The next few days passed in a rhythm that was almost comforting. Matteo continued to work side by side with the vineyard staff, earning cautious respect from even the most skeptical workers. Bianca found herself torn between admiration and wariness, her heart softening even as her mind reminded her of the risks.

One evening, as the vineyard rested under a blanket of stars, Bianca sat in the library, poring over old ledgers and contracts. The villa was quiet, save for the soft crackle of the fire in the hearth. She was deep in thought when the sound of footsteps broke her concentration. She looked up to find Matteo standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

“Working late again?” he asked, stepping into the room.

“There’s always more to do,” she replied, gesturing to the pile of papers. “What about you? I thought you’d call it a night by now.”

He shrugged, taking a seat across from her. “Couldn’t sleep. Too much on my mind.”

Bianca arched a brow. “Anything you care to share?”

Matteo hesitated, his gaze flicking to the fire. “I’ve been thinking about the past,” he said finally. “About the choices I made, the people I trusted. And about how much I lost when I left.”

The raw honesty in his voice caught her off guard. She set down her pen, folding her hands on the desk. “You’ve never told me the full story, Matteo. Not really.”

He looked at her, his hazel eyes shadowed with regret. “I was young and ambitious. I wanted more than what Sicily could offer me, so I left to make my mark in New York. At first, it seemed like I’d found everything I was looking for. But the people I got involved with… like I told you, they weren't the kind of people you walk away from easily.”

“The ones you mentioned before,” she said quietly.

He nodded. “I thought I could outsmart them, build something legitimate while keeping them at arm’s length. But it doesn’t work that way. When I realized how deep I was in, I had to make a choice: stay and risk everything, or disappear.”

Bianca’s throat tightened. “And you chose to disappear.”

“I thought I was protecting you,” he said, his voice laced with regret. “But I see now that I only hurt you more.”

The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken pain and lingering questions. Bianca searched his face, trying to reconcile the man before her with the boy she had once loved.

“Why come back now?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“Because I’m done running,” he said firmly. “I’ve spent years trying to fix what I broke, but none of it mattered without you. I want to be part of your life again, Bianca. If you’ll let me.”

Her heart ached at his words, but the scars of his absence were not so easily healed. “It’s not that simple, Matteo. You can’t just walk back into my life and expect everything to fall into place.”

“I know,” he said softly. “But I told you, I’m willing to earn it. Whatever it takes.”

Bianca looked away, her gaze falling on the ledger in front of her. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions: anger, sadness, hope. She wanted to believe him, but trust was not something she could give freely.

“We’ll see,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Matteo nodded, his expression resolute. “That’s all I ask.”

The next morning, the sun broke through the lingering clouds, casting the vineyard in a warm, golden light. Bianca stood at the edge of the fields, watching as the workers began their day. Matteo was among them, his shirt sleeves rolled up as he loaded crates of grapes onto a cart. He moved with purpose, his presence commanding yet unassuming.

Antonio appeared beside her, his expression thoughtful. “He’s surprising me,” he admitted. “I didn’t think he’d last more than a day out here.”

Bianca glanced at him, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Neither did I.”

They stood in silence for a moment, watching as Matteo laughed at something one of the workers said. He looked genuinely happy, a sight that stirred something deep within her.

“Do you think people can change?” she asked quietly.

Antonio shrugged. “Maybe. But it’s not about what I think, Signora. It’s about what you believe.”

Bianca nodded, her gaze never leaving Matteo. The shadows of the past still lingered, but for the first time, she wondered if they could be overcome. If there was a chance to build something new amidst the ruins.

“Maybe,” she said softly, the word carrying with it a fragile hope.

As the morning unfolded, Bianca couldn’t help but feel that the vineyard—and her heart—might be on the verge of a new season.