Se connecterSONIA’S POV I just sort of figure that if I continue avoiding Jessica’s texts, she’ll eventually think she got the wrong number and then quit texting. So that’s exactly what I’ve decided to do today.As I get ready to leave the house for my first Pilates session with the new coach grandpa assigned to me, I’m actually pretty excited for today. I get to do something different than I have in a long time. It’s a good day, really.Anthony, on the other hand, feels a whole different way. The man believes I shouldn’t be alone with a stranger I know absolutely nothing about. But he’s just being annoying. There’s no way in hell I’m missing this appointment. I’ve been looking forward to it ever since his grandpa called about the arrangement.“Or I could get you a mat so you’ll do it in the corner of the room.” He continues listing ways to get me to change my mind.“You want him to come over?”“Like hell, I’d allow that. If you need a coach, you have me.” He makes way for me to come down the st
SONIA’S POVAnthony has just four fingers on that hand. The one that has never seen the light of day as far as I’m concerned.I’m rooted in shock as I stare at him and then at his hand.Did the glove slip out of his hand at night? Because as far as I know, the man wouldn’t intentionally expose himself like this unless something happened.Because I know that this might be the one time I get to look at him. Truly look him over, I take my time in examining the hand on his stomach while also trying to be as quiet and unmoving as can be.The missing finger doesn’t look like it was crushed. Neither does it look like something that had been accidentally lost.The precision in which it was cut tells me it’d been done consciously. Deliberately.A phone—mine or Anthony’s—vibrates somewhere around the room but I’m too entranced to find out which. Not when I can barely breathe.And it’s not out of fear. It’s never that with him, not anymore. It’s because I feel like I’ve stumbled into a part of h
ANTHONY’S POVI know the only way to truly begin letting go of the past and giving Sonia what she wants is by acknowledging certain areas of my life.Areas I always found too uncomfortable to deal with, but I knew were better than the parts I’d rather not deal with at all. At least the more approachable parts were better enough to really peel back compared to the rest.I drag my eyes over my hands on the steering wheel. Perhaps I should begin with the black piece of cloth I never take off, except when I'm in my room.No one ever saw what was beneath, and when I’d begun putting it on years ago, no one questioned why I did it.Looking back, I know it was because I’d made that stupid choice during the winter. Everyone wore gloves then, so I knew it was the best excuse to hide the outcome of the aftermath of my stupidity.When winter was over, that was when the stares truly came. I walked around with one hand covered while the other went bare. Grandpa had to ask me if that was what was tr
ANTHONY 'S POVIt’s quarter past midnight by the time I drive out of the garage, heading to the one place I’m certain to find Dexter at this time of the night, since the man has some sort of allergy to his house.As soon as I’d heard that soft, pretty snoring of Sonia’s, I had left the bed as quietly as I could, dressed back in my slacks and white shirt, and left the house, but not before clearing the dining table of our dinner plates.I’d taken into consideration what Sonia said about grandpa wanting me to take it easy on my cousin, which is why I’ve decided to talk to him.That option hasn’t always been my go-to, but it does have its uses.Either way, I’ve brought my pistol with me for extra measure. You never can tell what’s going to happen, and maybe, just maybe, I might be lucky to see that my cousin will be spoiling for a tiny bit of violence. If he does, I’ll be more grateful to engage.The lights in the building where Grandpa’s men’s club is situated are still on, which isn’t
ANTHONY’S POVI feel every inch of muscle in my body tighten on hearing those words come out of Sonia’s mouth.“Come again,” I say, knowing damn well that I heard her clearly the first time and that she isn’t referring to any other cousin that isn’t Dexter fucking Romano.“Dexter. He cornered me in the parking lot on Wednesday.”“And you’re only just telling me this now?” I manage to ask while at the same time trying to keep my cool.I know Sonia tried hiding it. When we were together, I saw how ramrod straight her back went, voice even, and her eyes flicking away just a little too fast. It’s what gave her away. But on my part, I’d opted to give her time until she was ready to tell me what had been bothering her.Right now, her jaw is tighter than usual. She’s holding herself like someone who’s trying not to break. And I can’t help the anger that threatens to slip out.All anger is being directed at my idiotic cousin. The bastard. Having the guts to approach my wife.“What happened?”
SONIA’S POVBy noon, I gather my things and sign out of the office, ready to be back home and in the familiar comfort of my bedroom. Leaving the office floor, all I try to do is to be in my best mood.I want to push all Dexter said to the back of my mind, because if I’m being honest, it’s not like I didn’t know what I was getting into when I accepted this deal with Anthony.After he’d announced the date of our own wedding like he’d just casually announced the date of a trip or something, I knew that he wouldn’t make things easier for me information-wise.So, just like every other day, I paste one of those smiles on my face. It’s my way of convincing myself that all is well, and I’m not bothered.After I’ve made my way to the first floor, and I’m almost through the glass doors of the building, a brief image of something black and familiar catches my eye.I come to a halt and take one step back, whipping my head to the left as my gaze lands on the person seated in the waiting room on th
ANTHONY’S POVIt’s not until 3 a.m. that I walk into the familiar comfort of my home, my system filled with more alcohol than I’ve consumed in a while. I’m not drunk, though, considering I was the one who drove myself back home – at least not drunk enough. But isn’t that what every drunk or high p
ANTHONY’S POVThe first thing I do is to try not to give anything away from my expression because I can feel all eyes on me already: the one drilling holes into the back of my head, the one weighing heavily on me with disappointment, and the clueless one curiously trying to know what’s in the photo
SONIA’S POVWe spend all of about ten minutes in Tara’s office, reviewing our file and receiving feedback before we’re done for the day. Sam has driven off in her car to pick her brother from the airport, and I’m two minutes away from home. Part of me is very much excited to see Anthony after whe
SONIA’S POV“Someone’s unusually in a good mood today.” Sam snickers ahead of me, stepping into the café and holding the doors for me. “Thanks, babe.” “So, are you going to spill or what?” She bumps her shoulder into mine after we’ve placed our orders and as we take a seat at an empty table. Of







