The Hateful Heavy Heart | 18+

43 - Pity F*ck *New Chapter*

Ruggiero

I was sitting in bed, my head resting on the headboard, reading John Medina's Brain Rules for Baby. I'd managed to snag a copy of the book at a local bookstore in Memphis a few days before we left for Venice. Right now, it served as the perfect distraction.

The energy hadn't felt the same since we returned to the rental. We'd been... quiet. We ate our leftovers with minimal conversation over an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, took turns showering, and split to occupy ourselves.

While I read, she'd been watching a comedy on her phone.

"Tonight was something, wasn't it?" she finally said, breaking through the silence.

I dragged my attention away from the book and turned my attention towards Jace. Her hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, rogue flyaways framing her face. She eyed me expectantly, awaiting my reply.

"Yes, amorino, it was." I folded the top corner of the page I was on and closed the book. I set it aside on the nightstand to give her my full attention.

The night's events were fresh on my mind. Three hours had passed and I was still upset by how I handled it.

It was our first day in Udine and I was already on the verge of fucking it up. How dare I let my mother talk to Jace the way she did? What the fuck was I doing on the bathroom floor? Why did we even—

"Did you hear me?" Her jaw clenched.

Idiota, you're looking right at her, I thought.

My ears warmed in embarrassment. Shaking my head, I said, "No, I'm sorry, amorino. What did you say?"

"I said, thank you for giving me the choice to leave. I've sat through an uncomfortable conversation in the past," Jace said.

"Don't tell me it was—"

"It wasn't Garret," she said quickly, shaking her head. "No, it was some time ago, but still. I know how it feels to have to do that."

"Oh, amorino, come here," I said. As she scooted towards me, I gathered her in my arms. "I would never force you to sit through something like that. I'm so sorry we even went."

She reached a hand up and ran it through my hair. "No more apologizing, Rue. We've already talked about it. I just wanted to thank you."

"I understand, but I could've done more for you. I could've—"

Jace cut me off again. "No more apologizing," she said firmly. She put her hands on each side of my face, forcing me to make eye contact. The softness that was usually in her blue eyes was absent. "Promise me you won't apologize anymore for this night."

"Amore mio, you can't expect me not to utter a single apology about how tonight went. It was disastrous," I countered. I moved my gaze to her collarbone. I didn't want to meet her gaze anymore and see her disappointment. "I didn't defend you the way I should have."

"Ruggiero, look me in the eyes and promise me," she demanded. "Promise. Me."

I met her gaze once again. Reluctantly, I said, "I promise."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I wanted to break down, but I wouldn't do it. Not tonight. Not again. At least, not in front of her.

I tried to look away, but she kept her hands on my face, a silent refusal to let go. I blinked, a tear rolling down my face. She was so beautiful, so perfect, and I let her down. Her curious gaze didn't leave me for a second.