Relief.
“Gianna,” Zayn says dryly, nudging my chin up so that I’m looking into his dark eyes. They stare back at me with too much knowing. “I’m not Daniel. You never have worry about me being with anyone else. Since you came back into my life, no other woman exists for me. There will only ever be you.”
I swallow down the emotion clogging my throat, knowing I won’t ever doubt him again.
“Just us? Always and forever?”
His smile touches his eyes and flashes his dimples, andthe sight is something I will never get over. I can’t believe this beautiful man is all mine.
“Always and forever.”
“I can’t believe it!”Mum wails from across her dining room table a few hours later. She clutches Dad’s arm for support while he watches me with deepening frown lines between his eyes. “We had no idea! None! I can’t believe this!”
I shuffle in my seat and cross one ankle over the other, staring down at my interlaced fingers that rest on the table. “Daniel was always careful how he behaved in front of you all. And for me, well, his behaviour just became normal. I knew the level of control he had over me wasn’t right, but I just thought that’s how our relationship was and I… accepted it.”
“Well it certainly explains a lot,” Dad says, his eyes still scrutinising me, although not unkindly. “You gave up everything you had going for you once you got married. Then you changed so much after you left him. You became a much happier, relaxed version of yourself. I’m angry we didn’t see it. Then and now.”
My head snaps up to find guilt etched into his heavy features. “It’s fine, Dad. Don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s my fault I let it get so far.”
“But why didn’t you tell us!” Mum cries again, now clutching at her chest. “All this time I’ve been hoping you’d get back together with that, that, thatpsicopatico!” She spits. “I called and asked him if he was coming to the gala!” The colour drains from her face. “Is that why he came to your apartment last night? BecauseItold him where you were?”
“No, Ma. Dumbass of the year award goes to Tony over here.” I nod my head towards Tony, who’s been unusually quiet at the end of the table while I spilled my whole sorry tale. Lia sits between us, her hand a constant reassurance on my back for the last half hour.
Tony looks contrite, and for the first time in my life, he doesn’t open his mouth with a smart-arse comment.
“I’m sorry, Gia. I was just so mad. I didn’t even think about how it would effect you if I called him. I didn’t think him capable of what he did last night.”
I let out a long-suffering sigh. Of course Tony didn’t know what Daniel was truly capable of because I hid the worst from my family for years. Theystilldon’t know Daniel sexually assaulted me, and hopefully they never will.
“I know, Tone.” I reach out and give him a pat on the hand, which he flips and grabs for a reassuring squeeze. “Just promise me you’ll all stay out of my business from here on out.” I glare at my brother and my mum, who both nod, Mum with a sniffle.
“I’ll make sure of it, Gia.” Lia says solemnly, throwing her husband a withering glare.
“So, this Zayn fellow,” Mum says as she collects herself. “You say you’ve known him since high school?”
“Yes,” I say, drawing the word out slowly. The promise of not interfering in my personal business has not yet grown cold between us, yet Mum still launches into another question.
“What is going on between you two?”
“That’s for him and I to figure out, and for you not to worry about,” I say with a pointed glare. Tony chuckles as it goes straight over her head. Thankfully, Lia kicks him under the table which both saves me from doing it and shuts him up.
“Well do I set a place for him at family lunch? I need to know these things, Gianna!” Mum’s voice rises as I stand from the table. “Where are you going? The lasagna is ready!Merde, it’s probably overcooked by now!”
The doorbell rings right on time. Zayn went to give his statement at the station while I had the long overdue chat with my family.
“Set him a place.”
I head down the hallway, my heart fluttering at the thought of what waits beyond the front door. I might not know exactly what the future looks like for us, but I know one thing for sure.
He’s my love, my heart, my future.
Him, always.
Zayn.
EPILOGUE
Ifinish dicing celery and add it to the saucepan where onion, carrot and garlic are already sautéeing away nicely. I give it a gentle stir and throw in a decent pinch of salt, then turn back to the bench, sweeping my gaze past the island bench and over the vast dining and living space of Zayn’s penthouse.
