"I may not be good at expressing my feelings, Tori," he says, voice low and intense. "But I promise you this: I will always protect you, always care for you, and I will do my best to be worthy of your love."
Tears prick at my eyes at the sincerity in his words. "That's all I ask."
As Cesare leans down to capture my lips in another passionate kiss, I feel a sense of rightness settle over me. This isn't the life I expected when I first married him, but I wouldn't change it for anything.
The next morning, I wake to find Cesare already gone, probably dealing with business. But there's a note on his pillow that makes me smile:
Good morning, beautiful. I had to leave early for meetings but couldn't resist watching you sleep for a while. You're even more gorgeous when you're dreaming. See you tonight. - C
I hold the note to my chest, feeling ridiculously happy about such a simple gesture. Six months ago, if someone had told me I'd be swooning over a note from Cesare Mariano, I'd have laughed in their face.
Now? I'm completely fucking gone for this man.
There's a soft knock at the door. "Come in," I call out, expecting Maria with breakfast.
Instead, Elisabetta peeks her head in, looking nervous. "Can I... can I talk to you?"
"Of course," I say, sitting up and patting the bed beside me. "What's on your mind?"
She comes in and sits carefully on the edge of the bed, hands twisting in her lap. "I wanted to thank you again. For what you said to Dad about delaying the marriages."
"You don't need to thank me, Elisabetta. I meant what I said, we're family now."
She nods, then takes a deep breath like she's gathering courage. "Can I ask you something? About the arranged marriage thing?"
"Anything."
"Were you... were you scared? When you married Dad?"
I consider how to answer honestly without frightening her more. "Terrified," I admit. "I didn't know your father at all, didn't know what to expect. I felt like I was walking into the unknown."
Elisabetta's eyes fill with tears. "That's exactly how I feel now."
I reach out, taking her hand. "But you know what? It turned out better than I ever imagined. Your father is a good man, Elisabetta. And the man you marry, if we can delay things like we talked about, you'll have time to get to know him first."
"You really think Dad will be able to convince them?"
"I think your father will move mountains for his children," I say firmly. "He loves all of you fiercely."
Elisabetta nods, some tension leaving her shoulders. "Thank you, Vittoria. For understanding. For caring."
As she gets up to leave, she pauses at the door. "I'm glad Dad married you," she says quietly. "I didn't think I'd ever say that, but... I am."
After she leaves, I sit back against the pillows, feeling like my heart might burst. This family that I was forced into is becoming something I never expected.
Something I'm actually grateful for.
My phone buzzes with a text from Cesare:How would you feel about dinner tonight? Just the two of us. I have something I want to discuss.
I smile as I type back:I'd love that. Should I be worried about this discussion?
Never with me, caramia. You're safe with me always.
As I put my phone down, I realize how true that is. For the first time in my life, I feel completely safe. Protected. Loved.
And I'm falling harder for my husband every single day.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
