A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER LXIX

Matteo sat at his desk, the weight of the world pressing down on him like an anchor. His office was dimly lit, papers scattered across the surface, reminders of the countless deals he needed to finalize and the empire he was struggling to maintain. Despite the success he had achieved in the business world, his heart wasn’t in it. Every day felt like a battle, but it wasn’t the business dealings that occupied his mind; it was Isabella.

His phone buzzed on the desk, and he glanced at the screen. It was another report from one of his men. With a deep breath, he opened it, his heart racing as he read about Isabella's day. “She worked late again. Didn’t take her break.” The words blurred together as his thoughts spiraled. He hated that he was monitoring her like this, but he couldn’t help it. He needed to know she was safe, that she was okay.

“Matteo, you can’t keep doing this,” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He wanted to let go of this life—the constant threat of violence, the danger that loomed over them both—but every time he tried to distance himself, the pull of the mafia world dragged him back in.

His men reported to him like clockwork, detailing her interactions with Carter and the times they met outside the hospital. Each report chipped away at his resolve. The thought of Carter being so close to her made his blood boil, but more than that, it filled him with a sense of helplessness. He had pushed her away, but watching her move on felt like a dagger to his heart.

Matteo stood up, pacing the room, trying to shake off the sense of despair that gripped him. “I have to talk to her,” he decided suddenly. The idea of confronting her was terrifying, but he couldn’t stay in the shadows any longer. He needed to explain, to tell her that he was ready to leave this life behind for her. He was willing to fight for her, even if it meant exposing himself to the dangers he wanted to shield her from.

He picked up the phone, ready to call her, but hesitated. What could he say? “Hey, Isabella, it’s me. I know I’ve messed up, but I want you back, and I’m willing to leave everything behind for you.” Would she believe him? Would she even want him back after everything that had happened?

Matteo felt the walls closing in on him. He had built a fortress around his heart, but now it felt like a prison. The choices he had made, the secrets he harbored, all weighed heavily on him. He wanted to be free of it all, but every time he thought about making a change, the memories of what he had built—the power, the respect, the fear—held him back.

“What if I can’t leave?” he thought, staring out of the window at the city lights twinkling in the distance. The city that felt like both home and a trap. “What if I’m too far gone?”

He shook off the thought, his mind racing as he stared at the small sd card lying on the desk in front of him. It was the same one he had found clutched in Mia’s hand after the confrontation with Carter. His instincts told him that whatever was inside held the key to unraveling Carter’s plans and possibly clearing the path between him and Isabella.

But there was a problem—the pendrive was encrypted. He had spent days trying to figure out the password, knowing that time was running out. Every passing moment felt like a countdown to something worse, and the thought of Carter moving closer to Isabella only fueled his determination.

His fingers tapped impatiently on the keyboard as he tried various combinations—dates, names, anything that Mia might have used. “Come on, Mia,” he muttered under his breath. “What did you hide in here, and why?”

He leaned back in his chair, his thoughts swirling. The office was silent except for the faint hum of the computer. His men had been keeping Carter in check for now, but that wouldn’t last forever.