𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐑 |

chapter twenty-six

Enzo

Feels like the car has been moving for hours, but it's only been thirty minutes. Planning a sham wedding has to be by far the most stressful thing and I don't even want to do it. We've been traveling all day so my mother can make sure everything's as planned and nothing is messed up.

There's been times where my father's tried to communicate with me or check on me even, but it always failed. He took my moms side as always. Telling me that what happened was supposed to happen and that it was the smartest move.

Bullshit.

It didn't help with the negative feelings running through me. I've never felt as awful as I do now with the way everything ended. I've considered texting or calling to apologize and tell her that everything my mother said was a lie. But I couldn't. God, how did I let this get so bad?

Maia hasn't made it any easier either. She's been blowing up my phone since I told her the news and there's no doubt that she is pissed with me. I feel enough guilt for not defending Vera and keeping my promises, I didn't need Maia scolding me to add to it.

"Enzo," my father called. "Are you alright?"

"Just peachy," I said plainly.

He sighed. "Look, Enzo, we talked about this–"

"Then don't talk about it anymore, dad. I'm done talking about it and so should you."

Another deep sigh from him.

"Have some more respect, Enzo," my mother snapped. "I'm growing tired of your damn behavior and disrespect."

"Right," I muttered with a scoff.

"Enzo–"

I hopped out of the car when we arrived home. She was still yelling at me from the car by the time I unlocked the front door and stepped over the threshold.

"Enzo Alvarez!"

Clenching my jaw, my mother spun me around by my shoulders, angrily pointing a finger at me.

"Now I have held my tongue for this long, but you are pushing my limits," she snapped. "You can be mad all you want, but you will not disrespect your father when he's just worried about you."

"Worried about me? If any of you were worried about me, this stupid wedding wouldn't even be happening."

Her eyes narrowed before my dad stepped forward, gently grabbing her arm and pulling her back.

"Let's give Enzo some space, hm? We've been riding around all day and wedding planners are going to be walking up and down the house later. Just give him a moment."

They both shared a look before their eyes found mine. I simply nodded when they ushered me off and I made my way upstairs, to my bedroom. The urge to lock myself in the room for the rest of the day was high but I could predict the lecture I'd get if I did so.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I slid my shoes off and tucked them into a nearby corner. My room still looked the same as when Vera left. I didn't have the energy to change anything about it. Her fragrance was still here too. It was strong, but a good strong.

I inhaled through my nose then ran my hands down my face, scanning my room. I'm such an idiot.

I promised the simplest, easiest things and I was too much of a coward to fulfill them. All I did was prove that I was exactly who she thought I was from the beginning. When all I wanted was to be the complete opposite and do better than the first time.