Semua Bab The Mafia's Nanny : Bab 351 - Bab 360

351Rosa’s POV For a moment, I let myself be.The warmth of the sun. The hum of the wind through the trees. The way Alessio looked at me, like he still saw something worth fighting for.I had spent so long convincing myself I was immune to him now. That no matter what he did, no matter how much he proved he’d changed, I wouldn’t fall for it.And yet…I was here. Again.Letting my guard slip, inch by inch.Letting him matter again.Then, just as quickly, the past came crashing down on me.A memory. Sharp, unrelenting.“You’re the only person I trust,” I had told him once.And he had kissed me, murmuring against my lips, “I will never betray you.”Liar.The old wound cracked open, raw and stinging.I pulled back before I even realized it, my body reacting before my mind could catch up.Alessio noticed immediately. His easy expression hardened into something cautious. “Rosa.”I shook my head, getting to my feet. “I should go.”His brows furrowed. “What? Why?”“This—” I gestured around m

353Rosa’s POV. The morning air was crisp as I stepped outside, the faint scent of rain still clinging to the air. I pulled my coat tighter around me, ignoring the small, unwelcome flutter in my stomach.This was just another day. That’s what I told myself. Another day where I was stupid enough to agree to spend time with Alessio again. It was happening more often than I cared to admit.Today wasn’t supposed to be different. But it felt different.Because I wasn’t seeing him out of obligation. Not because I felt I owed him anything. Not even because I was trying to prove to myself that I was over him.I was seeing him because I wanted to.I shook off the thought as I spotted Alessio waiting for me by his car. He looked up at the sound of my footsteps, and when his eyes met mine, that stupid flutter in my stomach turned into something warmer.“Morning, Rosa.” His voice was soft, like he knew I was still getting used to this. To him.I nodded, keeping my face neutral. “Morning.”He open

355Rosa’s POV I should’ve walked away.I should’ve stepped back, turned around, done anything but stand there, letting the moment stretch between us like something fragile and inevitable.But I didn’t.Alessio was close enough that I could feel his warmth, close enough that I could see the way his chest rose and fell like he was steadying himself, like he was giving me one last chance to stop this.I didn’t stop it.His fingers grazed my jaw—gentle, hesitant.I tilted my head ever so slightly. That was all he needed.He leaned in, and I let him.His lips brushed against mine, soft at first, like he was afraid I’d pull away. Like he thought I’d come to my senses and shove him back.I should have.I didn’t.Instead, I melted into it.And God, it was slow. Not rushed, not desperate, just slow. I moaned, melting into his arms and wondering how I’d survived months without him.I had spent so long convincing myself that I didn’t need this. That I didn’t miss him.But now, with his lips mo

357Rosa’s POVI sat on my couch, staring at the wall like it held all the answers to my life’s problems. It didn’t. Obviously.I couldn’t stop replying Allesio’s words in my head.“Then let me prove to you that it won’t.”I wanted to believe him.And maybe, for the first time, I actually did.The thought sent a nervous energy through me, making my stomach flip. For months, I had convinced myself that keeping Alessio at arm’s length was the only way to protect myself. That running was easier than facing the possibility of getting hurt again.But it wasn’t.Running never made me feel safe. It had only made me feel alone.I sucked in a breath, my decision solidifying.Enough.Enough of hiding behind my fear. Enough of waiting for the perfect moment when I felt ready—because that moment might never come.I grabbed my phone before I could talk myself out of it.Me: Are you still awake?The response came faster than I expected.Alessio: Yeah. Are you okay?My fingers hovered over the keybo

359Rosa’s POVThe sun was warm on my skin as I stepped out of my car, stretching like a cat as I took in the sight of Emilia’s house.I barely had time to knock before the door swung open.“You’re late.”I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t aware we were on a schedule.”Emilia smirked, stepping aside so I could walk in. “We weren’t. But I still like to give you a hard time.”“Charming.”She closed the door behind me, then turned, hands on her hips. “Well? Are you going to keep me in suspense, or are you going to tell me why you texted me last night saying, and I quote, ‘I have updates and you need to be sitting down for them.’”I grinned. “Oh, I intend to tell you everything. But first, where’s my goddaughter?”“Throwing a tantrum upstairs because she can’t have cake for breakfast,” Emilia said, shaking her head. “Alaric tried to reason with her, but she told him he’s the meanest daddy in the world and locked herself in her room.”I snorted. “Sounds about right.”We made our way to the kitche