Life isn’t black and white.
It’s people trying to survive. Trying to love. Trying to hold onto the pieces of themselves that still feel human despite the darkness clawing at them.
Maybe loving someone like Matteo Vitale doesn’t mean excusing the darkness.
Maybe it means standing beside him and helping him find his way out of it.
Or maybe I’m already too far gone to tell the difference anymore.
And Leo, gosh, that kid just complicates everything even more.
Neither Matteo nor Leo have been at home all day. For a homeschooled kid, Leonardo certainly goes out for a lot of private lessons. I think Matteo’s just paranoid about his safety.
He’ll keep his son in the house whenever he has free time, but he won’t invite tutors over lest he compromise overall security. It’s a pattern that works right now, but it won’t work forever. Leo should be around other children his own age.
Making a decision to leave after a couple hours of restlessness, I get dressed and head out the front door. Allesandro and my guards are there to stop me.
“I’m not running away,” I clarify, amused at the deep frustration in the cracks of Boulder’s face. “I was hoping you would take me somewhere, actually.”
“And have you informed Mr. Vitale of this?” Allesandro questions, always on top of all that goes on in the household.
I grit my teeth, annoyed at being questioned about my movements like a child. But I understand the need for safety, so I grab my phone from the pocket of my dress and text their boss.
Me: Call off your dogs, Matteo. I need out.
His reply is almost instantaneous.
Matteo: Out to where, sweetheart?
Me: I thought I’d go see Valentina.
I’m sure he won’t be opposed to the idea, considering he’s been advocating for me to get in touch with my best friend.
Matteo: I’ll let them know. You can take any car you want in the garage. But stick to your guards at all times and don’t do anything reckless.
A smile slides across my face as I read the text. I don’t send anything in reply, tucking my phone back into my pocket before looking at the guards. Allesandro soon gets a text that must confirm Matteo’s instructions.
Ten minutes later, I’m in the back seat of a Mercedes, air whipping past my face as I’m driven toward my best friend’s house. I can’t help but feel a little nervous.
I haven’t really spoken to Valentina since I was a bitch to her when she came to see me. I did see her when the babies were born, but that was brief. Before that, I was so awful to her. I lashed out and I pushed her away.
When I step through the doors of the Vitale estate, however, my best friend makes it clear I had no reason to worry. She squeals before moving to throw her arms around me, her eyes bright and beautiful.
“I’m so excited to see you, Lin,” she says into my shoulder.
I hold on to her as well, relishing in her warmth. “So I guess it’s safe to say you don’t hate me?”
“Oh, hush. Like I could ever hate the girl who knows my deepest, darkest secrets and would bury the evidence. I may have baby brain, but I’m no fool. You and I have been through too much together for me to hold a grudge,” she assures me, pulling me toward a couch so we can sit down.
She’s literally buzzing with excitement, and it’s infectious.
“I missed you so much, Val.”
“Missed you too, Lin. Now, I have so many things to say to you and I don’t know where to start,” she murmurs. “Okay, first,how’s your dad? It’s been hard blaming him for things going wrong in the city with him on a hospital bed.”
My lips twitch. “Actually, he’s back in his own bed. Recuperating.”
“That’s good,” Valentina says. “I’m glad he’s safe.”
