Page 91 of Luca

"But Gabriella needs her sister. And I think you need her too."

Sofia nods, accepting the phone. "Thank you. For understanding that."

“Family is important, even when it's complicated."

As the afternoon fades into evening, we make plans. I'll visit Prague when I can, always with different reasons, different schedules. Sofia will send updates about her life, her work, the small freedoms she's collecting like treasures. The phones will stay charged and hidden, our secret line to each other.

"I should go," Luca says finally. "Let you two have some time alone."

"Actually," Sofia says, "I have something to give you too."

She disappears into her bedroom and returns with a small wrapped package. "For your anniversary," she explains, handing it to me. "I know it's early."

Inside is a hand-painted picture frame, simple but beautiful, with two birds in flight. One heading east, one heading west, but both free.

"It's perfect," I breathe.

"I made it at the gallery. For whatever photo you want to put in it."

I hug her tightly. "I love you," I whisper. "And I'm so proud of who you've become."

"I love you too. And I'm so glad you found someone who sees who you really are."

When we finally leave, the sun is setting over Prague's red rooftops. Luca and I walk back toward the hotel district in comfortable silence, my sister's gift tucked carefully in my jacket.

"She's remarkable," he says finally.

"She is. She's become everything she was meant to be."

"Like you."

I stop walking and turn to face him. "Am I?"

"You're exactly who you're meant to be. Wild and fierce and stubborn." He reaches out to touch my face. "And loved."

As we walk through Prague's ancient streets, I think about choices. About the night I answered Sofia's desperate phone call and decided to save her. About the morning I put on a wedding dress that wasn't meant for me. About all the moments since when I could have confessed, could have run, could have chosen the easier path.

And about this afternoon, watching my sister serve lunch in her tiny kitchen with paint under her fingernails and pride in her voice.

Both of us free.

Both of us exactly where we belong.

Both of us finally, truly ourselves.

My phone buzzes. A message from Sofia: "Thank you. For everything. For my life."

I text back: "Thank you for yours."

Because that’s what we gave each other in the end. Not just safety or protection from the lives we didn’t want. We gave each other the freedom to choose the lives we do want. Even when those choices look nothing like what anyone expected.

“Ready to go home?” Luca asks as we reach our hotel.

“Yes,” I say, taking his hand. “I’m ready.”

Because the truth is, the lie didn’t trap us. It set us free. Luca kisses me then, slow and certain, a promise against my lips. And I know.

I will never run again.

***