“Valentina, wait. We need to talk.”
I turned to face him, my expression rigid and defensive, hiding the insecurity taking over.
“I don’t think we have anything to talk about right now, Enrico.”
I carefully avoided his eyes. He sighed deeply and approached calmly, without touching me.
“Of course we do. Why are you running from this? You know as well as I do that we can’t keep going like this.”
Something tightened in my throat. I crossed my arms instinctively.
“I’m not running from anything. I just don’t want to argue in our daughter’s school parking lot.”
“Fine,” he agreed. “Then let’s go back inside and finish supporting our girl. But when we get home, this conversation is happening.”
“You don’t have the right to demand anything from me,” I shot back defensively.
His eyes narrowed.
He stepped forward. I stepped back. My back hit a concrete column.
“I don’t. But you can’t have an irrational jealousy episode and expect it not to give me hope, Valentina,” he said quietly, his face dangerously close.
“I did not have a jealousy episode,” I growled, the lie obvious even to myself.
His lips curved into a knowing half-smile.
“Of course not, wife.” He stepped back, returning my personal space. “Let’s go.”
He extended his hand and laced his fingers with mine.
“And this time, do us both a favor,” he leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Don’t leave my side.”
“You’re unbearable,” I snapped, trying to pull my hand away. He didn’t let go.
“And you’re beautiful,” he replied instantly. “Even more so when you’re jealous. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve told you that.”
I opened my mouth to deny it again — but I couldn’t. Not with the intensity of his gaze freezing me in place.
He tugged my arm gently and I forced myself to walk, staying silent, not trusting my voice not to betray me.
The rest of Clara’s school event passed in a blur. Enrico kept his word, staying by my side the entire time, his fingers never releasing mine.
His presence was unsettling. His scent intoxicating. His gaze made my body burn, and the awareness of the image we were projecting made me uneasy.
When we finally got into the car to go home, I nearly knelt to thank God. Clara fell asleep within five minutes, leaving Enrico and me alone in a tense silence that throbbed in my ears along with my heartbeat.
Enrico carried Clara to her room as soon as we arrived. I went straight to the kitchen for a glass of water, my throat suddenly dry.
I didn’t have to wait long to feel him behind me.
I turned to face him, my heart racing at his closeness. His eyes gleamed with something dangerously close to victory, a satisfied, almost arrogant expression on his face — which only fueled my irritation.
“What?” I snapped.
He advanced, lips curled into a provocative smile as he trapped me against the kitchen counter.
“Are you angry because I noticed your jealousy… or because you realized you feel jealous of me, Valentina?”
