“You were everything I ever wanted.” My voice wavers. “I’ve never loved anyone the way I loved you. And I never will.”
I breathe through the pain in my chest.
“You gave me the most beautiful family I could’ve ever dreamed of. You are the best mother I could’ve ever wanted for our kids. I was happy with you. My ego... my pride and selfishness… that’s what’s going to make me regret losing you for the rest of my life.”
Ceci looks away. And when she finally meets my eyes again: “I don’t wish anything bad for you, Colin. I truly hope you findpeace in the choices you made. And I hope this clarity you carry now... isn’t temporary. I hope it lasts.”
She hesitates before adding, “Ethan told me what happened at the beginning of last month. I believe, in time, he’ll find his way back. Don’t disappoint him again. Don’t disappoint either of our kids.”
“I won’t,” I say, my voice thick with grief.
She nods.
For a moment... I almost reach for her. Almost pull her into me, letting memory take over. But I turn away and leave without a word.
I drive on autopilot. Red means stop. Green means go. I turn onto the right street without thinking. And when I finally reach my penthouse... everything hits me.
I collapse beside the console table, the frame clutched in my hands.
Alicia’s ninth birthday. The four of us... laughing, happy.
And through broken sobs, I whisper, “I will do better. I will be better. For you. For all of you.”
Alexander
I’m just stepping out of the shower when my phone starts ringing on the nightstand. I wrap a towel around my waist and cross the bedroom in long strides.
I answer the video call with a smile already pulling at my mouth—but before I can even speak, she does.
“Do you always answer your phone like that?”
I chuckle under my breath at her tone.
“Jealous, Cecilia?”
“Maybe.” She narrows her eyes, fighting a smile. “Or maybe I just don’t think that’s appropriate behavior on your part.”
“I only answer like this when it’s you,” I say easily, then I soften my voice. “Ciao, tesoro. I missed you yesterday.”
“I know... I’m sorry. I had to pick Alicia up from her friend’s house, and by the time I got home it was later than I expected. And when you called again, I was already asleep.”
“It’s okay.”
It isn’t. Dubai is dragging on longer than planned. I was supposed to be back in Pisa tomorrow, now it looks like I’ll be here a few days more.
“Tell me about your day,” I say.
“Oh—your sister came by earlier.” Her face brightens. “I invited her to stay for dinner, but she said she already had plans with a special friend.”
I chuckle. Aurélie code for a new infatuation.
“Did she finally bring you the canvas?”
Cecilia stands and takes a few steps so I can see the framed canvas behind her.
“I put it in my bedroom.”
Then she turns the phone, and I catch a glimpse of her bed in the background.
