Chapter 44



Surrounded by all the sketches Luca had made, Daisy sat in the middle of his office with the pair of scissors in her hand.

Her tears had dried on her face and her eyes were as empty as the desert. She felt nothing and that alone brought a strange sense of calm.

There was no anger. No pain. No hurt. No affection.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Daisy took a deep breath and raised the scissors. She used her free hand to pull on her long locks to keep them from getting away as she lowered the blade on them.

"Don't do it."

Daisy stilled. She looked over her shoulder and found Emma standing at the door of the study. Her face was masked with the expression of horror as her eyes scanned the sketches all over the floor and desk.

"Put the scissor down," she said with caution.

"I need a trim," Daisy said.

"No, you don't," Emma walked into the room and tossed her bag on the chair. She dropped to her knees beside Daisy and grabbed her shoulders. "You have beautiful hair."

"I'm blonde," Daisy said as if she didn't hear anything Emma was saying. "Like her."

"Don't look at these," Emma began to gather up all the sketches. "What is all this? Where did they come from?"

"Luca drew them," Daisy placed the scissors in front of her.

"Oh," Emma turned with her hands full of sketches. She looked down at what she held and her heart twisted. Daisy watched her carefully to make sure she was not the only one who saw what Luca was sketching.

"You see it too, right?" She asked. "Her face, my eyes. My face, her smile. Her nose, my freckles."

With a deep frown on her face, Emma sat back on her legs and flipped through the sketches.

"I'll always be in her shadows," Daisy continued, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them.

"That's not true," Emma shook her head. "Luca lov-"

"He loves Stella," Daisy said. She surprised herself when she didn't break down in tears speaking those words. "He'll shout it from the rooftops that he loves her. But he'll never whisper it to me."

Emma didn't know what to say as she stared at the somber girl before her. There was no color in her cheeks and her eyes looked dull and lifeless.

"I don't think I have anymore fight left in me," Daisy said, speaking to herself. "I can't fight for his affection anymore. It's a losing battle."

Emma's heart hurt hearing those words. She didn't know Daisy too well, but the heartache she had gone through was evident on her face.

"Fighting to be number one," Daisy chuckled. "Forever coming in second."

"What are you saying?" Emma asked. "Are you.....do you plan on leaving him?"

"I don't know if I can," Daisy raised one shoulder. Her eyes were focused somewhere else. She was physically in front of Emma but her mind was nowhere in the room. "I love him too much to leave him. But staying with him is going to kill me."

"I'm sure there's an explanation for all this," Emma said, looking down at the papers in her hands once more. "I'm sure Luca can expl-"

"I can't take Theo away from him," Daisy frowned. "He loves that little boy so much."

"And he loves you too."

"Did you know I never had a dad?" Daisy said. "I never made a Father's day card for anyone."

"Daisy..."

"Theo and I made one for Luca last year," Daisy smiled. "He has it in his office."

"See, he loves you guys," Emma said. "You can't just leave."

"I know," Daisy said. "I can't leave. I can't do that to Theo."

"We shouldn't be talking about this," Emma shook her head. "Take to Luca first."

"There's nothing to say to him," Daisy shrugged.

"That can't be true."

"It is," Daisy unlocked her arms and placed them beside her. She pushed herself up to her feet and ran a hand through her hair.

"I'll clean this up," Emma said. "Why don't you go get ready. You said you wanted to go to the hospital together, right?"

"I don't want to go anymore," Daisy turned and walked towards the exit. "I don't want to see him."

________________________

Luca squeezed his eyes shut in an attempt to clear his vision. His head felt too heavy to keep up and his throat was as dry as the desert. Licking his lips, he slowly raised his hand and touched the oxygen tube under his nose.

"Slowly," Carla said, lowering his hand. "You need to keep that on."

"Dee..." Luca muttered. His eyes closed and all he could think about were his favorite hazel eyes. So full of light and spark.

Carla leaned back to peer at Luca before looking back at the doctor at the foot of the bed.

"Mr. Silvano," the man cleared his throat. "Do you know where you are?"

Luca struggled to hold his head up. Carla quickly pushed a pillow behind his head and helped him get comfortable.

"The hospital?" Luca said, leaning his head back.

"Do you remember how you got here?"

"No..." Luca shook his head. "What happened?"

"You were shot," Carla said. "At the docks. Do you remember?"

Luca's nose scrunched up in confusion, "Who shot me?"

"Dante."

"Why?"

"You were trying to send Gia away," Carla said. "Does any of this ring a bell?"

"No," Luca shook his head. "Is Gia okay? Where is she?"

"She's fine," Carla said. "She's okay."

"Do you remember how you got to the docks?" The doctor asked, trying to jog Luca's memory and see how much damage the lack of blood and oxygen had caused.

"No," he shook his head once more.

"How much can you recall?" Carla asked. "Before waking up here?"

"I...." Luca struggled to keep his eyes open. "Gia and I were going to see the other families."

