CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Liana
I'm whole.
Not in the way I was before. I'll never be that person again.
But I'm whole in a new way. A stronger way.
Luca and I made love last night. And it was beautiful.
I didn't think I'd ever be able to do that again. To let someone touch me like that without fear.
But with him, it was different.
He was so gentle. So patient. So loving.
And I felt safe. Cherished. Loved.
I'm not naive enough to think the nightmares are gone forever. Or that I won't have bad days.
But I know now that I can get through them.
Because I'm not alone.
I have Luca. I have Ginny. I have this family that's taken me in and made me one of their own.
I'm not a victim anymore.
I'm a survivor.
And I'm going to live my life. Fully. Completely.
Starting now.