Page 34 of Shattered Oath
But I was furious. I'd had one of the most stressful days of my professional life, and he'd given me a lecture instead of support. Then, he disappeared. Not a single text to ask if I was okay. Not one call to check if I'd found a solution.
I wasn't going to reach out. I wasn't going to explain why I was upset or ask him to apologize. If he couldn't figure out what he'd done wrong, then maybe he hadn't changed as much as I hoped.
The next morning, I reached for my phone immediately, still half-asleep but desperate to check.
No missed calls. No messages from Femi.
I lay there for a moment, staring at the screen in disbelief. It had been almost twenty-four hours since our phone call. Twenty-four hours since I'd hung up on him, upset and overwhelmed. And nothing.
I knew he was busy. I knew he had work, responsibilities, a life that didn't revolve around me. But no one was that busy. Not when someone they supposedly cared about was struggling.
I put the phone down and got out of bed. Showered. Dressed. Made coffee in the suite's tiny kitchen and stood by the window watching the rain streak down the glass.
My phone buzzed.
I grabbed it, expecting—hoping?—
But it wasn't Femi.
Buongiorno, Bella. I hope you're feeling better today and there are no more fires to put out. Let me know if you need anything. —M
Matteo.
I read the message twice. Then a third time.
He was checking on me. Making sure I was okay. No agenda, no lecture, no expectation. Just kindness.
I thought about Femi's silence. About the vineyard in Tuscany, an hour away. About the way Matteo had listened to me yesterday, really listened, and then helped me solve my problem without making me feel small.
I made a decision.
My fingers moved across the screen before I could second-guess myself.
Actually, I think I'm going to take you up on that offer. Can I visit today?
7ISABELLE
My phone rang.I answered before I could second-guess myself.
"Bella." Matteo's voice was warm, surprised. "You want to come today?"
"If that's okay. I know it's last minute."
"It's more than okay. I'm pleased." I could hear the smile in his voice. "I'll send a car. One hour?"
"One hour."
I hung up and stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. My dark hair was still damp from the shower. My face looked tired, drawn. Gray eyes shadowed with exhaustion but bright with something else—anticipation, maybe. Or the desperate need for distraction.
I just needed to get out of my head. Something to keep me from staring at my phone, willing it to ring. Meg had everything under control at the boutique. The vendors were sorted. The models wouldn't arrive until tomorrow. I had nothing to do but wait and overthink, and the overthinking was killing me.
Every few minutes, my thumb would hover over Femi's name in my contacts. Every few minutes, I'd talk myself out of it. The exhaustion of that constant restraint was wearing me down.
Tuscany would help. Fresh air, beautiful scenery, and someone else's company. A reset.
I dressed quickly. Linen trousers, a cream blouse, comfortable shoes for walking. Nothing fancy, but put-together enough that I didn't look like a woman running away from her problems.
Even if that's exactly what I was doing.
