Emelia's POVAt that moment, I felt a shift in my own energy that I hoped wasn't going to happen on this trip. Even when Lily wasn't here, it was like I couldn't escape the clutches of her affect on me.This time alone with him was precious, and I didn't want to let go of the perfect memories we were just starting to make with each other. Even if his mention of her was innocent and probably unintentional, I didn't want to ruin this moment by bringing her up.Victor tilted his head, as if sensing something was off about me. "Is everything okay, Emelia?"I nodded my head, and smiled. "Yeah it's just…" I hesitated, wondering if I brought her up if he thought I was suddenly being weird or unreasonable. But I knew if I didn't ask, it'd just eat me alive."It seems you and Lily have a lot of history together… Have you taken her here to this restaurant, too?"Victor nodded his head. "I have, although if you want to be technical, it wasn't my doing. My dad was celebrating a business deal he h
Emelia's POVANOTHER damn secret! How much was I meant to uncover?!First, she's an unknown work colleague. Then, she suddenly has a name and it's Lily. And then she's a childhood friend?Friend! Just a friend! I scoffed at the thought.And now this? Now there's a photo of them kissing?! Immortalized in a damn café of all places?I really thought I was going to lose it. I wanted nothing more than to leap over the counter and rip the photo to shreds.The sudden jingle of the bell above the door pulled me back to my senses, and my eyes snapped to the man who walked through the door as if he didn't have a care in the world.Victor."Hey, I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long." Victor smiled.I wore a scowl on my face in disbelief of the man who stood before me. This person was no longer who felt familiar; he was nothing but a stranger. His promises and comfort he had once given me were nothing more than tools of deception.And to get to what end? I had no idea.Still, it made me
Emelia's POVVictor left almost immediately, as if he truly thought my words were me giving him permission. For someone as smart as him, it baffled me with just how foolish he could be when it came to my emotions!How was it that he couldn't see that he was being manipulated? Oh, because he didn't see it that way. How stupid of me to think that he didn't think of her as anything less than perfect…I'd tossed my luggage back onto our—well, now my—bed, even though I had planned to leave.My heart felt like it was being torn in half, and Victor wanted to do nothing about it. Hell, if anything, he was the reason why it was happening.All it took was one damn phone call for our perfect getaway to come crashing down. Once again, our relationship was pushed towards its breaking point.It made me feel like a damn idiot for thinking things were going to change. Even though he'd shown me time and time again that he was incapable of prioritizing his own wife over her.I loved Victor with everyth
Emelia's POVAt first, I couldn't find the words to respond to the man before me. To say he was incredibly handsome would be an understatement.Short, black hair was slicked back, as sharp features encased flawless skin. High cheekbones rested just under a beautiful pair of vibrant green eyes.The deep blue suit he was wearing was immaculate and free of any wrinkles. It looked expensive; very similar in style to what Victor would wear.I had to pick my jaw off the floor so I could greet him properly. "I am, but have we met? I'm sorry; I'm having a hard time recognizing you.""You have nothing to apologize for. If anything, I'm sorry. I don't mean to come off as a creep." Even his chuckle was smooth. "My name is Mason Leone; we attended the same Gala Dinner a few days ago."I met his politeness with a very strained smile. I'd wanted nothing more than to forget about that awful night and the effects it had on me emotionally and physically.Mason seemed to notice my hesitation and spoke f
Emelia's POV"I... I don't know. I love Victor so much, despite everything that's happened. He truly isn't a bad man, it's just..."The cracks that formed in my heart made it so much easier for the doubt to creep in, even though I didn't want it to. I did love Victor, but everything that's been happening with Lily made it so hard for me to just forgive and forget.Alexis sighed knowingly on the other end of the line. "You don't have to figure it all out right now. Whatever you decide to do, you know I'm always here for you.""That's why you're the best, Alexis.""Oh, I know I am." Alexis's smile could even be felt through the phone. "And if you want, you can come crash at my place for a few days. I'd hate for you to be alone in a foreign city without anyone to look out for you.""You know what? I'd love that. We haven't had a good sleep over in over a decade anyway."Her kindness and support was exactly what I needed right now. I was so tired of feeling like I was alone."Yay!" Alexis
Emelia's POVThe line went silent at my mention of divorce. Even though I'd told Alexis that I didn't even know what the best course of action was right now, like an idiot, I blurted it out anyway.It's not like I was truly considering it, but the thought lingered in my mind that maybe he had considered divorce before. After all, it was made apparent that his priorities were elsewhere."What did you say? Are you serious right now?""You heard what I said." I said as I fought back tears. "Why did you marry me? Did you even want to? Because it's obvious to me that you care about Lily way more!""Are you drunk or something?" Victor asked in a more serious tone. "We can't have a conversation like this if you're not sober."I scoffed. "I am sober, and you need to answer my question! Have you ever wanted to divorce me or not?!"I braced myself for the worst possible answer, even though I wasn't sure if I could take it. I was just so tired of feeling like I was getting caught up in my own mar
