The ties that bind

CHAPTER 26: THE WAR FOR TITLE

Serena looked between them.

Alessandro and Raffaele stared at her like their lives depended on it.

Serena sighed. "You two... are exhausting."

Raffaele opened his mouth—

Serena patted his arm. "And that's exactly why I'm going with Matteo."

Matteo grinned like the devil.

Alessandro and Raffaele looked personally victimized.

Matteo threw his arm around Serena and dragged her out the door.

"And that's how you win. Take notes, boys."

And with that—he slammed the door behind them.

Behind it—

Silence.

Then—

Raffaele turned to Alessandro. "We should've fought harder."

The moment they stepped outside, Matteo inhaled deeply.

"Ah, do you smell that?" he asked dramatically.

Serena raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Matteo smirked. "The scent of pure, uncontested victory."

Serena rolled her eyes. "You're literally unbearable."

Matteo threw an arm around her again, grinning. "And yet, here you are, walking with me."

They walked for a while, talking, reminiscing, teasing each other.

Matteo took out chocolate from his pocket and presented it before Serena

Serena blinked down at it. "Bribery?"

Matteo took a dramatic bow. "A token of love."

Serena shook her head, but she was smiling.

For the first time in years, she wasn't tense.

For the first time in years, she felt like she could just... be.

And that feeling? Was everything.

By the time they reached the house, the door flew open before they even knocked.

Alessandro and Raffaele stood there, waiting like desperate parents.

Alessandro gasped. "SHE RETURNS."

Raffaele clutched his chest. "MATTEO, YOU TYRANT. YOU STOLE HER FROM US FOR YEARS."

Matteo smirked, shoving past them. "Cry about it."

Serena wheeze-laughed.

Alessandro placed a dramatic hand on his forehead. "She's changed. The girl we once knew—gone."

Raffaele nodded. "Brainwashed by Matteo's propaganda."

Serena shoved them both. "Oh my god, shut up."

She collapsed onto the couch, exhausted.

Raffaele and Alessandro sat beside her immediately.

"Alright," Alessandro grinned. "You missed absolute CHAOS."

Serena perked up. "Tell me everything."

Raffaele smirked. "Guess who almost set the kitchen on fire?"

Serena's eyes widened. "No."

Alessandro nodded. "Yes."

Raffaele smirked. "Marco."