49
The drive back to Matteo’s villa as he decided I should stay with him while Mama was away was unusually quiet
Matteo’s hand rested on mine, his thumb tracing slow circles against my skin. For someone who could command a room with a single look, his silence spoke volumes. I glanced at him, his profile sharp and unreadable against the dim glow of the dashboard lights
“You’re awfully quiet,” I said, my voice softer than I intended.
He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, his hand tightened slightly around mine, as though grounding him When he finally spoke, his voice was low, almost hesitant “I’m just… thinking.”
I raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the seat. “That’s a dangerous pastime for you, Matteo
The corner of his mouth twitched, but the smile didn’t fully form. “You have a way of cutting through the noise, Aletta. It’s one of the reasons …” He trailed off, his grip on the steering wheel tightening briefly.
“One of the reasons you what?” I prompted, my tone light but curious.
Matteo sighed, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “One of the reasons I can’t stay away from you. No matter how much simpler my life would be if I did.”
My breath caught at his admission, but I kept my expression neutral. “Simpler? Are you saying I’m complicated?”
That animad man oft skuld the tanninn in his shouldara sina stiskal ar
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The Second Chart for Malatynde
That earned me a soft chuckle, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly “Complicated doesn’t even begin to
cover it. But I’ve never been one to take the easy road.”
We pulled into the driveway, the villa’s warm lights spilling out onto the cobblestone path. Matteo killed the engine but didn’t move to get out. Instead, he turned to me, his gray eyes searching mine.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you something.” he said, his voice steady but laced with vulnerability. “Something should have told you a long time ago.”
I tilted my head, studying him. “Go on. I’m listening.”
He took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving mine. “I didn’t just become the man I am because I wanted power or control. I became this because I didn’t have a choice. My family was destroyed. Corrupt, greedy men who took everything from us… And that’s your father and Lorenzo’s father.” He smirked bitterly “They left me with nothing. And
the moment I became the Emperio’s leader, I swore I’d never be powerless again.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken pain.
“Matteo…” I reached out to touch his face. He leaned into mu hon
strength from the contact
his eyes closing briefly as though drawing
“When I met you,” he continued, his voice quieter now, “I saw someone who refused to be broken, no matter how
much the world tried. Your strength. it’s what drew me to you. And it’s what keeps me here, even when I know I’m
not what you deserve.”
I felt a lump form in my throat, but I forced it down. “You’re wrong,” I said firmly “You’re exactly what I need, Matteo. You see me for who I am, not who you want me to be. That’s more than anyone else has ever done Sometimes, I felt that I was the one who didn’t deserve someone like you.”
His eyes softened, the vulnerability in them replaced by something warmer. “You have no idea how much I
needed to hear that.”
Before I could respond, he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that was both tender and filled with
unspoken promises,
Later that evening, after Matteo had left to oversee a business matter, I found myself sitting by the fireplace in the study. The warmth of the flames should have been comforting, but my mind kept drifting back to his words. He’d been through so much, carried so much on his shoulders, and yet he’d never let it define him. How could someone so guarded be so open with me?
I stared into the fire, my thoughts swirling. Trust didn’t come easily to me anymore, but Matteo… he made me
want to try.
It was before midnight when Matteo came home. I was reading some paperback when he opened the door and our eyes met.
“There’s something you should know,” Matteo said, his voice calm but weighted. “It’s about Lorenzo.”
“I’m not interested, Matteo. “I yawned
Matteo chuckled but exhaled deeply, his hand brushing his hair back. “Lorenzo’s spiraling, Aletta. I’ve had some… sources watching him. For your safety,” he added quickly, as if anticipating my question. “I thought it ve necessary after the vineyard stunt.”
“And what exactly have your sources discovered?”
“He’s staying at a run–down hotel on the outskirts of town,” Matteo began, his tone carefully neutral. “I know he’s been drinking heavily. That’s not surprising. But earlier tonight, he called Stefania.”
My stomach tightened at the mention of her name. “Go on,” I said, bracing myself.
Matteo leaned back slightly, his gaze fixed on mine. “He told her he was done. That he finally saw through her lies. He’s cutting ties with her completely.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “He did?”
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The Second Chance for Mats Runaway Bride
“He did,” Matteo confirmed, his voice steady. “But don’t mistake that for him letting go. He’s still clinging to the
idea of winning you back. He’s convinced he just needs one more chance.”
I shook
my head, a bitter laugh escaping me. “One more chance? After everything he’s done?”
“It’s desperation,” Matteo said simply. “He knows he’s lost you, but he can’t accept it. He thinks if he can prove he’s changed, you’ll take him back”
“That’s not going to happen,” I said firmly, my voice hard. “He can spiral all he wants, but I’m not going to be his redemption arc. And sorry to him, I have you.”
Matteo’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “I didn’t think you would be. But I wanted you to know. I… didn’t want any
surprises”
I studied him for a moment, the tension in his expression, the way his fingers drummed lightly against his leg.
“Why do I feel like there’s more to this?”
Matteo hesitated, his gaze dropping briefly before meeting mine again. “Because there is. Stefania she didn’t
take the call well. She threatened him, saying he was nothing without her.”
I raised an eyebrow “And he still hung up on her?”
“He did,” Matteo said, his voice tinged with something like admiration. “For all his flaws, he’s finally standing up
to her. But don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s suddenly noble.
I smirked, crossing my arms. “Oh, trust me, I’m not. I’ve seen the man Lorenzo is. He can’t rewrite the past just because he finally decided to grow a spine.”
Matteo reached out, his fingers brushing against mine. “You’re stronger than he ever gave you credit for. Don’t
let his actions cloud that.”
I nodded, squeezing his hand. “I won’t. And actually, you don’t need to update me on anything about the two.”
He smiled softly. “Just thinking, you always deserve the truth, Damsel.”
I rolled my eyes. Chuckled. “I think I’m missing that way you used to call me before. It’s kinda giving me some
butterflies Again.”
“I love you, Damsel.”
“I love you more.”