"Yes," Carla nodded.

"And then....." Luca frowned.

His mind ran blank. He couldn't recall what had happened. He knew he was driving Gia to the meeting but had the meeting happened?

"Mr. Silvano, I'm going to give you some names and I want you to tell me how you're related to these people, okay?" Dr. Bellini said. "We just want to see if there has been any memory loss."

"I'm fine," Luca said.

"Just answer the questions, Luc," Carla clicked her tongue.

"Where were you born?" Dr. Bellini asked.

"Del Mare," Luca said."

"What's your mother's name?"

"Gianna Silvano."

"Please tell me how you are related to these people," Dr. Bellini said. "Carla."

"My aunt," Luca answered, leaning his head back against the pillow and closing his eyes.

"Gia."

"My sister."

"Angelo."

"My father."

"Theo."

"My son."

"Daisy."

Luca felt his heart contract once more at the thought of hazel eyes. He lifted his head and opened his eyes. "Where is she?"

"Daisy?" Dr. Bellini said once more.

"Yes, Daisy," Luca said. "My wife. Where is she?"

"She's at home," Carla said.

"I want to see her," Luca felt his eyes grow heavy once more. He tried to shake off the feeling and sit up. His body felt too stiff and sore.

"She'll be here soon," Carla lied, knowing Daisy hadn't been to the hospital since he had called out to Stella in his unconscious state.

Carla had seen the photographs in the storage room and the sketches in the office. When Emma told her all of the things Daisy had said, Carla prepared herself for what would happen once Luca awoke.

Luca's eyes closed and let out a heavy breath. "I want to see her..."

______________________

"Are you sure about this?" Emma asked as she sat beside Daisy at the salon.

"Yes," Daisy said without hesitation.

"Think about it one more time?" Emma pleaded. "You have such beautiful blonde hair."

"I don't want blonde hair anymore," Daisy said. "I don't want anything that makes me resemble her."

"Daisy," Emma frowned. "Please....just thin-"

"Emma, you can stay if you're going to be quiet," Daisy said. "But if you're going to try and talk me out of the only thing that makes sense in my head right now then leave. Please."

Emma sank in her seat and pretended to zip her lips and put the key in her pocket. Daisy turned back to the mirror and sighed, letting her shoulders drop. The hairdresser stepped forward and soon every strand of Daisy's blonde hair was coated with the dark formula of her new hair color.

The cold formula touched her roots and then her scalp. Daisy felt it all. She sat watching her appearance change into someone she barely knew. It was fitting since she barely recognized the person she had become emotionally and mentally.

"Luca's not going to be happy," Emma muttered under his breath.

Daisy chose to ignore her comments as she nodded for the hair dresser to continue.

"We let this sit for a few," the man said as he after a while as he finished up the last stand of hair. "I'll come and check back in about thirty minutes."

"Is it supposed to smell this strong?" Daisy asked. "It's making me nauseous."

"It's our best formula," the man frowned. "The smell is almost nonexistent."

"Are you kidding?" Daisy pulled her hand out from under the black apron and pinched her nose.

"Let's go sit by the window," Emma said, taking her hand and pulling her out of the chair.

Daisy stumbled as her head began to spin. She paused and grabbed the chair to steady herself.

"Lightheaded, again?" Emma asked, looking over her shoulder.

Daisy nodded. Her face scrunched up as she tried to stop her head from spinning.

"You really need to eat more," Emma frowned. "You're always lightheaded. This can't be good for you."

Daisy let go of the chair and grabbed her phone. Just as she took a step towards the window, a text from Carla lit up her screen. She paused in the middle of the salon and began to read the words.

Luca's asking for you. He wants to see you.

Daisy stared at the words. None of it registered in her brain as her cold and empty heart continued to carry on beating its irregular pattern. She looked up and caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her hand lowered her phone and she put it back in her pocket.

"Everything okay?" Emma asked.

"Yeah," Daisy nodded. "Carla just wanted to check in."

__________________________

"I'm fine," Luca clicked his tongue as Carla stood before him with her arms folded over her chest and a look of disapproval in her eyes.

"You shouldn't be discharged so quickly," Carla said. "You need more time to heal."

"I can do that at home too," Luca pulled on his shirt and tried not to grimace from how his shoulders hurt. "You're funny if you think I'm just going to sit here and do nothing while Gia is out there with Daniel."

"That's what got you in this situation!" Carla snapped. "Let it be. They're married and you heard what she said on the phone. She's fine!"

"Don't tell me you believe that," Luca's brows furrowed. "She did not sound fine on the phone."

"And what do you plan on doing, huh?" Carla asked. "Flying to Florence in this condition and bringing her back home? They're married now! Armani and Giovanni will cut off your head if you interfere."

"I don't know!" Luca snapped. "I can't just sit here. I need to figure something else out. I need to see Theo and I need to see my wife. Where is she? She hasn't answered any of my calls."

