Page 133 of Punishing His Runaway Bride
The moment I saw her in that bathroom, I knew. All the rationality, all the excuses, all the reasons about "what's best for her"—they shattered completely when her scent hit me.
I would bind her to my side. She wouldn't go anywhere.
Even if she hated me.
When the car pulled into the garage, Juliet was already asleep.
I lifted her from the back seat. She turned in my arms, mumbled "Vivi," then drifted off again.
Carmen waited at the door, reaching to take Juliet, but I refused.
I bent down and carried Juliet myself, heading to the elevator from the underground garage.
Carmen followed beside me, hesitating. "Sir, Miss Colonna..."
Before she finished, the elevator opened, and I instantly understood her unspoken warning.
Bianca stood elegantly at the elevator entrance, apparently having waited a long time.
She wore a tight dress, makeup perfect, hair freshly styled. When she saw me, her face held an expression I knew too well, scrutinizing, dissatisfied, with a territorial anger.
"Where did you go, Ezio? I called you all day."
I didn't answer, carrying Juliet upstairs.
"Ezio!" She followed, voice rising. "I'm talking to you!"
Juliet stirred in my arms, brow furrowing, making a displeased whimper.
I stopped and turned to Bianca.
"Lower your voice."
"I—" She glanced at Juliet, lowered her voice but kept the sharp edge. "Where did you go? Why didn't you answer my calls?"
"Out."
"With who?"
"None of your business."
Her expression changed.
"Carmen, take Juliet to her room," I said.
Carmen nodded and hurried upstairs. Juliet opened her eyes drowsily, glanced around, saw Bianca, and instantly stiffened. "Daddy..."
"It's fine," I said. "Go sleep."
Carmen carried Juliet away.
I turned back to Bianca. Her expression was ugly, arms crossed over her chest, eyes boring into me, waiting for an explanation.
"I know, it was that dance teacher, wasn't it? I knew those women were all sluts with ulterior motives..."
I walked past her toward the living room without looking back.
"What's it to you? Who said you could come into my house again?" I said.
