A ghost.
Is that what Isotta has become? Just a memory I’m using to justify my fear? Something that haunts me?
Fuck.
“I don’t want to replace her,” I say. My voice sounds rough even to my own ears. “Isotta. I don’t want Ben to think I’m replacing her mother.”
“You’re not replacing anyone,” Gideon says. “You’re moving forward. There’s a difference.”
“Is there?”
“Yes. Replacing means erasing. Moving forward means carrying her with you while making space for something new.”
I want to believe him. Want to believe it’s possible to want Jess without betraying Isotta. To build something with a woman who’s not my late wife and still honor the mother of my child.
But the guilt is a hand around my throat and I don’t know how to breathe through it.
The funny thing is, I barely feel the guilt when I’m around Jess. When she’s near, all I can think about is her. But whenever she’s away,or I’m at work, that guilt keeps coming back, prodding around the edges. Distracting me from my dirty thoughts, which are already distracting me from my work.
“Thank you,” I finally manage. “For the honesty.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Gideon stands. Extends a hand. “You’re about to do the hard part. Which is actually making a decision instead of white-knuckling your way through avoidance.”
Am I?
But I shake his hand anyway. His grip is firm. Final.
He walks me to the door. Valentina is waiting in the hallway, tablet in hand, next to Jag. Ready to escort me out.
“Marco,” Gideon calls.
I turn back.
“Your wife would want you to be happy. Don’t let guilt convince you otherwise.”
Easier said than done.
The door closes behind me.
I stand in the hallway for a full minute trying to remember how to move.
Valentina clears her throat. “Mr. Fiore? Your next appointment is in twenty minutes.”
Right. Work. Restaurants. The life I built on precision and control and never fucking up because mistakes cost everything.
Except I’ve already fucked up.
With Jess.
With Ethan.
With the boundaries I swore I’d maintain.
And the worst part? I’d do it again.
I’d cross every line. Break every rule. Violate every clause in that contract if it meant keeping her close.
Which means Gideon is right.
