I wear his name like a scar.
Alessandro Rossi stole everything from me; my freedom, my future, the lie I told my father to keep him alive. He thinks I'm a tool to be used, a bride to be displayed, a Fraga to be broken. He thinks the ring on my finge...
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I woke up to the soft rustle of the curtains swaying in the breeze, the faint scent of saltwater drifting in from the sea. It took me a moment to realize what felt off. My hand reached out instinctively, searching for Alessandro's warmth next to me, but the bed was empty.
I sat up, the cool night air brushing against my skin, and glanced around. The room was empty, Alessandro wasn't here.
Sliding out of bed, I padded across the room in bare feet, the soft glow of the moon guiding me. The balcony doors were slightly ajar, and that's when I saw him-sitting in the dark corner, shirtless, wearing only a pair of black shorts.
His legs were bouncing ever so slightly, his elbows resting on his thighs as he stared out into the night. Even from a distance, I could tell something was off. He looked tense, his legs bouncing slightly in a restless energy.
Nicotine withdrawal.
He hadn't smoked in days, not since we'd gotten back together. Alessandro had said he didn't want anything to jeopardize my health-or the twins'. He'd quit cold turkey without hesitation, like it was the easiest thing in the world. But I knew it hadn't been.
I stepped out onto the balcony, the cool tiles chilling my feet. He didn't notice me at first, too caught up in whatever storm was brewing in his head. But the moment I reached him, his eyes flicked up, meeting mine.
Without a word, he pulled me into his lap, his movements fluid and instinctive. His hand slid to the small of my back, holding me tight, while the other gently brushed my curls away from my face. The way he looked at me made my breath catch.
It was a look full of hunger, desperation-like he was drowning and I was the only thing keeping him afloat.
"Why are you up, tesoro?" His voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried that all too familiar darkness. His eyes searched mine, scanning every inch of my face. "Any discomfort?"
I shook my head, my fingers trailing lightly over his shoulder. "Looking for you," I said, my voice just as quiet.
He didn't respond right away, but I caught the way his jaw tightened, his gaze darting away from mine. That darkness, the one I hadn't seen in so long, was back in his eyes. It sent a chill down my spine, worry creeping into my chest.
"What's wrong, baby?" I pressed, my voice firmer this time.
He didn't answer. Instead, he looked out at the sea, his grip on me tightening ever so slightly. It was like he was trying to shield me from something, a war raging inside him that he didn't want me to see.
"Alessandro," I said again, reaching up to cradle his face, forcing him to look at me. His eyes were shadowed, haunted, and it broke my heart. "Talk to me. Please."
I could see him working through it, whatever had been holding onto him all night. His hand on my back gripped me tighter, like he was holding on for dear life.
