I was working in my home office when I heard Sylvia screaming. As if on cue, all the possibilities of something bad happening to her swam inside my head. My hand went under my desk where a gun was taped and I ripped it before running towards her room upstairs.

I was so thankful that Tina had already left.

I barged inside her room and looked around frantically only to see her panting heavily as her nails were clawing at her throat and she struggled to breathe.

"Ian." She sobbed loudly looking at me.

I rushed to her and sat down on the edge as I pulled her on my lap, carefully, and brought her head to my chest.

"What's the matter, baby?" I asked in panic while rubbing her back trying to calm her down.

"I-he, he was here." She spoke between sobs.

"Who was here, tesoro?" I inquired looking down at her.

"Au-Augustine." She whispered and finally looked up at me with tears cascading down her cheeks.

My jaw clenched and I reached my hand up to her face to wipe her tears, "It was just a bad dream." I whispered back.

Her eyes closed as she bit her bottom lip to stop herself from sobbing more, "But it wasn't just a bad dream, Ian."

Something broke inside my chest as soon as those words left her lips and my vision blurred slightly as I felt tears forming in my own eyes. I closed my eyes briefly to compose myself and opened them again to see her staring at me.

There was an overwhelming amount of vulnerability pooling inside her green orbs which made my heart constrict painfully.

Oh, what I'd give to take that away from her, all of it. But some things in our life are meant to stay with us forever as a symbol of experience. When she recovers from it, she will realize just how strong she had remained throughout this and came out of it, stronger and better. She will look back and feel proud of herself, just like I will.

This pain will be worth it, and I will be damned if I let my woman go through all of it alone.

"Mi dispiace, tesoro." I said and kissed her hair.

(I am sorry, sweetheart)

Her hands fisted the hem of my shirt as she hiccupped and sniffed while resting her head against my shoulder.

"Fa molto male." She said quietly.

(It hurts a lot)

I took a sharp intake of breath as I heard her say that, "Andra tutto bene, io promettere."

(Everything's gonna be fine, I promise)

"You got me?" she asked all of a sudden.

I placed a tender kiss on her forehead and tightened my arms around her, "I got you."

We stayed in each other's embrace until she fell asleep once again and I stayed like that for another fifteen minutes trying to calm my nerves by listening to her soft breathing and seeing her chest rise and fall, rhythmically.

I was about to place her down when there was a knock on the bedroom door and I looked up to see Zia Victoria and Zio Asher standing there.

I placed a finger on my lips and nodded towards her sleeping figure. I placed her back on the bed and covered her, once again, before walking out as they both followed behind.

We came downstairs and sat in the living room.

"Were you crying?" Zio Asher asked.

I cleared my throat, "No." I replied curtly, not wanting to give away any emotion.

"How is she?" he asked.

"She's...healing. She woke up from a bad dream a few minutes ago hence why I was with her." I explained.

The familiar pain in my chest returned as I remembered her words, oh but it was not just a bad dream.

"She looked so pale and thin." Zia commented while looking down at her shaking hands.

I nodded my head in agreement, "I know, I know, she'll be fine in no time." I tried to reassure them.

"Did you talk to her?" he asked.

"I did. She's not ready." I told truthfully.

They both sighed in exhaustion.

"Guess, we weren't the ideal parents, were we?" he questioned rhetorically.

"Don't beat yourself about it, all of us were at fault." I said trying to make them feel less bad than they already did.

"You love her." Zia stated suddenly making me freeze on my spot.

I opened my mouth to reply but she cut me off, "I know you do." She smiled gently.

"I do." I admitted. "I really do, and I feel so stupid for not realizing this earlier. Even though I don't deserve her, I want to give it a shot. For real, this time. But that's only if she wants me to."

"You're just it for her." Zio Asher spoke this time.

"You think so?" I asked.

"I know so." He replied.

"Zio, she'll come around. You just have to wait a little longer. You can go and see her once again, if you like." I stated, gesturing towards the stairs.

They both shook their heads, "I don't think we can." He spoke quietly.

"I can understand."

I actually could understand because I, myself, could not bear to see her in that state. Because each and every scar on her body reminded me of how I was so incompetent to let that happen to my woman.

After they both left, I stood up and went straight to my office to gather all the files and my laptop prior to making my way towards her room.

I'd just work in there so that I can keep an eye on her.

I quietly got in the bed beside her, it was currently three in the afternoon, and immersed myself in the work. I had a lot to catch up on and I was nearly done with all of it when she stirred a little and I started stroking her hair to lull her back to sleep. A minute later, I was sure that she has fallen back asleep so I opened my Gmail and started replying to my emails.

My phone binged indicating that it was time to change Sia's dressings so I quickly shut my laptop and turned to Sia who was sleeping like a baby.

I moved a few strands of hair from her face and caressed her cheeks, "Sia." I whispered softly.

She moved a little before turning her face away from me. I chuckled and lightly shook her shoulders and she finally peeled her eyes open and rubbed them with her fists before looking at me.

"It's time to change your dressing." I told.

She nodded and I helped her sit up, "I'll be out. A female doctor will be here with you. She's nice, she's Zio Paul's colleague." I informed her.

A look of panic crossed her eyes and she shook her head vigorously, "NO!" she nearly shouted.

"Sylvia." I grabbed her by the shoulders in worry.

"Adrian please, I don't want her to see me. I don't want anyone to see me, my body, and my scars." She stated in desperation.

My brows furrowed, "Tesoro, you can't possibly change your own dressing."

"I won't change them. You will."