Emelia's POVI stood frozen at seeing Victor right outside of Alexis's house. He knew her address because we've had many dinners, random movie nights, and small get-togethers before, so I wasn't so much surprised about him actually being here.It was him showing up in the middle of the night that really took me aback.Once I'd met Victor, I found out that he treasured his sleep and rest a lot. As a CEO, the busy and fast-paced days at work often drained him, so he hardly stayed out late or did anything in the middle of the night that wasn't important.Well… Until Lily came crashing back into his life…So, while it seemed that he was breaking his own rules for Lily, I wasn't expecting him to also break it for me. So seeing him here truly was truly surprising. What did he want?Victor looked up at the window I stood in front of and waved. He pulled out his phone then called me immediately."Hey, Emmy. Can you come down? I really want to talk to you."Something about his voice sounded
Emelia's POVThe sudden ring of a phone jolted me awake. I looked around and realized we were still in the back of Victor's car.I couldn't believe that we stayed out here all night! I didn't even remember falling asleep…Victor groaned beside me as he groggily took out his phone."Hello?" His voice was a mixture of annoyance and half-sleepiness.The silence of our environment made it much easier for me to pick up who the voice belonged to on the other side of the line. Now still, hearing her voice made me grate my teeth together in frustration."Victor!" Lily greeted him sweetly. "Where are you? Don't forget I'm getting discharged from the hospital today! You're still coming to help me, right?”In the hospital? Could that have been the reason why Victor left me in Blasdell when we were supposed to be on our trip?I braced myself for the possibility of him leaving me to go be with her. Again.It was like she was a fragile, porcelain doll that only he could handle; and he gave into it e
Victor's POVI couldn't stand to look at this place any longer. It only made me miss Emelia so much more, and holding on to the foolish hope that she'd somehow come back and forgive me was making me go mad.I needed to get out of here.So, I set the car in reverse and made the slow drive down the dirt path. Anguish coated my tongue in its thickness, and it hurt to swallow the reality of what my life would now be like without her.I didn't want to accept it; I couldn't. While she still lived and breathed, I would have a chance. I'd fight for it, too.But for now, I couldn't help but give Emelia the space she needed… Especially so I could keep her safe from whatever my mother seemed to have up her sleeve.As I was halfway down the dirt path, I spotted another car heading past me towards the cottage. I slowed my pace even more, feeling the rise of suspicion crawl up my spine.No one else was supposed to know about this place. I sure as hell didn't tell anyone, and there were only two peop
Victor's POVIt had been… what? Two years since I'd seen this place? Despite that, this little cottage hadn't lost its charm. I still thought it to be just as magical as if I were laying eyes on it for the first time all over again.However, the sight of it was bittersweet as a pang of pain pinched my heart. I was in a daze at how I got here, but maybe it was because this place was trying to tell me something.Something that I'd been lying to myself about this entire time.Lily meant nothing to me now.From when we were kids up until everything went to shit, I harbored a lot of sympathy for Lily. While her parents were indeed wealthy and provided her with many materialistic things, she never had a real relationship with them.If her mother wasn't away on business trips, then her father was away due to classified military training or missions.For the most part… She was alone.So, when she moved to my city of Blasdell and started attending the private academy I was at, for some reason,
Victor's POVA dark cloud hung over my head as I left my mother's mockery of a home. I was in a worse mood than when I showed up. Even the warmth of the midday sun couldn't penetrate my body enough to reach my cold heart.What kind of connections did my mother really have? How did she come to know about Emelia's move to Italy?And did she truly have a means to harm her?After everything that I'd put her through, I couldn't stomach the thought of anything else happening to Emelia. Back then, I wasn't able to save her from the damage that I'd directly caused.But now… I was given a second chance. Even if that meant bending and breaking myself to my mother's will.I just couldn't wrap my head around any of it. Could this not just be another manipulation tactic? Was I being deceived so she could tighten the leash she had around me?I gripped my hands tight around the steering wheel.I was no one's dog. Not a puppet to be controlled, or some pawn that was to be sacrificed in favor of the Ki
