From Vows to Vows Again

Paolo and I went way back.My parents died in a fire—trying to save top-level documents, the kind that actually mattered to the country. The whole Aragona line? Gone in one night.I was the only one kept hidden—and the only one who survived.From a powerful legacy to a girl with nothing but a name. Suddenly, everyone wanted to "take me in." So kind, so generous—please. They were just hoping to slap my name onto their family tree for some clout.All of them had that same greedy glint in their eyes.Except Paolo.Back then, he was this chubby little ball of sunshine, running up like an overexcited puppy."Grandpa, can we adopt Aurora?" he blurted, then turned to me all serious. "I can take care of you. Come live with us. I'll be your servant—forever!"I actually laughed. First time I'd ever heard someone volunteer to serve the person they were adopting.After dealing with scheming adults and bratty kids, the Riccis felt like the least awful option.So I picked them.Paolo kept

I turned and slid into Marco's car without a word.I wasn't wasting another second on Paolo's excuses.Inside, Marco glanced over—careful, testing the water. "You really don't plan to give him another chance?"He'd changed out of his habit into a suit, but the rosary still looped his wrist like a quiet reminder of who he used to be.I grabbed his collar and yanked him close. "You WANT me to give him another chance?"His breath hitched. Eyes locked on mine, he managed, "I don't." Then softer, "Do you know how much I've missed you?"He pressed me into the corner until our skin touched. The driver, bless him, slid the partition up on cue.The car felt tiny. His arms tightened around my waist, shaking. "Can I kiss you?"That voice—once ice—cracked with need. Almost pathetic. Almost sweet."Marco." I tangled my fingers in his hair and kissed him hard.He went rigid, then melted against me like a dam breaking. He clung, greedy for every breath.Of course my phone chose that second

Three days later, Paolo cornered me at my doorstep.More obsessive than I'd even guessed. He'd hunted down my address, hopped a red-eye to Khelmark, and camped outside my place all night without sleep.When he finally saw me, he looked wrecked—dark circles, hollow eyes, dripping gloom."Aurora, didn't you say you loved me? Why won't you give me a chance?"He stood there, stubborn, like it was my fault.I frowned, gave him a once-over. "Come in." I pushed the door open.He didn't move. Just kept repeating the same line—why wouldn't I give him a chance.I stopped, steady. "What kind of chance are you after? Haven't I given you enough?"I remembered the first time he dragged a side chick home: I asked for loyalty. He ditched her. I cooked a whole table of food that night. Next week he was plastered on the front page with a model. I covered for him, kept apologizing, kept bending.For three years I refused every divorce he tossed at me like confetti. If that wasn't enough chances,

I scrubbed to the end of the video. Paolo's dad stared into the camera, practically begging. "Aurora, Paolo gets it now. Please, stop being mad. Don't take it out on the rest of us."I powered off the screen. I'd heard enough.I already gave them a way out—just keep Paolo away from me, and I'd let them be. But no. They went with this sad, manipulative stunt, acting like they were the victims.Ding!Elevator doors slid open. I slipped my phone into my bag. Riccis? Not my problem anymore.I pushed open the hotel room door—and heard water running.Before I could move, Paolo stepped out of the bathroom—dripping wet, wrapped in nothing but a towel.His skin was raw, flushed red from scrubbing too hard. Water dripped down lean muscles, hair plastered to his forehead, working that pitiful, kicked-puppy look.Then he dropped to his knees."Aurora, I know I messed up. I just... I loved you too much and didn't know how to handle it. Please—give me another shot. I'm clean now. Really. I'