Semua Bab Wedcuffed: Bab 211 - Bab 220

Sarah POVThe moment we pulled into the driveway, I felt a strange weight holding me down. As Alessandro did park right near the old porch so the gravel crunched down beneath the tires, a soft sleepy sound stirred Gabriel within his car seat.That I could not say it was not gorgeous here. The farmhouse appeared just as it did during Adrian and my visit after our wedding, the white walls were the same, wildflowers thrived without regard for rules, also the air was heavy with the fragrance of pine and sun-baked soil. I didn't foresee beyond the memories. These memories did affect me with intensity.After he stretched Alessandro stepped out first then carefully lifted Gabriel from the backseat. He offered his quiet, steady look to me then asked, “You okay?”I nodded, and then I brushed all of my hair behind one ear. “Yeah… Just tired.”Only about half of that was true then.The voice of Adrian, being so cheerful, being so rehearsed, reached to me before we had made it up the steps.“You h

Sarah POVI followed him barefoot across all of the creaky floorboards and then into that night. Underneath the stars, the old farmhouse pool shimmered like liquid glass. The pool was surrounded by wild grass, and lavender always grew near the fence far too fast.He dove in first smoothly and silently, surfacing with a grin. I paused briefly then shed my large tee and went in after him. The water at once wrapped itself around my skin just like silk then.We drifted. We were approaching one another. The summer insects hummed a quiet buzz around us, the moonlight catching on the ripples between our bodies.He asked “You okay?” and he walked softly near me.I nodded. “Yeah… More than okay.”His hand was finding under the water my waist. I didn’t resist.It had some real credibility. Honest. Alessandro’s touch lacked games, veiled intentions did not exist. Safety, something that I had not felt in such a long time, and just quiet understanding and also that gentle burn. Desire. Love, maybe.

Sarah POVThe air felt thick during late summer with the scent of hay. It stays like something undone on one of those nights when heat does not lessen, even after dark. Everything all around me felt heavy and still, and the porch boards were warm under my feet. Except my chest. That felt tight. Breathing felt just like I was forgetting of how.Gabriel was settled as night arrived. Somehow, his soft steady breaths grounded me, a small sound within the silence crackled through the baby monitor next to me. I could hear the soft murmur of running water inside in the pipe, someone showering or filling the sink maybe. Alessandro's voice floated calmly in from the backyard low, probably smoothing over a late business call. He was steady. He was also composed. There is no fuss, always showing up for hard parts.I wanted something. It passed in a flash. In the dark, just one quiet breath.Certainly, he located me.Knowing precisely his cause, Adrian said, “You look tired”.I didn’t turn around.

Alessandro POVAs soon as we entered within the farmhouse, I sensed Adrian's gaze frequently shifted toward Sarah, and it rested just a tad too long, as his steps were always a bit too near to hers. He moved like he was unsure where he stood now, or maybe he knew and just did not care.For the sake of Sarah, I did try to do that. I tried to dismiss that. This weekend was intended to act as a break from nearly everything. It was just a chance for connection in a space far from all the noise. The calculated charm of Adrian, the convenient timing of Adrian, and even the very presence of Adrian were starting to get under my skin.Still, I stayed quiet. Watched. Waited.I broke somehow when I watched him go after her toward the outdoor patio. I just followed without any thought.I went outside and heard the final part of his speech because the outside air was cool though my chest had heat. That same, tired speech. It is just the I-still-care line. Fishing emotionally is done for a response.

Adrian POVI stood at the edge of the farmhouse veranda as I observed the final streaks of gold vanish from the sky. The echo of Sarah’s anger was deeper than I expected beside the way she looked at me—as if I didn’t matter anymore. I hated it that I still cared for that, not because I was all surprised. Her eyes held so much distance as she looked at me like I was a shadow she’d long since outgrew.And Alessandro played as the knight in shining armor of course. He shields her and clutches onto her like she’s his prize for enduring whatever perfect man pain he pretends to carry. I noticed it in his eyes today. He doesn’t trust me. Good. He shouldn’t.I'm not going anywhere, but neither one of them seems to understand this. I can’t.We are connected, no matter just how much Sarah tries to erase me. Alessandro will not ever be in a position to replace all of these connections. Gabriel is a part of me so that is a fact that cannot be changed. Whether we like it, that tied us together. I i