Chapter 6 Are Those Hickeys

Back then, I told him everything.

"When I was five, I watched my mom jump off a building. She was severely depressed. My dad caused it."

That truth had been buried for years. I never thought I'd say it out loud.

But I kept going. "My dad cheated. The other woman had her baby just two months after me.

"When my mom found out, she broke. That woman kept showing up, flaunting it.

"And after my mom died, I thought—at the very least—he'd feel something. He didn't. Barely a month later, he moved them into our house."

Since then, I haven't trusted marriage. Haven't trusted men. Even the smallest touch made me nauseous.

I knew it was in my head, so I quietly buried myself in self-help books, trying to fix it.

Until I did, dating was off the table.

That day at the hospital, I told Luciano everything. He needed to hear it—it wasn't about him not being enough. It was just... me.

He took my hand. I didn't pull away.

Then he looked me straight in the eye and said, steady and slow, "I don't mind. Gaia, I'll wait. However long it takes."

That moment? It wrecked me.

We started dating that day. And with his help, I clawed my way out of most of my fears.

But there's one thing I never told him—and now, he'll never know.

When I showed up at his place with a birthday cake and a bottle of wine, I'd finally decided to give him all of me. As his birthday present.

Then I saw him with Cecilia. And everything shattered.

Luciano hadn't forgotten the promise he made. I saw it—guilt flickered in his eyes. But it vanished fast, replaced by frustration.

"Yeah, I said I'd wait," he snapped. "But it's been three years. You still wouldn't let me touch you. How was I supposed to keep hoping?"

I nodded. Calm enough, I think.

"Yeah. You lost hope. So you gave up on me... and chose her? Cecilia? Of all people? You knew what her mom did to mine. And now you're doing the same thing to me?"

My voice rose. Couldn't stop it.

I knew it was over. I shouldn't even be standing there.

We were done.

I took a breath and turned to leave.

"No matter what, I won't forgive you. We're over."

That was the last thing I said.

Luciano panicked. Chased after me, blurting apologies.

"It was a mistake. I was drunk, pissed off—I didn't mean to. I know I shouldn't have touched Cecilia. I shouldn't have given up on us. Please, Gaia. Just one more chance..."

He grabbed me like I might disappear.

But I was done being wrapped up in him.

I tried to break free.

In the struggle, my scarf slipped.

The fading hickeys hit the air.

I froze.

So did he.

His eyes locked on my neck. Wide, stunned.

"Gaia... are those—hickeys?"