LOGINARYA’S POVAs I stepped out of the car, I noticed rose petals scattered along the walkway leading to the restaurant entrance.My breath caught. "Giovanni, what is going on?”"Come with me," he said softly, his thumb stroking over my knuckles.He led me forward, and with each step, my heart beat faster. The rose petals formed a clear path, and there were candles too, their flames dancing in the evening breeze.We reached the door, and Giovanni paused, turning to face me. "Ready?"I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.He opened the door, and the lights blazed on."SURPRISE!"I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth.The restaurant was filled with people. Dad stood near the front, leaning on his cane but smiling widely. Mom was beside him and Christabel was bouncing on her toes.And there was Enzo, his arm around a very pregnant Jasmine, both of them grinning. Claire waved from the back, and Maria stood beside her, beaming."What…" I turned to Giovanni, panicked and breathles
ARYA’S POV"Arya! Arya, you have letters!"Christabel burst into my room without knocking, waving envelopes above her head like victory flags.I looked up from where I sat in the rocking chair, Dante was happily eating his meal while my mom sat across from me, embroidering something that looked suspiciously like baby clothes."Christabel, you should knock first," Mama chided gently.She bounded over, practically vibrating with excitement as she handed me three cream-colored envelopes. "Sorry, but these just came and I knew Arya would want them right away!" I opened them and recognized Giovanni's handwriting immediately."More love letters?" Mom asked, a smile playing at her lips. "You two do know texting exists, right? It's much faster.""Mama!" Christabel gasped. "That's so unromantic! Letters are special. You can keep them forever and reread them and…" She clutched the remaining envelope to her chest dramatically. "It's like something from a period drama!""Your sister has been wa
ARYA’S POVIt has been a week and I haven’t heard a word from Giovanni after the birthday party. Every night since then I was tormented by our last conversation, mainly because of guilt and also because I regretted the words I spoke. Giovanni was trying his best to reconcile but all I did was throw it back in his face. I wish we had the opportunity to talk again. I would take back some of the words I spoke. “Cara,” Dad's voice interrupted and I looked up from the desk, “are you good?”I forced a smile on my face and nodded. “What is it?” He cleared his throat and walked further into the room. “Giovanni called earlier this morning.”Before I could help it, my heart leapt for joy and I scrambled to my feet. I immediately realized how embarrassing my excitement was but Dad didn't seem to mind. “What… why did he call?” I asked, pretending to be disinterested.My dad’s facial expression made me pause. "Giovanni has filed for divorce."The room tilted. "What?"Dad had a gruff look on
ARYA'S POV I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss and all morning, I kept replaying it in my head.I couldn't forget the feel of his hands on my face or the desperation in every touch.In the kitchen, I was supposed to be making breakfast, but I burned the toast twice."Arya, are you alright?" Mom asked, rescuing the smoking bread from the toaster. "You seem distracted."I shook my head. "I'm fine. Just tired."But I wasn't fine. I was a mess.Later, I tried to play with Dante in the nursery, but I couldn't focus. He kept showing me his toys and laughing, and I kept drifting off, thinking about Giovanni's face when I pulled away from him on the balcony."Mama, more!" Dante demanded, shoving a block at me.I blinked, snapping out of it. "Right, yes. More blocks."Christabel noticed too when she came to visit. "Are you sick? You seem weird.""I'm not sick." I forced a tight smile.She didn't look like she believed. "You're acting weird. Your eyes are all dreamy.""They are not." I sh
ARYA'S POVThe after-party was in full swing, there was music and food and lots of laughter.I tried to enjoy it but everywhere I turned, people looked at me with that same expression of pity mixed with uncertainty.Like they didn't know whether to acknowledge what had happened to me or pretend it never did."Arya! Oh my God, it's been so long!"I turned to find Sophia Moretti, someone I knew vaguely before everything happened."Sophia, hi. How have you been?""Good, good. You know, just-" She laughed nervously. "I heard about what happened. That must have been so... difficult."I smiled tightly. "It was."An uncomfortable silence fell. She glanced away, then back at me. “Well, you look great. Really great. I mean, everything considered…" She stopped, blushing. "Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound-"I waved her dismissively. "It's fine."But it wasn't fine. This happened with everyone I spoke to. The same underlying pity and discomfort. After the fifth such conversation, I felt exhau
ARYA’S POVI stood in front of my bedroom mirror, the midnight blue dress flowing around me like water. My hair was still loose around my shoulders, and I couldn't decide what to do with it. A soft knock echoed at the door. "Arya? May I come in?""Yes, Mom."She entered, already dressed in a beautiful champagne-colored gown, her hair swept up in a chignon."You look beautiful," she said, coming to stand behind me. "But your hair… here, let me help."Her hands were gentle as she ran her fingers through my hair, arranging it so it fell in soft waves over my shoulders."You should keep it like this," she said decisively. "It looks lovely down."I watched her in the mirror, remembering all the times she had done this when I was younger."Are you sure about this?" she asked quietly, her hands still smoothing my hair. "We can still stay home. No one would think less of you."I shook my head. "I need to do this. Dr. Rossi says avoiding Giovanni isn't helping me heal.” A sigh left my throat
GIOVANNI’S POVI stared at the ceiling of my bedroom, watching as the morning light slipped in through the curtains. Sleep had been impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Arya moving against me with desperate need, and making sounds that had nearly destroyed my self-control.I did the righ
ARYA’S POVI just finished my third cup of gelato when the brain freeze hit me like an ice pick to the forehead."Ow," I gasped, pressing my hand to my temple.Rosa, the gelato shop attendant, laughed from behind the counter. "You eat too fast, bella! You must savor it, not inhale it like a vacuum!
ARYA’S POVThe dress was a deep midnight blue that seemed to shimmer between black and sapphire depending on how the light hit it. The bodice was intricately beaded, the skirt flowing and elegant, with a slit that reached mid-thigh. My hair was styled in an elaborate updo, with a few curls framing
ARYA’S POVI was about to tell him exactly what was on my mind, but another sneeze overtook me. Giovanni sighed, grabbed the soup, and sat on the edge of my bed. "Open."I rolled my eyes. "I can feed myself, Giovanni.”"Then do it."I took the bowl from him, intending to take a few sips just to ge







