Rocco storms out of the restaurant.
“What do you think he’s going to do?” I ask.
“He’ll agree to it.” Gabriel opens the menu, looking like he doesn’t even have any care in the world. “Rocco is loyal. He’ll do what’s right.”
“I can’t imagine giving up my daughter like that.”
“How are things with you and Emma? Imagine my surprise when I found out you let her go. After you fought so hard to keep her.” Gabriel’s tone is disapproving but I ignore it.
“Emma needed her own independence. I gave it to her. Hopefully she’ll come back to me. You did this with your own wife, if I remember correctly. So you don’t get the right to judge me.”
“Fine.” He shuts the menu and flags down a waiter. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t wait forever to get your wife back. If you truly love her, that is.”
Gabriel’s words are on my mind as I drive by the bookstore where Emma works. I see her working at the front counter, talking with the owner I convinced to give Emma the job. Emma smiles. Laughing. Actually laughing. I can’t remember ever seeing Emma truly laugh with me.
It stings my chest. This is a reminder that Emma is happier without me. I love her. I fought for her. I almost died for her.
And yet, I’m not sure she wants to come back to me now that she’s gotten her own life. I’m tempted to storm inside and take her back but that wouldn’t make either one of us happy.
So with a heavy sigh, I drive away from the bookstore, giving Emma what she wants.
Even if it’s breaking my fucking heart.
Emma
I return home to my apartment and the sense of loneliness hits me in the stomach so hard, I double over. My mother is dead. My father is dead.
And now, Leo and I are taking a break.
I love having my own freedom but I also hate how alone I feel. When I escaped from my mother, I thought all I needed was my independence but now that I’ve gotten it, I realize I also need people in my life.
I want Leo. There’s no denying how much I miss him.
Why can’t I be with him and also have my own freedom? Surely, we can talk it out. Communication as Margaret told me.
I have to try because staying in this apartment all by myself is eating at me.
Leo gave me the address to his new house so I know exactly where to go. I take the bus instead of driving the car he gave me. I like walking and I like knowing he doesn’t own every part of my life.
After a long bus drive and an even longer walk, I finally arrive at his house. With a deep breath, I knock on the door.
It feels like eternity for Leo to answer and when he does, I feel a lightness in my chest I didn’t know I needed.
“Emma?”
“I want to be with you,” I blurt out. “But I also want my freedom. I want both. I need both. What do you say to that?”
After a beat, he opens the door wider. “Come on in. Let’s talk.”
Chapter Twenty
Emma
My heart is pounding for some reason as I step foot into Leo’s new home. “It’s beautiful,” I murmur. “Somehow more beautiful than your last house.”
“I guess Matteo did me a favor then. I upgraded.” He motions for me to follow him into the large, elegant living room. We sit down on the couch together, almost like we’re strangers instead of husband and wife. “So…”
“So…”
