All Chapters of The Woman He Couldn’t Keep : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Sophie’s POVConvincing Julian that Francesca had lied to him wasn’t difficult. I didn’t even have to try that hard.The moment he answered my call, I broke down. I told him I had been taken, that I had tried to get back to the wedding, and that Francesca knew exactly what was happening. I didn’t give him every detail because I didn’t need to. Julian kept asking where I had been and why I hadn’t called sooner. I cried harder every time he asked, telling him I hadn’t been able to reach anyone.I told him Francesca had known I wasn’t coming and had still gone through with the wedding. And from the way he went quiet, I know he believed me.I stayed away for a few more days before going home. There was no point rushing back. When I finally walked through the doors of my parents’ house, everyone had already accepted that Francesca was Julian’s wife.I hated hearing it.I didn’t explain what had happened to me. I stuck to the same story I’d given Julian. I had been kept away, Francesca had

Francesca’s POVI spent most of the morning going through the pieces I wanted to take to Elise. I had made more jewelry over the past few weeks, but I didn’t want to carry everything with me.I picked out a necklace with a small gold pendant, two pairs of earrings, and a bracelet I had finished a few days ago. They were the pieces I was most confident about. I packed them carefully and left for Elise’s shop after my shift at the café. I had been thinking about this visit since she sent me her address.Calling her place a shop was a big understatement. What I was standing in front of was a whole empire. Elise was in the lobby when I walked in, talking to a customer. She noticed me a few seconds later and smiled.“Francesca. You came.”“I told you I would.”She laughed and motioned for me to come over after the customer left. I followed her to her office and I was marveling at how big this place was. When we got to her office, I took the pieces from my bag and placed them carefully on

Francesca’s POVWhen I got to the café the next morning, I had partly stopped thinking about the previous night.There was no point making something bigger than it was. Alessandro asked for my number, we talked for a little while, and that was it. I had more important things to think about, especially Nadia and the showroom.I changed into my work clothes and tied my apron around my waist before taking my place behind the counter. Rosa was already there, going through the supplies we needed for the week.“You’re early,” she said.“I’m trying something new.”“What?”“Being responsible.”She looked at me for a second before laughing. “Let me know how that works out.”I smiled and started helping her sort through the deliveries. It was easier to focus once I was busy, but Nadia’s offer kept coming back to me. She asked me to bring some of my pieces to her showroom, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t waste the opportunity.During my break, I pulled out my phone and looked through the pict

Francesca’s POV“I’m looking for Francesca Waldorf.”“I’m afraid I don’t know anyone by that name,” Rosa replied.The man repeated my name, then asked whether she was sure.“I manage this place. If she worked here, I’d know.”I couldn’t help smiling. Rosa was a terrible liar, but she was good at it occasionally. The man asked another question. I couldn’t make out the words, but Rosa’s answer came clearly.“I’m sorry I can’t help you.”A few moments later, the bell above the entrance rang. I waited until I was certain he’d left before stepping out.“Is he gone?”Rosa glanced at me. “Yes. Who keeps sending these people?”“I don’t know.”I didn’t know but if I was to guess, I’d say Julian. I had no intention of speaking to or ever seeing Julian again. So I hope he just moves on with his life. “Thank you,” I told Rosa.She waved me off. “Just don’t let this become a regular thing. I’m running a café, not a private investigation service.”“I’ll try to keep that in mind.”I returned to wor

Francesca’s POVFriday came quickly and I was excited. Alessandro picked a restaurant I’d never have imagined him to pick. It was behind an unmarked door on a street that looked low key abandoned. But the inside was beautiful. “You own this one too?” I asked, once we were seated.“No. I just know the owner.”“Is there anyone in this city you don’t know?”“A few people.” He poured the wine before the waiter could.The food came in courses I didn’t ask for, and he ordered without looking at the menu, meaning that he’d been here a lot. “Tell me something I don’t know about you,” he said, halfway through the second course.“Like what?”“Anything. I know you work at a café. I know you make jewelry. I know your family name. I don’t know much else.”I turned my glass slowly. “I always thought I’d live in my family home for the rest of my life.”“You never considered leaving?”“Not really. I imagined they’d marry me off to some man that would also want to keep me locked up. I never imagined