Alessandro may believe he's solved the problem.
But they've made one critical mistake.
They've left me alive.
And for Valentina and our child, I will tear apart heaven and earth to find my way back to them.
29
VALENTINA
I’m dying inside.
God, what Cristian has had to endure, and for what?
For protecting me? For loving me?
He’s forced to lose everything, nearly his life.
"Alessandro, I need a moment with him. To say goodbye."
My brother scoffs. "Are you insane? The two of you have already risked everything with your indiscretion. I can't allow?—"
“You’re the fucking Don! You can allow whatever you want!” I’ve never spoken to anyone like that. I don’t think I’ve ever used the F-word before. But I’m sick of this. Sick of his enforcing his power and then acting like he has none when it comes to this family.
At first his eyes widen, and then they narrow as he scowls. “You’ve put this family in a precarious situation.”
"What more do you want from me? I'm marrying to save this family. I'm giving up any hope of happiness. I'm…" I begin to press my hand tomy stomach but catch myself before revealing too much. If Alessandro knew, he might kill Cristian regardless of my pleas.
Instead, I take a steadying breath. "Do you understand what my life will be like with Maksim? The things he'll do to me? The ways he'll hurt me? Rape me. Beat me." Maybe if I’m explicit, he’ll understand.
Alessandro's face hardens, but I see a flicker of something in his eyes. Guilt, I hope.
"I'm not asking for much. I’d rather you give it out of your love for me, assuming you still have a heart. Because if I have to threaten to sabotage this wedding, I will.” I step toward him, wanting my brother, not my Don. “Just a few minutes to say goodbye to someone I…" I falter, afraid to speak the word "love" in front of my brother. "Someone who matters to me. You're taking everything else. Give me this small mercy."
The silence stretches between us, and I can’t breathe as I wait.
"Ten minutes," he finally says. "In the cottage. It’s empty and private enough that no one should see you," he says of the house on the property that Katerina used to live in.
His eyes narrow. "But Valentina, this is the last concession I'm making. After this, you commit fully to your role as Maksim's bride. No more rebellion. No more schemes."
I nod, relief washing through me. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me," he mutters, turning away. "Just be discreet."
I slip from his office, pulling my phone out to text Cristian to meet me at the cottage, but to be stealthy about it.
I make my way there, realizing this is the last time I'll ever see Cristian.
I enter the small residence still furnished from when Katerina and Enzo lived here.
Now they’re with Luca living happily ever after.
I’m jealous of them all.
Resentful of this life I was born into.
And filled with self-loathing that I’m not brave enough to go after the man I love.