nonno scoffs. “I think you should concentrate on resting, Francesca. You will need it.”
A slow ache grows in my chest, and it’s different and more intense than the physical ache in my body.
I shake my head restlessly. Something is terribly wrong. I can feel it. “Where’s Valentino, Mama?”