A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XXXVI

As Carter walked into his house, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. The meeting with Isabella had gone well, better than he could have hoped for. Reconnecting with her after all these years stirred something deep within him—those feelings he had buried back in medical school, when life had taken them down different paths.

He walked into his study and paused in front of a large frame hanging on the wall. It was a photo of him and Isabella from their med school days. They were smiling, carefree, with the weight of their future careers still far off in the distance. Carter stared at the photo for a long moment, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Back then, Isabella had been his friend—someone he had admired, both for her dedication and her kindness. But there had been more. He had liked her, maybe even loved her. Life had gotten in the way. The demands of his sudden departure from it all. He had chosen a different path, one that led him far from the world they had both aspired to enter.

But now, fate had given him another chance.

Carter leaned back in his chair, the image of Isabella from earlier still fresh in his mind. She was still the same—strong, determined, beautiful. The feelings he had once buried were surfacing again, stronger than ever. Meeting her again had awakened something within him, a desire to not only reconnect but to perhaps explore what could have been.

He let out a deep breath, his eyes lingering on the photograph. "This time," he whispered to himself, "I won't let her slip away."

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Matteo leaned back in his chair, frustration gnawing at him as he tried to focus on the stacks of paperwork littering his desk. He missed Isabella, it felt like an eternity since he had last seen her. Every unanswered call, every silent message made his heart race with worry.

He was lost  in his thoughts when one of his trusted men, Leo, enter who had been keeping tabs on Isabella.

“Leo, give me an update,” Matteo demanded, his tone sharp.

“Everything’s quiet on her end, boss,” Leo replied. “But she’s been working hard at the hospital. I heard she met with Carter D’Angelo. They had coffee together today. Looks like they’re close.”

Matteo’s grip tightened on his chair, the name sending a surge of irritation through him. “How close?”

“I’m not sure, but they seemed friendly. He’s been asking about her, trying to know more about her life. No signs of anything serious yet, but I’ll keep watching,” Leo assured him.

Matteo’s jaw clenched at the thought of Carter. “I want you to keep me updated on every interaction. If he tries to push any further, I need to know about it immediately.”

“Understood,” Leo replied.

“I need you to find out everything you can about Carter’s relationship with Isabella. I want to know what they talk about, how often they meet.” Matteo added

Leo nodding his  head, said “I’ll have eyes on her Sir, and I'll report back regularly.”

Matteo couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that settled in his stomach. He had no intention of letting anyone, especially Carter, come between him and Isabella.

His thoughts turned dark as he stared out the window, the city skyline bathed in the dim light of dusk. Carter D’Angelo was more than just a business rival; he was a threat. Matteo needed to protect what was his.

Matteo sat in silence, his thoughts racing. He knew he was walking a fine line, but with Carter lurking in the shadows, he had no choice but to protect Isabella, even if it meant crossing boundaries. He couldn’t let her be another casualty in his dangerous world.

Matteo took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. He wouldn’t let fear dictate his actions. He’d fight tooth and nail to keep Isabella safe, even if it meant delving deeper into the underworld he wanted to shield her from.

The dim light of his office casting shadows across the room. He had been consumed by work, but his thoughts were never far from Isabella. Despite the chaos of his business life, he had made it a priority to keep a close eye on her. Even from a distance, he wanted to ensure her safety, especially now that he had heard about Carter’s unexpected appearance in her life.

He leaned back in his chair, fingers rubbing his temples, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Carter D’Angelo—the CEO of D’Angelo Enterprises and his rival in business—was more than just a competitor; he was a potential threat to everything Matteo held dear. The last thing Matteo wanted was for Isabella to be swept up in whatever game Carter was playing.

Matteo stood and paced the room, his mind racing. He thought about the carefree times he and Isabella had shared, the laughter, the warmth of her presence. He remembered how their time together had started to deepen, how she had begun to let him into her life.

But what caught him the most is "How did Bella know Carter?" He said to himself, thinking.