Anneka surprised me with a trip to the coast. We drove down to Sabaudia this morning. To the same beach where I went with her friends weeks ago, when Mario was an active threat in my mind.
The difference is striking. This time I'm not hypervigilant. I'm not looking over my shoulder. I'm just... present.
We found a quiet stretch of beach away from the tourists. Spent the day swimming and reading and not talking much. Sometimes you don't need to talk.
In the evening we checked into a small hotel. She had reserved a room with a view of the water. When we walked in, there was champagne and chocolate waiting.
She's so thoughtful. So intentionally kind in ways that make me wonder what I did to deserve her.
We made love slowly, without urgency. Like we had all the time in the world. Like nothing else mattered except being in this moment together.
Afterward, lying in bed with her hand on my stomach, I realized something: I'm happy. Genuinely, deeply happy.
For five years I've been fighting just to survive. And now I'm actually living.
It's beautiful.
Comments
This is everything, Simona. Hold onto this.
Safe, consensual intimacy + genuine emotional connection = trauma recovery in action. This is beautiful.
Bellissima, Simona. You found your person.
I'm so happy for you both. This is what love should look like.
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