It was strange to find them here, still alive, with their shared bits of past that suddenly counted for nothing.

All Mattia saw was a shadow moving toward him. He instinctively closed his eyes and then felt Alice’s hot mouth on his, her tears on his cheek, or maybe they weren’t hers, and finally her hands, so light, holding his head still and catching all his thoughts and imprisoning them there, in the space that no longer existed between them.

It was strange to find them here, still alive, with their shared bits of past that suddenly counted for nothing.

You can fall ill with just a memory.

You'll get used to it. In the end you won't even notice it anymore," he said. "How is that possible? It will always be there, right before my eyes." "Exactly," said Mattia. "Which is precisely why you won't see it anymore.

[Their love] had burned itself out, like a forgotten candle in an empty room, leaving behind a ravenous discontent.

She found herself thinking of how it would feel to be safely trapped in his arms, with no more possibility to choose.