"What do you mean?" I ask immediately, assuring her nothing will happen to her. "I just want the truth."
"Signora Lucia's been a little…" she says, looking around before lowering her head to whisper to me.
I listen with a heavy heart as she recounts all the instances she'd witnessed of my mother bullying and ridiculing Allegra on purpose. Slowly, a picture paints itself in my mind, and it's not pretty.
I thank Ana for her sincerity and leave the house.
"Fuck!" I hit my fist against the steering wheel. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
What did I do to her?
It's no wonder she wanted her own place. She's been living in hell.
And I just… let it happen.
I get my blood drawn, and my contact lets me know it will be some time before the results are available, but he will get back to me as soon as he has them.
"From what you told me, though, it's pretty clear someonediddrug you," he mentions as I leave. "Now it's only a matter of finding out what drugs were used."
His hypothesis confirms what I already suspected, so as I head back home, my only thought is how to face Allegra.
Wanting to get everything out of the way, I decide on a direct confrontation.
Knocking on her door, I open it to find her at her vanity, combing her slightly damp hair.
Stepping behind her, I take the comb from her hands andthread it through her hair. She watches me intently through the mirror as I finally work up the courage to speak.
"I liked your hair better before," is the first thing that flies out of my mouth, and I almost groan at my choice of words.
"Your mother was right. I needed a change," she replies, her face betraying no emotion.
My eyes covertly assess her body, looking for any signs that I might have been too rough with her.
Fuck! If only I could remember…
"You shouldneverlisten to my mother," I say, and her eyes narrow. "You're still beautiful," I quickly amend, not wanting her to think I'm criticizing her looks.
Her hand covers mine on the comb, and she stops me, turning around so she can look me in the eye.
"You don't have to lie to me, Enzo. That's one thing you should never do." Her fingers brush over mine as she withdraws her hand, but I quickly catch it, stooping to my knees in front of her. I take both of her hands in mine and bring them to my lips.
"You're beautiful to me, Allegra," I tell her sincerely.The most beautiful."Don't ever doubt that."
She scoffs, an ironic smile playing on her features.
"Is this the guilt talking? For what you did?" She tilts her head to the side, an eyebrow raised as she studies me. "Don't bother. I'll forgive you if you never spout such lies to me again."
My eyes widen slightly as she casually mentions last night as if it were nothing, her features emotionless.
God… she must really hate me.
Before I can respond, she shakes off my hold and stands up, going to her wardrobe.
"It's late. You probably have somewhere to be, right?" she asks without looking back at me, her attention focused on the clothes before her.
I recognize I'm being dismissed. But the fact that her voice isso bleak… I shake my head. I would have preferred it if she fought me. If she had slapped or cursed me. But this?
"As you wish," I reply, exiting the room and leaving her alone.
