A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER LVIII

Matteo moved closer to Mia, his steps deliberate, his presence overpowering. He loomed over her, his eyes dark and menacing, a smirk tugging at his lips. Mia sat frozen, feeling the weight of his gaze pierce through her, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You really thought you could come between me and Bella?" Matteo's voice was dangerously low, filled with a venomous amusement that sent chills down Mia’s spine. "You thought you could take her place in my life? Do you even understand how foolish that was?"

Mia’s breath hitched, but she couldn’t muster the courage to respond. Her lips trembled as she tried to hold back her fear.

Matteo crouched down to her level, his eyes locking onto hers, the smirk still playing on his face. "Isabella was mine long before you even had a chance to scheme your way in." His voice dropped even lower, almost a whisper. "And you thought you could take her position?"

He chuckled darkly, shaking his head as if amused by the absurdity of the thought. "Look at what you’ve done to yourself, Mia." He leaned in closer, his smirk widening. "You know better than anyone that I have no mercy for betrayal. You know what happens to those who cross me."

Mia’s eyes widened with terror, her body trembling under the weight of his words. She knew all too well what Matteo was capable of—what he did to those who betrayed him. Her breath quickened as panic set in.

Matteo’s smile never wavered. "You should’ve thought twice before playing this game, Mia. You could’ve walked away, kept your loyalty, but now…" He stood up slowly, towering over her. "You’ve made your choice. And now, you’ll face the consequences."

As Matteo turned to leave, Mia, overcome with fear and desperation, lunged forward and grabbed his leg. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him, her voice breaking.

“Please, Matteo, I’m begging you. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for things to go this far. It was a mistake, a terrible mistake!” she cried, her hands trembling as she held onto him.

Matteo paused, his jaw clenched, but he didn’t look down at her. His expression remained cold and unreadable.

"Mercy?" he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "You think after everything, after you betrayed me, there’s room for mercy?"

Mia sobbed harder, her fingers tightening around his leg as she pleaded, "I only did it because I was scared! Carter manipulated me, he told me lies about you, about her! I thought—I thought I was protecting myself. Please, Matteo, I never wanted to hurt you!"

Matteo finally glanced down at her, his eyes void of any sympathy. "You chose your path, Mia," he said with a cold finality. "You made your decisions. And now, you’ll live with the consequences."

As Matteo walked out of the office, he could hear Mia’s anguished scream calling his name, echoing off the cold walls. His heart momentarily twisted, but he steeled himself. He had no room for weakness now, not after everything that had happened.

“Take her,” he instructed his men, who had been waiting just outside the door. They exchanged glances but nodded, moving to escort Mia away. The sound of her cries faded as they pulled her from the room, but Matteo felt the weight of her betrayal press heavily on his chest.

Memories flashed through his mind—moments of laughter in the office, her capable handling of difficult tasks, her unwavering support during stressful times. He had once considered her a trusted friend, almost like family. But that bond was shattered now, and it cut deeper than he cared to admit.

He paused for a moment, closing his eyes as he remembered the late nights they’d spent working together, the inside jokes they shared, and how he had relied on her for more than just work. She had been loyal, efficient, and smart—a sister in spirit. Yet, the realisation that she had aligned herself with Carter, betraying his trust, felt like a dagger to the heart.

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Matteo stood at the entrance of the hospital, the sterile scent of antiseptic and the distant sounds of bustling activity filling the air. He could only found peace beside her.He watched Isabella move gracefully among the patients, her hands deftly tending to their needs, her voice soft and reassuring. She radiated warmth and compassion, qualities that had drawn him to her in the first place.

A lump formed in his throat as he took in the sight of her, and a tear slipped down his cheek. He ached to hold her, to feel her warmth against him, to hear her laughter once more. But the weight of his recent actions and the pain of their separation held him back. It felt like an invisible barrier separated them, one he couldn’t just cross without facing the consequences of what had happened.

His heart raced as he recalled their last encounter—the moment she had walked away from him, leaving him shattered and alone. Guilt washed over him like a cold wave, drowning out the longing. He had let her down, and now he didn’t know how to mend what had been broken.

Matteo took a step closer, his feet moving almost instinctively, but as he approached, he hesitated. What would he say? How could he explain the whirlwind of chaos that had engulfed his life? Every instinct told him to reach out, but the fear of making things worse held him in place.

He noticed a nurse approach Isabella, and his stomach twisted as he watched them converse, her laughter ringing out like music, a sound he had grown to cherish. He felt a surge of jealousy at the thought of someone else making her smile, and it reminded him just how much he missed being that person for her.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to leave. He couldn't bring himself to her after all he did to her. As he walked away, he cast one last glance over his shoulder, capturing the image of Isabella in his mind.

He would find a way back to her. He had to. The thought kept him moving forward, a small flicker of hope in an otherwise tumultuous time.

Both of them suffered in their own love bouncing in between life.