Chapter 107 MY SISTER.
\~~~RAINA.
I don't know how long I sat there, lost in my thoughts, when honks suddenly cut through them. Alissia’s car pulled up across from me, faster than I expected and my head snapped up, my blurry vision focusing on the car.
Relief washed over me like a warm blanket, easing the tightness in my chest just a little. I sighed softly, wiping my face with the back of my hand.
The driver's door opened, and Alessia stepped out. She was dressed simply in a black dress and her dark hair was pulled into a ponytail. Her eyes scanned the street until they landed on me, and her face softened with worry.
I started dragging my bag toward her, the wheels scraping against the sidewalk. My legs felt weak, but I pushed forward, needing to close the distance.
We stopped in front of each other, just a few feet apart. Alessia looked at me for a long moment, taking in my red eyes, the tear-streaked face, the way I hunched over as if I might break. Then, without a word, she opened her arms and pulled me into a hug.
"Oh, come here, baby," she murmured, her voice gentle and steady.
I smiled softly, the first real smile in what felt like hours, and hugged her tightly. My arms wrapped around her waist, and I buried my face in her shoulder.
I deeply inhaled her comforting lavender soap and vanilla lotion.
As I closed my eyes, something shifted inside me. It was as though there were no tears left in my eyes because none were coming anymore. The sobs had dried up, leaving me hollow but calm in her embrace.
We stood like that for a while, the world fading around us. Alessia's hand rubbed slow circles on my back, grounding me.
Finally, we broke the hug, but she kept a hand on my arm, like she didn't want to let go completely.
"Let's go," she said, reaching for my bag. She collected it easily, wheeling it toward the car while I followed. She dropped it in the back seat, a soft thud.
Alessia didn't ask any questions. She just turned the key, the engine humming to life, and drove out of the street.
The silence was a relief, wrapping around me like a cocoon. I glanced at her profile, the way her hands gripped the wheel loosely, and the way her jaw was set.
She was giving me space, and I was grateful. I was tired of going through the same thing over and over in my head again. The divorce… rejection from my parents…
They all swirled, but right now, I just wanted silence.
I dropped my head against the cool glass of the window and looked out.
The drive to her house was so silent that I lost track of time. I was so deep in my thoughts, wondering what tomorrow would bring, and if I'd ever feel whole again, that I didn't notice we'd arrived until Alessia tapped my shoulder gently.
"We are here," she said softly.
I blinked, straightening up. Her house came into view, and I breathed out in relief.
We got out, and she grabbed my bag again, leading the way up to the front door.
Alessia hung her keys on the hook by the door as we entered fully and turned to me. "Do you want tea or juice? Something to drink?"
I shook my head. "I am okay. Really."
She didn't answer right away. Instead, she walked away toward the kitchen, her footsteps light on the floor. A few minutes later, she returned with a glass of orange juice.
"Take this," she insisted, holding it out.
"Thank you," I murmured, collecting it from her.
I took a small sip, set it on the table in front of me, and then Alessia sat down in the chair beside me, crossing her legs. She pressed her lips together for a while and then said, "So, should I have a room prepared for you or do you want me to…"
"You are not going to ask anything?" I cut her short, turning fully to look at her.
She paused, her eyes meeting mine steadily. "I will listen to you if you wanna talk. I know you are in a bad state right now, and I don't wanna pester you further."
Her patience cracked something open in me. I took a deep breath, staring at my hands in my lap. "Luciano and I are divorcing. We have both signed the agreement."
Alessia breathed out slowly, running her hand through her hair. Strands fell loose around her face. "I wish it didn't come down to this," she muttered, but I heard her clearly.
I nodded, chuckling, "So, I went to my parents' but..." I shook my head and laughed. A blank, hollow sound that echoed in the room. "They turned me away. They don't wanna have anything to do with me." I laughed again, but it came out bitter, and tears pricked at the edges of my eyes once more.
"So... I don't know where to go."
Alessia leaned forward, her expression softening further. "I am glad I called at the right time."
"Me too," I replied, my voice finally breaking on the words. The vulnerability hit hard, making my throat tight again.
I hesitated, twisting my fingers together. "Can I..." The question stuck. "Can I stay..." I pressed my lips together, afraid of the answer.
She didn't let me finish. "I have over four vacant rooms here, baby. If you wanna fill the whole four, I am giving it to you." Her tone was light, but sincere. "I'd be so glad if you stayed here, too. I have a fully furnished room you can stay in. I will just arrange it a little because it's been a while since I went there. Okay?"
"God, thank you..." I palmed my face, rubbing at my eyes to hide the fresh wave of emotion.
Relief, gratitude, and embarrassment even mixed together, overwhelming me. "I will get a space as soon as possible and…"
"You are staying with me from now on, baby," she interrupted gently, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I could use a housemate, trust me. The place gets too quiet sometimes."
I looked up, searching her face. "But... Please, can you never mention to Luciano that I am here? He probably thinks I'm fine with my parents’."
Alessia nodded her head, the smile growing a little warmer. "Absolutely. Your secret's safe with me."
"Thank you, Alessia, God, thank you," I said, sniffing back the tears that were now threatening to fall. My voice wobbled, but it felt good to say it out loud.
She reached over, squeezing my hand. "Why would you thank me? You are my sister."
Those words wrapped around me like another hug.
In a world where my family had let me down, Alessia was the one constant. I squeezed her hand back, the juice glass forgotten on the table.
We sat there in companionable silence for a while longer. Alessia didn't push for more details, and I didn't offer.
Instead, she stood up eventually and gestured toward the hallway. "Come on, let's get you settled. That room's got a great view of the garden."
“Oh, I love gardens,” I said, and she chuckled.