جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 270

Sarah POVWednesday morning came as something wrapped in such a sharp clarity contrasting sharply with the way that I felt. I faced the mirror, carefully adjusting a cream blouse over my navy pants, seeing slight hickey remnants that had nearly disappeared.The memory still burned not from pain, but it burned because of everything it signified. Alessandro's mouth, his desperation, his hands.My weakness. My anger. That still hadn't faded, the unspoken parts between us two.And then... his silence. His gift.I did finally allow myself to eat all of the cake after it sat there for two days on my counter. Not out of guilt. Not even hesitation. Just... fear. Still fear of just what it meant for if I accepted that he knew me quite so well. Alessandro embraced my form like a sinking soul. Alessandro himself remembered that exact seasonal cake from a tiny French bakery tucked away in Manhattan. That same one was the one I hadn’t mentioned in over a year.Every bite felt in a maddeningly famil

Sarah POVThe vehicle remained quiet for a brief moment after the doors closed. The area is only occupying the gentle whisper from off of the AC and the sound of traffic.I gazed out of the window, and I attempted for myself to focus on the skyline. Ester broke the silence first when constant noise echoed in my ears.“So,” she said slowly, “are we pretending as that didn’t happen?”I did not look toward her. “If Jessica is acting in a way like she owns the man I used to love in front of a boardroom that is full of people is ‘that’?” Then yes. I’d rather pretend.”Ester made a sound. Not quite a laugh. Not quite pity either. “She’s predictable. But him? Alessandro said “I didn’t expect that” however.I finally turned. “What are you saying?”She looked from her own window now then exhaled, “I’m saying… something felt off.”“Off,” I echoed flatly.She said, shifting then to face me, with her tone quieter now, “Yeah. The way that he just sat there.”“Leaned not in” and “Smirked not”. Didn’

Sarah POVSay it, Sarah.But I hadn’t.I hadn't said anything.Because I was afraid?Because I was angry.?Because somewhere deep inside?Even Alessandro himself, Adrian, my father, left in their wake all the wounds that still had me bleeding. He hadn’t asked me to forget… but yet.It had been begged for forgiveness.Only to trust in him was just what he asked of me.And I didn’t.I couldnt.Then it did not matter, not even then.He was not standing there, offering a love at the cost of every ounce of pride and control, stripped bare in front of me.He left finally then. His leaving was final. Anxiety scraped against my throat as intense urgent pain coiled in my constricting chest.Sarah, you asked of him to leave.No, No!!I moved my feet before I fully registered. I was so stupid.I hurried through the apartment, then, with trembling hands pulled the door and attacked the hallway. He reached it therefore was in the elevator when doors closed.With shoulders tense, his tall frame stoo

Alessandro POVI should not have uttered her very name.It struck me right as it left my lips. After fire, also after disbelief, there was a flicker in Sarah's face that shifted.“She snapped, full of venom in every word, and you're concerned because?”I held on to her gaze, and yet my jaw tightened up. “I know the appearance it gave.” “I also know your perception of me now.”I stepped closer. I had to. “But you’re wrong.”She didn’t budge. Her eyes narrowed. From where I stood, it looked like she had her claws dug into you, and you didn’t even flinch because of me? You didn’t move. You didn’t speak. You did nothing at all then to stop her.“I said, more sharply than I meant to say, “I did not know you were coming at that moment in time.” I was not performing it just for you, Sarah. “She acted like a goddamn parasite so I tried to hold a boardroom together.”Her reply came quickly and sharply. “Then you should have just shoved the parasite right off of your lap. I walked right on in lo

Sarah POVManhattan | 8:00 PMThe rooftop was empty when I arrived, just the city's low hum below and my heels' echo against concrete. Manhattan stretched beneath me in a web of lights out, and it was oblivious to the storm I’d spent the day faking in that glass conference room.Then I saw him.Alessandro stood near the edge, framed by the night, his sleeves rolled, his jacket off, his hair slightly tousled like he’d run his hand through it repeatedly since the meeting. He turned at the time that he heard me coming even closer and was in that moment without any tension. No company. No Adrian. No game.Just us.With a crooked smile that had not been on my face for weeks, he then murmured, “I'm glad you came.”Tired. Raw. Almost shy.I walked toward the table that was set up under the overhang past him lights low, real candles, two plates, and Montepulciano that I’d said reminded me of Amalfi summers. Of course, he remembered.“I'm glad I didn't hurl wine on you,” I said quietly settling