People took what they wanted, they clutched at coincidences, the few there were, and made a life from them. . . . Choices are made in brief seconds and paid for in the time that remains.

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

She tried to open the bottle, but the top slipped through her fingers without moving. He took the bottle from her hand and opened it with his thumb and index finger. There was nothing special in the gesture and yet she found it strangely fascinating like a small heroic feat performed specially for her.

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.

In the end it happens, in some way you couldn't imagine before.

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.