An Unexpected Romance

Chapter 29

CHAPTER 29

“Wait, that’s not what I meant!” Gema rushed out, fumbling with her words and her hands. “I meant, that is, I was agreeing with you, about…everything you said, not just…the marriage…part.” Gema ran a hand through her hair nervously, not knowing what to say. “I mean that, I know Kai needs both of us, and I know you would provide for us, but…” 

“What? What other reason could you possibly need to marry me?” Vistos asked, frowning faintly now. 

“I don’t want another marriage of convenience, Vistos.” Gema said sharply. “I tried that once, remember? And it was awful-”

“I am not Doug.” He said fiercely, his hands fisting at his sides now. “I would never treat you as he did.” 

“You’ve already done worse, Vistos, that letter was horrible-”

“I did not write that god forsaken letter!” Vistos snapped at her, his accent becoming thick as his anger increased. “How many times must I say that to you? We have both been wronged in this situation, but what does it even matter now? We have our son, and that should be enough for both of us.” 

“Well it’s not.” Gema said softly, looking at Vistos, seeing the man who she used to love so much it hurt, the man she’d thought was invincible, could do anything. “That’s not enough for me, Vistos, I’m sorry.” 

Vistos put his hands on his hips indignantly and spun away from her, walking to the French doors of his room that led onto a small patio ledge. He heard the faint click of the door behind her as Gema let herself out, and it only made his anger increase. No way he’d be able to sleep tonight, he thought wryly, moving outside onto his patio and taking the stairs down to the pool. Stripping himself bare, Vistos stared at the water in front of him, barely seeing it. She didn’t want him, it was official. She’d already said she wouldn’t have picked him to be a father. Now Gema didn’t find him fit to be a husband either. He wasn’t good enough for her, he thought bitterly, he just wasn’t enough. He’d never been good enough, not enough for his father, who’d abandoned his family for a new one complete with a new son. Vistos hadn’t been enough for Julie, who’d loved his money and not himself, who’d brought other men into their marriage bed because he hadn’t been enough there either. Cazzo, Vistos swore, I just want to forget. Diving head first into the pool, he swam laps as fast as his strong arms and legs could carry him. He sliced through the water like a blade, swimming as if he belonged in the sea itself, until his arms and legs were jelly, until his vision was cloudy with chlorine, until his self doubts melted away.  

Yawning over breakfast after barely sleeping the night before, Gema rested her cheek on her arm and covered another yawn. Kai giggled at Gema from his chair, squirming around. 

“Mama you’re still asleep!” 

Gema smiled wearily and Kai laughed again. Vistos strode into the room then suddenly, looking commanding in another one of his infamous suits, not a curl out of place, and his face set in stone. He stopped beside Kai, resting a hand on Kai’s shoulder, who looked up and grinned. 

“Vistos!” 

“Buon giorno. Have you finished your breakfast?” Vistos asked Kai, ignoring Gema completely. Kai nodded and Vistos patted his back. “Buono, go on up to your room and pack all your favorite toys, because you’re going to spend a little while with your Zia Lana and your cousins, alright?” 

“Yaay!” Kai slipped from his chair and ran from the room, and Gema shook herself awake, frowning as she realized what Vistos said. 

“Lana is here?” Gema asked, and Vistos snatched Kai’s dishes off the table with more force than necessary and placed them by the sink. They were eating in the breakfast nook in the kitchen, and Gema pulled her the robe she’d thrown on over her nightshirt and underwear securely closed.