Viola

Chapter 25

Authors note:

Okay, I know I know I know. I'm so sorry! I have been absolutely crazy busy but I am going to try to do better. I am working on the next chapter right now. Hoping to have it out for Tuesday, and from then on I am going to do my best for Tuesday and Friday updates. I am going to be completely honest, this and next week is exams so I might have absolutely no time but I will do my absolute best for you guys.

Thank you all for all of the love, support, patience, and for all of you who reached out to check in and tell me how much you loved and are missing the book. I hope you enjoy

Leo's POV

As we sit in the kitchen talking lowly, Viola smiling happily at the sight of us together, I think about everything.

Looking back on our relationship and how we met I find myself fading off to that first day in the mall.

*Flashback*

From my car outside of the mansion, I watch as Viola gets into a car, a pain panging in my heart each time I see her knowing I can't walk over to her.

You let them get her, it's your fault she had to deal with that pain. You don't deserve her forgiveness. My brain screams at me.

I blink out of my thoughts and watch as Uncle Alessandro's wife and a blonde woman load into the car along with a few bodyguards I recognize.

When they leave, I follow, trailing completely inconspicuously.

When the car pulls to a stop, I lift my hood up over my head, placing my sunglasses on and rolling down my sleeves so that none of my tattoos would show.

I quickly rushed into the mall before them, knowing that if I came in behind them and followed the guards would have to notice me.

Reaching the first store, I stop, quickly buying something small and cheap before rushing out, the whole time, never allowing her to leave my view.

Even while staring from afar for the short trip I can see her kind heart. Pulling over to the table with more chairs, making the guards eat, never putting up a fight with Veronica as she makes her try-on outfit after outfit. The same pangs echo through my chest as my body begs me to go snatch my Piccola into a hug. (Little one)

After lunch is eaten, I return to following them. I only falter in my step when Viola begins to bobble. I have to physically restrain myself from rushing over when she falls, my heart only starting up again when I see her fall comfortably into the arms of the boy.

Looking around, I see that my uncle and cousins have now flooded in, completely surrounding her.

I sigh in relief, knowing she's safe, but my breathing and every thought floating through my mind come to a crashing halt when my eyes glance through the sea concerned faces that are positioned around her.

One face, in particular, grabs my attention and I can't seem to tear my eyes from him.

His blue eyes flit over her frantically, showing such care despite the fact that I know he has no blood relation to anyone there. I furrow my eyebrows at the odd feeling that forms in my stomach. Who is he?

Probably feeling my burning gaze, he meets my eyes, I quickly avert my view, walking in the direction of a store.

'She's safe... she's safe' I repeat to myself as I walk away, dragging my feet knowing I don't want to go away from her, and strangely enough, feeling an odd pull towards the mystery guy. I shake my head free of the thought, I don't deserve it. I don't deserve that happiness, it's my fault she was hurt and she was unhappy, I don't deserve the happiness she was deprived of.