Chapter 51

Viola POVBefore the meeting ended, I confirmed the arrangements for my inheritance.My share would be entrusted to an independent manager, with statements sent directly to me. Anything requiring my consent could not be signed on my behalf by the family or a future husband.Alessandro also confirmed before everyone that there was no engagement between us that either of us was obliged to honor.My grandfather proposed no further marriage alliances.Nicholas walked to the head of the table, laid down the family signet ring, and handed over the documents he had already signed.“I’m stepping down as Don. The advisers will take charge during the transition. A successor can be agreed upon separately.”My grandfather’s expression darkened.“This has only just been settled, and you’re leaving?”“The accounts, personnel, and authority to be transferred are all listed.”“North Harbor is stable now. There’s no need for you to leave.”“But I don’t want to continue.”Nicholas spoke calmly.“I used

Chapter 52

Viola POVHis smile froze.After a long time, he asked, “Have you stopped loving me?”“When I heard you were hurt last night, I was still afraid. When I see you, I still remember what we had.”I tightened my grip on the tissue.“But I don’t want to wake up every day waiting for a message from you anymore.”“I won’t make you wait again.”“I believe you want to change. And these past few days, you have been changing.”His eyes reddened.“Then why…”“Because I’ve changed, too.”“When you used to say, ‘Leave it to me,’ I felt safe. Now, when I hear those words, my first thought is whether there’s something else you won’t tell me.”He looked at me without defending himself.“I don’t want to question you every time something happens, then force myself to trust you. That wouldn’t be fair to either of us.”“I can wait.”“But I don’t want you waiting for a future I don’t want to return to.”He couldn’t speak. I reached out, touched the back of his hand, then lowered mine.“I remember how you ca

Chapter 53

Viola POVThat evening, Mother asked me back to the estate.There was chicken soup on the table, with only two bowls.“I’m going to Switzerland with Camilla tomorrow for her treatment.” She ladled soup into my bowl. “Before we leave, I wanted to make this for you.”I sat down without picking up my spoon.“When you were little, I made this every time she came home from the hospital. You wanted some, too. I always told you there was other food in the kitchen.”Mother looked down at the rim of her bowl.“I knew you were hurt. But whenever someone had to give in, I always turned to you first.”I waited a long time before asking, “Why?”Her fingers trembled.“Because you would agree. Later, when you stopped asking, I pretended you didn’t need anything.”I lowered my head. Tears fell into my bowl.She had known all along.I had tried so hard to be good, afraid of making things difficult for her, hoping that one day she would turn and see me without being asked.“I can’t tell you it’s all rig

Chapter 54

Viola POVAlessandro drove me to the airport.Before I got out, he handed back my father’s unsigned proposal concerning the transit rights.“This ends here. You don’t owe me any business rights, and you don’t owe me a marriage.”I put the document away.“Next time you’re in Paris, dinner’s on me.”He smiled.“That I can accept.”When the plane took off, I didn’t snap my SIM card or change my number.This time, I wasn’t afraid of anyone finding me. It was simply time to go back to work.On my first day back, a colleague had my locker key waiting for me. She asked how things had gone in Italy.“It’s all settled,” I said.She hugged me, then handed me a work schedule we needed to discuss. I hung up my coat and sat down at my familiar desk.The reports on my Italian assets arrived on time, handled by the manager I had chosen. Whenever a signature was needed, they asked me directly.I hadn’t returned what my father left me. I didn’t have to give up the life I had chosen to keep it, either.

All Chapters of He Married My Sister. I Stopped Waiting: Chapter 51 - Chapter 54

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54