But as I step away from him, my body still humming from his touch, I know it's a lie.
Everything has changed.
The walls I've built, the life I've created for Enzo and myself are at risk because Luca has already begun to tear it all down.
And the most terrifying part is that some hidden piece of me wants him to succeed.
“It changes everything.”
"I need to check on Enzo," I mutter, desperate for any excuse.
"Katerina." The way he says my name still melts something inside me. I remember how he used to whisper it against my skin in the darkness of his room.
How he'd promise me forever with those same lips that are now swollen from our kisses.
The same lips that went silent for seven years.
"I waited for you," I admit, the words escaping before I can stop them. "For months, I checked my phone constantly. I made excuses for you. That you were in danger, that you couldn't reach me, that you'd come back."
His face contorts with pain. "I wanted to contact you. You have to believe?—"
"But you didn't," I cut him off, working to gather the strength to fight against my heart to protect it and Enzo. "And now you’re here, but for how long? Until the next time you decide to disappear?" I can't do this again. I can't survive being left by him twice.
"It won't be like that, I promise?—”
"Your promises don’t mean anything, Luca. And you certainly don't get to make promises to my son until I know you can keep them."
“They’ve poised you against?—”
"I have to go.” I turn toward the door.
His hand reaches for me. "Don't run from this."
I dodge his grasp. "Stay away from me. And stay away from Enzo until I figure out how to handle this."
I flee the study, not caring who might see my disheveled state.
The tears I've been holding back burn behind my eyes as I hurry through the hallway.
I may still want him, but I'll die before I let him break me again.
I slip into the kitchen where Maria, the cook who's watched Enzo countless times, looks up from where she's helping him decorate cookies shaped like stars.
"There you are, Miss Petrov," Maria says, her eyes narrowing slightly at what must be my flushed appearance. "The little one's been quite the helper."
Enzo's flour-dusted face brightens when he sees me. "Mama! Look what I made." He holds up a cookie slathered in blue frosting. "It's for you."
The simple innocence of his gesture makes my chest ache. "It's beautiful, sweetheart. Are you ready to go home now?"
His small brows furrow. "Already? But the party's still happening."
"I think we've paid our respects enough for today." I run my fingers through his dark hair, noting for the thousandth time how much it resembles Luca's.
I thank Maria and usher Enzo toward the back door, avoiding the main hallways where I might encounter Luca again. My skin still burns where he touched me, reminding me of my weakness.
The short walk to our cottage on the edge of the estate grounds gives me time to pull myself together, to try and push Luca away so I can focus on my greatest role, being a mom.
"Mama, are you sad because Don Lorenzo died?" Enzo asks as we reach our door.
