DAMIANO
How many times am I going to let Alessia ruin my life?
It started out well, as most of these things do.When I married her, we were deeply in love.Our families both approved the match.Our wedding was grand, with a giant feast.Everyone came to celebrate with us.Alessia was the most beautiful bride, and I, the doting groom.
Soon after, things changed.
When she divorced me, I was at my lowest.Wrongfully imprisoned, helpless to plead my case.The divorce stole my last remaining hope.
And now she is back in my life, fucking everything up once again.
“Francesco ishere,” she insists, gripping my forearm.“You must do something.”
I stare past her, at the door where Madison disappeared ten minutes ago.“I’ll ask for some guards to stand outside your apartment.That is all I will do.And Alessia—we are not married.We are divorced?—”
“I took it back.”Her light brown eyes fill with tears, which spill down her cheeks.“I take it back.I don’t want to be divorced anymore, Damiano.”
We’ve had the same conversation nearly every day since she has come to the US.I refuse to have it again.
“Goodnight, Alessia.The new guards will be outside your apartment within the hour.”I usher her toward the door and close it after her, resisting the impulse to slam it.
Now, I must handle damage control with Madison.I can only imagine what she must be thinking right now.It isn’t a good look, having another woman rush into my apartment and start yelling at me like Alessia has done.
And Madison was the one who opened the door—fuck.Fuck.They had time for a conversation.What did Alessia say to Madison?
The dread I’d been feeling transforms into full-on panic.There’s only one reason Madison would’ve left like that, without hearing me out—she thinks Alessia and I are together.She thinks that I wouldcheat.
I pull my phone from my pocket, dial Madison.No answer.Shit.
As the call goes to her voicemail, I rush out of my apartment and into the elevator.All the way down to the ground floor—I can’t seem to get there fast enough.How much time has passed?Ten minutes?Fifteen?She’s long gone by now, I’m sure of it.
Why did I waste so much time calming Alessia?How could I not realize what Madison thought of the situation?
The elevator reaches the lobby.I rush out before the doors are fully open.Wildly, I look around, searching for a head of brown hair, for her sexy black dress.
She’s nowhere in the lobby.I take long strides to reach the sidewalk outside the building.I see a couple walking down the street with their arms linked.Otherwise, nobody is around.
She probably ordered a ride and went home.That makes the most sense.I want to go to her.I could.Nothing can hold me back from her—not physically.But emotionally…would she ever forgive me if I broke past her boundaries?I don’t think she would.She has already complained about my overreaching ways.
Defeated, I go back upstairs to my penthouse.For the rest of the night, I deliberate one way, then the other.Go to Madison, or give her space.I continue to text and call, leaving her voicemails and messages with apologies, explanations.Is she reading any of them?
Alessia, for once, leaves me alone.Perhaps I frightened her off.Good.
The next morning, I begin to worry.
Madison, if you don’t respond within two hours, I will come to your house to make sure you’re safe.
There.It’s somewhat respecting her boundaries, while soothing the worried beast inside of me.
A half hour later, she texts me back.I’m fine.Don’t contact me again.
Can I accept this?I cannot.But what choice do I have?
Seth calls when I’m driving to the office on Monday.I answer through my car’s system.“Hey.”
“Did you get the paperwork for the building purchase?”
“Yeah.I already signed it and sent it back.”
