Page 82 of Vow of Desire

“I agree. Once we’re fully back to our health, I say we start again. A new chapter. What do you say?”

I look into his dark eyes – the eyes that used to intimidate me so much – and I smile because now, all I see is warmth there. “I say yes. I want that. I want to be free of my shame and feelings. I want to just be happy.”

“Then let’s be happy.”

“It’s hard with Sienna on my mind.”

“I know. But there’s nothing you can do. All you can do is focus on yourself. On us. What do you say?”

I know Sienna will always be in the back of my mind but I do deserve some happiness of my own. I just have to hope that Gabriel will change his mind and Sienna won’t have to marry Dante.

“Ok,” I answer. “Let’s focus on us.”

A new start, even if it won’t be easy.

Matteo and I begin our new chapter by spending the day at the botanical gardens. An indoor garden park that helps keep things cool during the hot day. It’s a beautiful place where I can feel some of the tension leave my body.

We hold hands. It feels like the most natural thing in the world.

“I like this,” I murmur as we walk around, gazing at the flowers. “I’ve never been here before. My life was always tea parties and getting my hair and nails done. I never bothered to explore the city much. There’s so much I was missing out on.”

“Me too. Work has kept me busy over the years. I need to make more time for us.” He presses a kiss to the back of my hand. “I love you, Luci.”

I can’t help but blush from his words. “I love you too. I’m still not used to hearing you say it though.”

“And I’m still in shock that you would say it to me after how we began.”

“But look at us now.”

Being with Matteo feels as easy as breathing.

I’m on a high from the gardens when we return home. But all of that is dashed when I see my father standing on our doorstep. We haven’t spoken since that day at his home.

“Dad?” I ask, slowly walking towards him. Matteo keeps back, either for his own safety or my father’s. I’m not sure which. “What are you doing here?”

“Can we talk? Please.”

“Of course.” The sight of my father is a hurtful one. I still love him despite everything but he betrayed me so much that that sting doesn’t just go away.

He walks closer to me and I can feel Matteo tense. But my father doesn’t pull out a gun. Instead, he pulls me into his arms. Tentatively, I hug him back. Being in my father’s arms makes me feel like a little girl again.

“I am sorry,” he says into my ear. “I never should have hurt you like I did. I was just so scared.”

“I know,” I whisper back. “I know, Dad. I know.”

“Please forgive me. I promise to never do anything like that again. I’ll give you the space you need. I won’t go after Matteo.”

“Did Gabriel speak to you?”

I can feel him nod. “He did. He talked some sense into me. I am so sorry, Luciana.”

“I know you were scared, Dad. But never do anything like what you did again.”

“I promise.”

“Then I’ll forgive you. Because I love you and I want you in my life. But if you ever betray me again, I’ll never speak to you again.”

He flinches but nods anyway. We pull back from the hug. “I promise. I am sorry, Luciana.”