Chapter 7

Sure enough, it didn’t take long for Matteo to pick a fight with me after we got back to the estate that night.

He kept his voice down, but the annoyance was apparent in his voice.

“You have no respect for my people. You’re just petty. Juliana is just blunt. She’s family to all of us.”

I put the shopping bags on the table before turning to face him. “So I’m supposed to stay silent when you let another woman take my seat in the front? Did you spend two years in Sicily with another woman sleeping next to you? Do you even know what a boundary is?”

He stood under the light, veins along his forehead bulging. “She doesn’t fuss over the details. Everyone gets tired after a long day, so she just rests whenever she can. Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Just rests whenever she can?” I nearly chuckled. “Of all places, and she chooses to sleep next to you. You don’t even have the decency to say no.”

Matteo fell silent, uneasiness flickering across his eyes. Nevertheless, he was quick to defend himself.

“Stop obsessing over the small stuff. Just be a little more open-minded like her, okay?”

Snapping a callous look at Matteo, I was overwhelmed by disappointment and despair to the very core.

I said wearily, “I want out of this marriage. I’ve already had the family lawyer draft the papers. I’ll email them to you.”

Matteo was taken aback. “You want a divorce? Over something so trivial?”

Judging from his eyes, I could tell that he was accusing me of being dramatic and difficult.

He said, “I won’t allow it. The divorce is going to hurt my standing in the family. Besides, I haven’t done anything to betray you.”

During our argument, his phone rang, and it was Juliana calling.

“Don’t take the call,” I barked.

However, Matteo simply glanced at me before accepting the call.

I snatched the phone out of Matteo’s hand.

Juliana sounded hurt over the phone.

“Matteo, are you two fighting because of me? Oh, Alessia. There’s no need for animosity. I’m just one of the guys. If you’re upset, just take it out on me.”

I pulled the phone close to my ear, my voice flat.

“There are lines you don’t cross, even as a joke. Are you aware of social boundaries? Quit using ‘we’re bros’ as an excuse.”

Juliana jumped right out to defend herself.

“I’m a straight shooter with no filter. Don’t look at me as a woman. Matteo and I go way back.”

I spoke in hushed tones, “Mind your manners when talking to someone else’s spouse. Not every man is fair game.”

After ending the call, I couldn’t stop rage from rising within me.

It wasn’t about a bruised ego but rather the way Juliana chipped away at my self-respect.

Grabbing my phone, I sent a voice message to Vittoria.

“I’ve kept you in the loop, Vittoria. You can’t just put up with everything. Some people only get cockier when they get their way.”

She responded with a voice note, her voice reflecting resignation. “I know you’re upset, Alessia. I’ve been quiet for the sake of the kids, but you’re right. I can’t just sweep things under the rug. This time, I’m with you.”

A chill ran through my fingers as I held the phone.

“It won’t just be talking from here on out. She should know that a marriage isn’t a game she can manipulate.”

With that, I paced around the living room.

My mind flew back to my divorce in the past life. Standing before me, Juliana said, “I can’t wait to be with Matteo once you’re out of the family.”

I thought of the final shove she gave me.

If I were to get a second chance at life, only to have Juliana walk all over me again, what would that make me?