All Chapters of He Lost Me at Mistress: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Smack.Shaking with rage, I slapped him hard across the face."How could you say that?"Being illegitimate was the deepest shame of my life.I never thought the person I trusted most would be the one to tear that wound open.But he did.Dante touched his cheek, his eyes going cold."What? Am I wrong? Or did you actually think you'd become Mrs. Locatelli?"Each word was brutal.Every syllable cut like glass.Like he'd never loved me at all.I swallowed my tears. "If you were never going to marry me, then what were we all these years?""Does it matter?" he said, frowning.Like I was the crazy one.Tears slid down my face. "Of course it matters. I won't let my child grow up like I did—illegitimate, judged from birth."I didn't get to choose how I was born.But I could save my child from the same life.No matter what.He gave a careless laugh."Then get rid of it."His voice was light.Like it meant nothing.Before I could react, he added, "I'll give you money. Go get

The hallway was packed. Everyone watched, tossing out cruel comments.I lowered my head and tried to leave.Then a black school jacket, smelling like clean laundry, landed over my shoulders.I looked up.Gentle eyes met mine.He was tall enough to block me from everyone else."Had enough? If not, dump the water on me."Dante didn't raise his voice, but nobody questioned him.Wanda's expression changed. She left with the others, annoyed.The crowd slowly broke apart.I slipped off the jacket and held it out to him."Thank you."By then, I was already numb.I'd convinced myself someone like me didn't deserve kindness.He didn't take the jacket."Keep it. You don't want to get sick."Before I could argue, he turned and walked back into class.After that, he started showing up more.When I ate alone in the corner of the cafeteria, he sat across from me with his tray.When my classmates shut me out on purpose, he always appeared right when I needed help.Even when I walk

"Dante, you have to believe me. I didn't mean to. I promised I'd accept her. But she mailed those intimate photos to the Ambrosi estate and shoved her pregnancy test in my face. I just snapped."She was twisting everything.One quick look would prove her story made no sense.But Dante would never look."I know," he said.In the hospital bed, I clenched the sheets.'It's okay,' I told myself. 'The baby's gone. I'm free now.'But Wanda wasn't done with me.She tugged Dante's arm and looked up at him."Dante, she'll try something else next time. I'm scared she'll keep clinging to you."Then she added, "Just like her mother."Dante's face went hard.Wanda bit her lip, seeing her chance."Why don't we make sure Alessa can't have kids? Then she can't use another baby to trap you.""In your dreams." I pushed myself up.My reaction only made Wanda madder."Dante, look at her. She doesn't regret anything. You can't go easy on her."Dante stared at me.His fist slowly loosened

She kept the apartment spotless.A few potted plants lined the windowsill. The kitchen had pots, pans, and dishes.Back in Santoria, she'd never had a place of her own.The Ambrosi estate wasn't home. Neither was Dante's apartment.This was hers. No one could throw her out whenever they wanted.***Alessa slowly settled into her new life.Every morning, she got up at seven, worked in the lab until six, and sometimes stayed late.Dr. Bellandi took extra care of her, often inviting her and a few colleagues over for dinner.The days slipped by, quiet as the lake at the foot of the Alps.Over the next two months, Dante searched for her like he was losing it.He even called off the wedding.Wanda finally snapped and stormed into his office, eyes red. "Dante, are you really in love with her?"He leaned back in his chair, face blank. "That's my business. It has nothing to do with you.""Nothing to do with me?" Wanda let out a cold laugh, tears sliding down her face. "She was car

She was quiet for a moment."Not really."Colsen didn't push. He just nodded."What about now?"Alessa watched sunlight shimmer across the river and thought for a second."I'm still getting there."Colsen smiled.He lifted his coffee cup and lightly tapped it against hers."Then here's to things getting better."Six months later, Alessa got a message.Wanda wanted to see her.Alessa agreed.Wanda had lost a lot of weight since they'd last met. Her makeup was flawless, but it couldn't hide the exhaustion in her eyes or the dark circles beneath them."You've changed a lot," Wanda said.Alessa looked at her without speaking.Wanda's voice dropped, almost like she was talking to herself. "You always kept your head down before, like you could be crushed at any second. But now you're sitting here with your back straight. I've never seen you like this."Alessa took a sip of tea. "People change.""They do." Wanda sighed. "Some people change. Some don't."After a beat, she ask