جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 340

Sarah POVI woke to the scent of jasmine and cinnamon, the soft golden light in morning filtered through the air in our bedroom. My body still hummed because of the night before since it was tender and full emotionally, physically, in every way that was possible. I reached for the small roundness of my stomach. I then reached toward the warmth of the man beside me.Alessandro.He lay on his side with one arm around my waist so his breath brushed my shoulder in rhythmic waves. Even now that I was his wife he held me in reverence with his gentle touch even in sleep. There was a soft smile that played on his lips. I traced the line of his jaw despite my fingers. Slowly his eyes blinked open he stirred under my touch.He murmured with a husky voice from sleep, “Morning, Mrs. Dante.” Eyes glinted with mischief and something that was deeper like love.Cheeks warming, I smiled without control. “Morning, husband.”He chuckled then he brushed a kiss toward my bare shoulder then he leaned up to

Sarah POVThe day we officially moved into our new home seemed like a nice story's opening page, one characterised by each word we wrote together involving survival, hope, and love.Boxes existed all around though Alessandro's moving team had unpacked half of them already. Lavender and wood polish gave to the house a faint smell, with soft laughter echoing off the freshly painted walls. Gabriel toddled across the living room full of excitement like sunshine through windows his tiny feet pattered over the oak his giggles lit the space.I softly called from the stairs “Gabriel, careful, watch the corner!” and I smiled because he turned around with a proud grin only a toddler could manage since he stopped just before bumping into the couch arm.Alessandro was near the fireplace, and he unwrapped a large canvas. He leaned it against the wall as I watched, and it showed a beautiful oil painting of a sun-drenched vineyard in Florence, his hometown. Our hometown is what I suppose. Now that i

Sarah POVThe office had that late-afternoon hush, a quiet that came when most people had left or were counting down the final minutes before doing so. The files spread before me were lit by my desk lamp's small, warm glow. Instead, my very own mind kept drifting from the quarterly reports to something far more personal.Upon the screen, a familiar name lit up when my phone buzzed.Alessandro: Lunch?I smiled to myself. “Have you eaten?” was the code; he didn’t mean “let's have lunch” really.Me: Yes. I finished even the salad you insisted that I take.Seconds later, he replied.Alessandro: Good. Be certain that you stand up and stretch also."I could picture him at his desk with his suit jacket off shirt sleeves rolled his intense gaze softening only when speaking to me.“Yes, boss”, I replied back just before my fingers hovered over the screen.A pause. Then—Alessandro: Sweetheart, I would personally get you up from that chair if I were able.I did laugh at the very thought. I type

Sarah POVThe late-morning sun filtered through the tall clinic windows, and then the light caught the glass frames of picture-perfect family portraits that hung along each of the pale cream walls. One cushioned chair in the waiting room held me. My hand lay upon my stomach. Now seven months pregnant, every movement from our baby comforted and reminded, tiny kicks, gentle turns, that this little life inside me grew stronger every single day.Alessandro seemed tense to me despite his composure in his custom navy suit near me. His knee bounced in a slight way, and it was just a small tell. Only I am the one who would notice that tell. One of his hands had been resting upon his thigh as his other hand covered mine so his thumb brushed slow, steady circles over my skin. He did not scroll through his phone nor look at any emails like most men in his position might do. He fixed his entire attention upon me, as though the rest of the world could wait.Before I moved Alessandro stood up and o

Sarah POVThe office was in such a silent state on this Thursday afternoon. Tall windows sent soft golden light to warm the polished wooden floor. Blueprints as well as material samples for the Carmichael project scattered all over my desk now. My attention drifted toward my phone as I scrolled through photos of Gabriel at daycare that Alessandro had sent earlier on.I heard the faint, cautious throat clearing bring me back since the door opening was silent.I looked up as Lauren Parker stood there.A simple dress existed under her beige wool coat, silver hair getting pinned neatly back, but her hands twisted together just like she wasn’t so sure she belonged here.My voice, carrying with it surprise and guardedness, spoke “Lauren,” I then said. “I wasn’t expecting you.”“I know,” she replied softly, since she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “I was afraid that you would tell me not to come, but I… I should have then called.”Her voice broke slightly on the final words,