**Elena’s POV**

I was finally leaving the hospital. As soon as the doctor removed the last tube from my chest and said I was cleared to go, I felt like a bird finally being released from a cage.

Stefano was everywhere, moving around the room and packing my bags with a focus I had never seen before. He folded my clothes perfectly and double-checked my medicine bottles. He made sure I had my shawl, my books, and everything else. It was like he was preparing for a long journey instead of just a ...