Victor's POVThe drive was silent as I dreaded the familiar street names that spelled me getting closer to my mother's home. She was the last person on this damn planet I wanted to see. Even if she may have not been the sole reason for what was wrong in my marriage, she sure as hell played a big fucking part in it.There was no forgiving her for the way she treated Emelia; especially since she'd tried so hard to win her affections. The disrespect, the insults, the snarky remarks.I was too damn blind to see the damage it was causing. Emelia didn't deserve that treatment. And she sure as hell didn't deserve a spineless husband who did nothing to prevent it.I gripped the steering wheel harder once I turned onto the driveway of my mother's multi-storied home. The blood in my veins ran cold. I didn't want to be here.A few minutes passed while I continued to sit in the car. Its engine hummed since I still had the key in the ignition.I could just leave.It's what I wanted to do.I should
Victor's POVThe walls that surrounded this meeting room were nothing short of a fucking prison. Despite the people that were around me, it felt like I was in solitary confinement. And I wanted nothing more than to break out.For the last hour, I've sat here and endured the mindless drabbling of my subordinates. The atmosphere was so thick and heavy from the storm that raged in my mind, that none of them dared to even address me.It allowed me to brood at the head of the table in peace. Or relatively so. It would've been better if it was silent.In truth, I had no idea what this meeting was supposed to even be about. Not like I cared; and haven't done so in the last few days. Luckily for me, Rosalie was attentive and never spared the details she wrote in her notepad or clicked on on her keyboard. She'd send me the details later anyway.My mind was in shambles and ruin; left in disarray due to the betrayal of someone I least expected.My grandfather.I just couldn't believe it. A part o
Emelia's POVI shook my head, trying to ground myself back to this reality as I took the phone from Mason. It was Lady Ruby."H-hello?" I croaked, not realizing that my throat had gone dry."Is everything alright, sweetie?" Lady Ruby asked. "You don't sound too well."I cleared my throat and composed myself. "Y-yes, everything's fine. I just still need to adjust to the heat of this place."Mason snickered, but I pinched him."You'll grow to love it for sure. That Italian sun will do wonders for your skin!' Lady Ruby laughed. "But the reason I called was to check up on you and relay some information about the new project.""I love it here already, don't worry." I smiled. "But I'm ready for whatever it is you need from me! I'm excited to finally be able to start working on this project with you!""That's the spirit!" Lady Ruby enthused. "Well, more of the finer details are in the works, but an old friend and colleague of mine has plans to hold a wedding in the gardens of Isola Bella for
Emelia's POV"Last time I checked, yeah." Mason laughed. "I've got my driver's license and passport if you need to check. No birth certificate, though. That'll cost extra to get sent here."I scrunched my face in disbelief. "I-I don't understand. W-what are you doing here? Why are you here? When did you get here?""Oh, I'm sorry, officer." Mason teased. "I didn't realize I was being brought in for questioning!""Mason!""Just kidding! I'll tell you everything you want to know, I promise. But can I come in?" He smiled sheepishly as he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "I don't know how you've adjusted to all this heat! I feel like a vampire in need of shade!"I ushered Mason into my home, climbing the stairs to the top floor where the kitchen was. Sitting two glasses onto the marbled island, I pulled out a pitcher of fresh lemonade and some ice trays.I then walked back to the fridge, staring idly at the ingredients. In truth, I knew I wasn't looking to make a meal. If anything, I wa
Emelia's POVThree days have passed since I arrived in Italy. Accommodations for me were already made, but I wasn't expecting something as luxurious as this! Even though Lady Ruby tried to pass this off as modest, I didn't believe her in the slightest.Glass stairs separated each of the three stories that divided the living area, bedroom and master bath, and the kitchen. Smaller balconies accompanied each floor that could sit a small garden for plants and herbs or a sunbathing area.The real treat, however, was the expansive open terrace where I was greeted by the scent of fresh sea salt and the sound of gentle waves. The bright overhead sun bathed my skin in its warmth, and for the first time in so long, I felt happy.Grandpa Antonio was right—I LOVE Italy!I sat my laptop down on the outdoor table, raising the accompanying umbrella since I'd intended to do a video call. Luckily, work hadn't started for me just yet, so I wanted to take this opportunity to call home and update everyone
Victor's POVMy grandfather didn't know it, but a storm was fast approaching his estate. Lightning, thunder, heavy rains, and damaging winds were ready to tear apart the legacy he'd built. Because I knew that he had to have known about Emelia leaving. There was no way he couldn't have. She was the only one on this planet he probably loved more than me.Which was enough to convince me that he knew about this all along.I sped down the highway with reckless abandon, hardly heeding to the horns that honked at me or the few sheriff's cars I'd whizzed by. I was on a mission to get answers.And I would get them—one way or another.Once we arrived, I shot Rosalie an icy glare. "You're coming inside. Either way, I'll find out you're lying to me."Rosalie nodded her head. "Y-yes sir…"I didn't even dignify my grandfather with a knock on the door as I stormed through his front doors and marched straight for his office. His butlers that would've normally greeted me, or in this case, apprehended