She wanted to say more—wanted to comfort him or offer reassurance—but she couldn't find the words. Instead, she held her emotions in check and offered a simple farewell. "Thank you."
Luca's eyes glistened with tears, and they welled up at the corners, his voice barely a whisper. "No, thank you, my lady."
Eileen quickly handed him her handkerchief, which he accepted gratefully, dabbing at his eyes like a child. She wanted to stay by his side until the tears subsided, but the weight of the gazes around them was too much. The watchful crowd, the curious onlookers, were too many.
With a heavy heart, Eileen turned away, walking back to Cesare. He waited for her with a calm smile, his presence offering a comforting contrast to the emotional storm she had just weathered. Without a word, he naturally took her hand in his as she approached.
