Willing To Try

ARYA’S POV The sound of birds chirping and flowers swaying in the gentle breeze was soothing to listen to. Even the sunlight filtering through the trees and the smell of pastries lingering in the air… everything should have been calming. But all I could hear was screaming. "You betrayed me!" The rapid fire of gunshots and the crash of glass. I could hear Matteo's voice all over again. His nails digging into my neck as he squeezed life out of me. Dammit! It was two months already now and yet, I still couldn't let go of the ghosts of the past. I blinked, trying to focus on the present. Rosa, the nanny, was sitting on the blanket with Dante. He was cooing at her, his little hands reaching for the rattle she held. My lips curled into a smile. Dante was looking healthier than he had ever been and happier too. But the screaming wouldn't stop. I pressed my palms against my ears, trying to block it out, but it was inside my head. Marco's hands were around my throat again and I was reachin