Alle Kapitel von Temporary Alliance: I Married a Man Who Loves Another: Kapitel 41 – Kapitel 50

— Nothing much. It was just about the company. Silly matter.She seemed to distrust, but didn't insist. We stayed in silence for a few seconds, and then I tried to pull the focus back to her.— Your foot... is it better?She smiled, a little shy, nodding.— It is. Thank you for taking care of me. I looked at the clock. It was already past midnight.— I need to go — I murmured, getting up slowly.Chiara held me by the wrist before I took the first step.— Stay. Spend the night with me.I closed my eyes for a second. It was tempting. It was comfortable. But it wasn't right.— You know I can't — I answered, without facing her. She sighed, letting go of my arm little by little.— I know... I just... — she stopped a little, as if trying to swallow the words — I just wanted this agreement with Larissa to end soon. Then you can marry me.I swallowed dry. I didn't answer immediately. I just approached and gave a soft kiss on her forehead.— Good night, Chiara.She nodded with a tired smile, a

Before the security guard said anything, I heard his voice. That voice I wanted to forget, erase from my head.— You're only leaving here after you eat something.I turned and saw Alessandro stopped there, outside, with an apple in his hand.An apple? Was he playing with me?I raised my eyebrow, not understanding his little game.— What the hell is wrong with you, Alessandro?He just looked at me. His lip still bleeding slightly because of the bite. A part of me felt guilt. A very small one. But I felt it.I looked at the apple again. Then at him. I sighed deep, with patience at the end.— Alright. Is this what you want? For me to eat? — I yanked the apple from his hand with force, as if it were a consolation prize. — There.I took a big bite, almost as if to prove something. I chewed staring at him. It wasn't for him. It was for my child.— Now tell them to open this damn gate.The security guard looked at me, hesitant, clearly waiting for his signal. Alessandro, with that expression

I arrived home with my body tired and my mind spinning in a thousand directions. As soon as I pushed the living room door, I came face to face with Alessandro sprawled on the sofa. He was in a black t-shirt, sweatpants and with an air... drained. He was resting his head on his hand and had his eyes half closed, as if he was trying to keep focus on something on the TV, but without success.He raised his gaze for a second when he heard the door. Our eyes crossed, but I didn't say anything. I just kept walking, straight toward the stairs.— Larissa — he murmured, but his voice was hoarse and too weak.I pretended I didn't hear. I followed my way, step by step, until, in the middle of the stairs, I heard him start to cough. Strong. That way I already knew.I stopped on the second step before the top and closed my eyes."It's not my problem. Not anymore", I thought, trying to convince my heart.But it was strange… Alessandro rarely got sick. When he did, however, it was always that way: st

(Alessandro)I was already on my way to the restaurant, but still with the scene stuck in my head: Rafael kneeling beside Larissa, holding her with that worried look as if he were the right man at the right time. I breathed deeply and diverted my gaze before doing something stupid. I wanted to go to her.I wanted to have been the one there. But I couldn't. Not today.Today was the day to face another truth — or at least try to discover one.The restaurant was remote, discreet, with few people at the tables. Cauã was already there, sitting in a corner with the same worn-out jacket as always and that way of someone who observes the world more than talks to it. I approached and he raised his chin in greeting.— Alessandro.— Cauã. — I sat down. — Did you order anything?— Not yet. I wanted to wait for you.We called the waiter, ordered two coffees and something light to eat.— Okay, talk. What's so important?He took a thin folder from his side bag and placed three developed photos on th

He stared at me slightly, suspicious. I kept my gaze firm, without giving room. I couldn't reveal I was trying to put together pieces of the murder of Chiara's ex-husband.— You're digging into something. And knowing you... it has to do with Chiara, right? I rolled my eyes.— Don't start, Diogo.— I'm just saying. You live trying to protect this woman as if she were a noble cause. But what about Larissa, huh?I sighed, tired. Here we go again.— Diogo, don't mix things up.— I'm not the one who mixes them. It's you. Always was. Larissa was there, by your side. And you treated her as if she were invisible, just to go running after someone who doesn't even trust you.— Chiara went through things you don't understand.— And Larissa did too. But guess who held the fort with her when you weren't there?— Are you trying to say what? That you got close to her just to hit me?The question came out before I thought. It came on impulse, in the heat. And I regretted it the same second the words