Ex Boyfriend.
t absorbed the heat of the summer and returned a nearly tangible humidity that clung to the skin and made breathing feel heavy. It was there that
hough in reality, all I cared about was that no one suspected what I truly thought. The light was dim, only a few old spotlights
an intruder in his kingdom, even though we hadn't exchanged a word yet. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes were fixed on an indeterminate point, but when he lifte
rolled voice, without moving. "
ps seemed stuck, lacking the strength to expr
now every corner of this pl
tying us together without either of us wanting to admit it. I noticed his eyes scanning every detail
ad an edge. "There are traditions, loyalties, and a history you
what I was getting into, that my intentions went far beyond the illusion of an arranged marriage. Bu
dded, stepping a little closer. "Not everything you see i
xture inside me: attraction and rejection, fascination and fear. He was a man who commanded both respect and fear, an enigma w
d him with a mixture of admiration and caution. And within that web of emotions, I realized that Nicolo
tingling with every word. I wanted to know more, but I also wanted to protect myself,
" I asked, putting on the façade of
that didn't quite so
le nor a clean business. That your commitment to Marco isn'
e shadows of the barrels s
ping even closer, almost brushing against me w
was hoping to find power, security, money, a place where I could stop being invisibl
, the smell of wine and wet wood as mute witnesses
Nicolo was still watching me, his cold,
. "Because in this house, everything is paid for. And somet
shifted in an instant. The winery wasn't just a place to store wine; it
consumed me: I wanted to run and stay; I wanted to hate him and desire
e I had left behind. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my fast-beating heart, my hands still sweating, thou
did that really mean? What had happened with Marco? What secrets did this family hid
ding, but everyone worked to make sure everything went well, moving cautiously, as if an invisible hurricane was approachin
" she asked in a low voice, not botheri
ng to sound casual, though a part of me wanted to screa
nd, without saying mor
n't just a wedding; it's a game where no one wi
dding with Marco to consolidate our position. But it also made me think of Nic
deep voice, the way his words had pierced through my armor of sarcasm. I closed my eyes an
fail. Not now. I had