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Chapter 5
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The Don's Bride Took Flight Chapter 10
Luca stopped sending gifts. He didn't try calling from unfamiliar numbers, either.His last message asked whether I wanted him to ship the orange tree to Bayhaven along with the rest of my things.I replied, "No, thank you.""All right," he wrote back.The conversation ended there.I set down my phone and went back to revising the class schedule.That winter, I finished the painting I'd started on my birthday.It showed a Bayhaven morning.I still thought about Luca sometimes.I remembered the chair he'd brought to his side the night I first met his family. I also remembered him kissing my forehead while asking me to make room for another woman.Both things had happened.I didn't have to pretend I'd never been happy during those seven years just to prove leaving was the right choice.And I didn't have to endure the same hurt again because some of those years had been good.The following spring, I took a few days off to visit my family in Santavera.Before leaving, I calle
The Don's Bride Took Flight Chapter 9
I was teaching the afternoon intro class.As it drew to a close, I glanced through the glass door and saw Luca standing in the hallway.Half an hour later, the class ended.He was still there.He carried one small paper bag. No flowers. No jewelry box."Happy birthday."He offered me the bag."Drawing paper. The kind you used to buy."I accepted it."Thank you."Claire poked her head out of the classroom."Irene, come here. Everyone's waiting for you."A small cake sat on the long worktable.My coworkers had pushed aside the paint and water cups to make room, and someone placed a paper birthday hat on my head.When the candles were lit, I couldn't help laughing."When did you arrange all this?""While you were checking the class schedule."Just before making my wish, I instinctively looked toward the doorway.Luca was standing there, watching me.Seven years ago, he'd sung happy birthday to me in much the same way.There hadn't been so many people then. He'd balance
The Don's Bride Took Flight Chapter 8
There weren't many boxes. Each was neatly labeled, and even my half-used charcoal sticks had been packed separately.When I crouched to unpack them, Luca held the lid open."Easy. Don't strain your right hand."One of the sketchbooks had a loose binding. As I lifted it out, a sheet of paper slipped to the floor.Luca picked it up first.I'd drawn a restaurant table.Two place settings. An unopened bottle of wine. A little pendant lamp hanging by the window.He studied the drawing for several seconds."Is this that restaurant by the river?""Yeah.""When did you draw it?""On my birthday last year."He said nothing.I'd reserved a window table, and we'd agreed to meet at six.At seven, he said he was almost there.At eight, Sofia called. She thought someone was lurking outside her apartment.In the end, Marco arrived instead, carrying a present and an apology.I ate both dinners by myself.The server couldn't bear to take away my birthday candle. She brought me a new o
The Don's Bride Took Flight Chapter 7
"Luca hasn't answered my calls in days. Are you happy now?"Sofia's message came with a photograph of my old studio.The easel was back by the window, and the paints had been arranged in their original order. The orange tree had been moved to a new pot. Beside it stood a chair I'd once casually mentioned wanting."He had someone put everything back, one piece at a time. What more do you want from him?"I saved a screenshot and blocked her.That evening, Luca was waiting outside the arts center again.He noticed my bandage was gone and immediately approached."What did the doctor say?""It's healing well enough."His eyes went to my palm. The red marks hadn't faded yet, and the tiny dots left by the stitches were unmistakable.He started to reach for me, then stopped."Does it still hurt?""When I hold a pencil too long."He swallowed.I showed him the screenshot."Deal with whatever is going on between you two. Don't let it interfere with my life again."As he read, the
The Don's Bride Took Flight Chapter 6
When I finished work the next day, Luca was waiting outside the arts center again."Does your hand hurt today?""Not much.""I found a specialist who can see you tomorrow afternoon.""I already booked a follow-up appointment.""I'll go with you.""That's not necessary."He was quiet for a moment."You don't have to do everything alone."I looked at him and remembered the tasting.I'd been sitting among shards of glass, bleeding, and I'd said out loud that I needed him.He'd walked away anyway."I'm not trying to prove anything, Luca."I don't need you anymore."He stood there without speaking.I walked around him toward the bus stop.Back at the apartment, Claire called. A foundation had contacted the arts center, she said. My heart sank.The next day, she laid a letter of intent in front of me.The Moretti family offered to pay for renovations to the teaching wing. In exchange, the center was to establish a private studio for me, reduce my workload, and guarantee me
The Don's Bride Took Flight Chapter 5
Every missed call was from Luca.Claire took my suitcase and opened the car door for me."Let's get you settled in first. We can deal with everything else tomorrow."I'd barely climbed inside when the phone rang again.This time, I answered."Irene."Luca was breathing hard."Marco said you're in Bayhaven. Give me your address. I'm coming right now.""I've already arrived. Someone picked me up.""You can't carry luggage with that hand.""Claire's helping me."There was a brief silence."Good. I'll have a hotel booked for you. Rest tonight, and tomorrow I'll bring you home.""Luca, I'm not going back."He paused, then softened his voice."We can postpone the wedding. If you don't like any of the arrangements, we'll change everything.""Not postponed. Canceled."Outside the window, unfamiliar Bayhaven streets rolled by."I accepted a job here. I've rented an apartment. I start Monday. I'm not on vacation.""When did you decide this?""The day of the photo shoot."He
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