"Daisy's fine-"

"Is she?" Luca asked. "Because you keep telling me but something doesn't feel right. Why isn't she here?"

Carla hesitated for a second. She tried to recover quickly but Luca caught the way her eyes flickered.

"Did something happen to her?" He asked, his eyes serious and dark.

"No," Carla shook her head. "She's okay. She's safe."

"What are you not telling me?"

"Luca," Carla shook her head. "You can't be under all this stress right now."

"What the fuck does that mean?" Luca's tone grew sharp. "Why do you keep avoiding talking about Daisy? What happened?"

As Carla hesitated once more, Luca's patience ran out.

"Fuck this," Luca said, grabbing his phone, wallet and keys of the small bedside table. "I need to see her and see for myself what you're hiding."

________________________

"My goodness," Maria's eyes widened as Daisy walked through the door. "What did you do to your hair?"

"You don't like it?"

"It's so dark," Maria frowned. "You had such beautiful blonde hair."

"So did the Queen of Del Mare," Daisy rolled her eyes.

"What?"

Daisy ignored the old woman as she ran up the stairs and towards Theo's nursery. She quickly found Dana playing with the little boy and ran into the room. Theo paused and stared at his mother, not recognizing her for a few seconds with her new hair. But when he did, his whole face lit up and he let out a shrill of happiness.

"Hi, bubba," Daisy scooped him up into her arms and began to kiss his cheeks. "I missed you. I missed you so much. I'm sorry I had to leave for a little bit."

"Your hair looks so different," Dana observed. "It's nice."

"Thank you," Daisy tried to smile but she found it too difficult. She wasn't sure if she could ever make herself do that again. "Thanks for looking after him too."

"Of course," Dana nodded. "Is there anything else you need?"

"No," Daisy shook her head. "I just want to be alone for a few."

"Okay," Dana took a step towards the door.

Daisy didn't wait around to watch her woman walk out as she turned back to Theo and inhaled his sweet scent. It grounded her as she changed him and dressed him for the pool. It was a beautiful sunny day. Daisy had no desire to be anywhere else but inside the room. However, she knew it wouldn't be good for Theo to stay cooped up with her all day. She pulled herself together and covered the little boy with sunscreen before making her way down to the pool.

"Which toy do you want today?" Daisy asked Theo as she fixed the bucket hat on his head. "Do you want the ducks or the blue whale?"

Theo squinted in the bright sunlight. His arm raised above his head as he began to open and close his small fingers.

"The ducks or the whales?" Daisy asked again. "Or do you want to go see the butterflies in the garden? I want to see the butterflies. Let's go see the butterflies."

Walking around the pool, Daisy made her way to the back of the house where there was a small garden with lots of shade and beautiful flower bushes. Her bare feet moved over the grass and her short sundress swayed in the wind. She was almost to the bench beneath the lemon tree when she felt someone grab her elbow and pull her back.

Startled, Daisy whirled around and collided with Luca's tall figure. She looked up and felt her heart crumble with mixed emotions as his green eyes sighed with relief. Before she could process his presence, he grabbed her face and covered her mouth with his.

Daisy's eyes remained wide open. She felt Luca's warm lips on her and his hand move farther into her hair. He pulled her body closer as his arm wrapped around her waist and his body relaxed.

Something inside of Daisy snapped and she felt her eyes water. Her chest began to burn with pressure and her arms and legs grew numb. She felt all the energy and strength leave her body as if she did not want to be present at that moment. Her mind ran blank and she disappeared out of her head.

Luca pulled back but kept his forehead pressed to Daisy. His eyes were closed as he rubbed her cheek with his thumb and filled his injured lungs with her scent.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice heavy with worry and relief and a bunch of other emotions Daisy could not feel. She simply nodded her head and readjusted Theo on her hips.

Luca opened his eyes and leaned towards the little boy. He kissed Theo's cheek before taking him into his arms and turning back to look at Daisy.

"What did you do to your hair?" He chuckled, his eyes sparkling.

"I changed it."

"I can see that," Luca pushed his hand into her hair once more. "I like it. You look beautiful."

"Shouldn't you be at the hospital?" Daisy shifted her weight.

"Are you not happy to see me?" Luca teased. "You wouldn't come see me so I came to see you."

"Why?" Daisy asked, feeling bitterness coat her tongue.

"What?" Luca chuckled. His eyes narrowed with a playful smile on his lips. Daisy did not say anything.

The longer he stood in front of her, the more Luca began to realize something was not right. A sick twisted feeling appeared in the pit of Luca's stomach as he looked at Daisy's eyes.

She stared back at him, but her gaze pierced right through him. It left Luca feeling hollow and cold. His heart began to shiver as his throat ran dry.

"Sunshine..." Luca reached for her hand but Daisy immediately pulled back.

"I was taking Theo to the pool," she said, taking the baby out of Luca's arm and walking away.



Oh boy...How will Luca react to all this?