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Chapter 15: A stranger’s order
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2026-09-28 20:49:34
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The Woman He Couldn’t Keep Chapter 15: A stranger’s order
Francesca’s POVI moved out of the hotel at the end of the second week. Forty a night wasn’t sustainable on what I was making, so I found a motel a few blocks further out that charged by the week instead, cheaper, quieter, and with a small kitchenette I could actually use instead of eating crackers out of a bag every night.The room wasn’t much better than the last one. A different color of carpet, a different crack running along the ceiling. But it was mine for a full week without having to think about it every single day, and that alone felt like progress.I unpacked properly for the first time since leaving the mansion, my sketches spread out on the small desk by the window, my clothes hung in a closet that actually had hangers. I wasn’t much but I was happy. I sketched during my breaks now, small things, nothing important, just enough to keep my hands busy while I ate whatever I’d brought for lunch.Rosa caught me at it once, glanced at the page, didn’t say anything, and went bac
The Woman He Couldn’t Keep Chapter 14: Alone
Chapter Fourteen: AloneFrancesca’s POVI walked for almost an hour after I left the gates, no direction, just putting distance between myself and that house.Eventually I found a hotel somewhere along the road. I went it and booked a room. The hotel took cash and didn’t ask questions. I liked that about it.The man behind the glass didn’t even look up from his phone. “Forty a night.”I counted it out and slid it through the slot.The room had one bed and a window that didn’t close all the way. I sat on the edge of the mattress with my bag still on my shoulder. I counted my money and it wouldn’t last the week.I refused to think about Julian or the house. It didn’t help me here. I didn’t cry. I’d already done that.I fell asleep with my shoes still on and woke up when the sun came through the gap in the curtains, too bright to ignore. My back hurt from the mattress. I got up anyway.I needed a job, that much was obvious. I couldn’t stay here with little money doing nothing, so I washe
The Woman He Couldn’t Keep Chapter 13: Unsigned
Francesca’s POVI felt so stupid and dumb. I sat on the edge of my bed for a long time before I let myself cry.I thought about what happened between us last night, breakfast that morning. The way he treated me like I meant something. Worst of all was last night. That was a very vulnerable and intimate thing for me, and not even hours later, he had already slept with SophieI didn’t cry because my heart was broken. I wasn’t sure it was, not fully, not yet. I cried because I’d let myself believe that maybe we could have something.I should have known better.The next day I didn’t go down for breakfast. Marta brought a tray up instead, set it down, and hurried away. The whole house probably already knew what happened. I picked at the eggs and ate none of the toast.Julian came up a few minutes after I finished eating and knocked. I didn’t answer “Francesca. Open the door.”“I know you’re in there.” He continued I sat on the edge of the bed and said nothing at all, until eventually he l
The Woman He Couldn’t Keep Chapter 12: Calm before the storm
Alessandro’s POVThe night before I watched the event from the upper balcony, a glass in hand, mostly untouched.The Marchetti deal had taken less time than expected, a handshake and a few minutes of conversation, done before most guests had even arrived. I stayed anyway, out of habit, watching the room from above the way I usually did at events like this.A small crowd had gathered near the edge of the floor below. I recognized the man who crossed to pull the woman away from it. Julian Windsor. I’d met him twice, we did business occasionally.I didn’t know he was married. He led her out through a set of glass doors, onto a private terrace and the doors closed behind them.I finished my drink and turned my attention elsewhere. Whatever was happening out there wasn’t my business.Francesca’s POVThe following morningJulian kept his word about the day off. We had breakfast late and it was different. There was no rush, no phone calls interrupting us, nothing. The food was mostly untouc
The Woman He Couldn’t Keep Chapter 11: After math
Francesca’s POVI don’t remember how we left the gala.I remember his hand finding mine somewhere between the terrace and the door, tight, certain, like he’d already decided something and wasn’t going to change his mind about it. I remember the car, both of us quiet, his thumb moving slowly over my knuckles the entire ride.I remember getting home quickly.The house was dark when we came in, most of the staff were already asleep. Julian didn’t let go of my hand at the bottom of the stairs. He just looked at me, something unspoken behind his eyes, and led me toward the east wing instead of the guest hallway. “This isn’t the way to my room,” I said.“I know.”I didn’t argue. I followed him down a hallway I’d never actually walked before, past a door I’d only ever seen closed, and now I was inside, for the first time since I arrived in this house. His room was simple, none of the excess I expected from a Windsor.He shut the door behind us. For a moment neither of us moved. “You can stil
The Woman He Couldn’t Keep Chapter 10: The Gala
Francesca’s POVThe dress arrived that afternoon. It was on a garment rack and was carried up by two of the staff. Deep emerald green, fitted through the bodice, and a skirt that moved like water when I turned in the mirror.It felt strange, dressing for something important because since the wedding, I hadn’t left the house.I was still fixing an earring when I heard footsteps stop outside my door. I opened it to leave and found Sophie already there, like she’d been waiting.She looked at the dress first, then at me.“The Windsor Foundation gala.” She said it slowly, like she was tasting something bitter. “I used to help plan that event. Did you know that? Before everything.”“I didn’t.”“I used to be the one people expected to see next to him at things like this.” Her arms crossed. “Now you’re wearing a dress his assistant picked, going to an event I helped build, and I’m sitting here.”“And whose fault is that?” I asked “I suppose I did that to myself, didn’t I. Have a wonderful ni
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