The love of those we don't love in return settles on the surface and from there quickly evaporates.

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

Mattia's voice no longer stirred anything in his stomach, but he was aware of the idea of him and always would be, as the only true benchmark for everything that had come afterward.

...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.

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

The love of those we don't love in return settles on the surface and from there quickly evaporates.

Why did you choose to stay here?" (...) "I don't know," he said. "It's as if there's more oxygen here.