“And you want to know what’s worse?” I take a step toward him, fury flushing hot beneath my skin. “You had me first. You were the one who walked away. You were the one who said no.” My voice breaks. “You refused to even try. You pushed me away because you were too much of a coward to open your damn heart.”
The word lands between us.Coward.He goes absolutely still.
“You gave me up,” I continue, voice trembling but steadying with each word. “Not because you didn’t feel anything—but because you did. And you were scared of it. Scared of me. Scared of us.”
His breath hitches, barely audible.
“And now…” I whisper. “After breaking me, after letting me believe I meant nothing, you decide you want me? Now you want a second chance?”
Pain flickers across his face, fast but unmistakable.
“I have always wanted you,” he says quietly.
“That’s the problem.” I laugh bitterly. “You wanted me, but you still let me go. And now you’re doing it all over again. Decidingforme. Taking away my choices because you’re terrified of what it means to let me have them.”
He steps forward, then stops himself with a violence that shakes through his whole body. His restraint is its own kind of confession.
“Mara,” he says quietly. “Tell me what you want from me.”
I swallow hard. Anger is easier. But honesty? Honesty burns.
“I want my life back. And I want you to stop making decisions for me like my feelings don’t matter.”
He nods slowly, like each inch of movement costs him something. “I hear you.”
I move toward the door. My heart is hammering, my vision stinging, but my voice doesn’t waver.
“And Nicolo?”
He lifts his head sharply. Always responsive to his name coming from my mouth. Always.
“If you ever want me to forgive you…” I pause, breathing through the ache. “You’re going to have to give me back the choice you stole.”
Then I walk out. The door closes behind me, and I don’t look back. Because if I do…I’m afraid I won’t leave at all.
51
NICOLO
The door clicks shut behind her, the soft smell of her perfume lingering in the room. Taunting me. Her last words replay in my head, blunt and final.
If you ever want me to forgive you…you’re going to have to give me back the choice you stole.
My jaw locks. For the first time in my entire existence, I…don’t know what to do. If only I had a time machine, then maybe I’d be able to shoot myself in the foot rather than make the mistake of letting her go.
This isn’t a threat I can solve. No amount of money in the world will fix this. I need toprovemyself to her.
I compose myself before walking out into the reception hall, and I instantly spot her. She’s across the hall talking with Valentina and Alessia. She’s smiling, but there’s a slight quiver at the corners of her mouth, which tells me it’s not genuine.
I move toward her, not able to help myself. People shift out of my way as I reach my new bride.
“Mara.”
But she doesn’t look at me. She’s ignoring me.
I clear my throat. “Mara.” When she ignores it again, I add, “Look at me.”
She lifts her chin, her gaze shifting to look in my direction but not directly at me. “What?”
