Page 29 of When She Loves
Vale gets out of her seat and tips her head in the direction of the bathroom. I stand up to go meet her, but before I can even take a step, Rafaele grabs my forearm.
I glare at him. “What?”
“Where are you going?”
“I need to use the restroom.”
His gaze jumps between Vale and me.
If he tries to stop me from talking to my sister, I swear I’m going to lose it. I’m already on edge. Maybe he sees that in my eyes, because after a moment he lets me go.
“Don’t take too long.”
I march out of the room. Vale is waiting for me just outside the bathroom. I rush over to her and give her a tight hug. “How’s Gem? Is she feeling okay?”
My sister presses a kiss to my cheek before she pulls away and looks me over. “She’s fine. We took her to a doctor as soon as she and Ras got to Italy, just to make sure everything is alright.”
“Ras and her are good? He forgave her for leaving him in Greece?”
Vale smiles. “Of course, he did. He’s completely smitten with her. Can’t stop talking about how excited he is to be a father.”
A grin pulls at my lips. It’s the best thing I’ve heard all day. “Thank God. Fuck, Vale. I’ve been so worried about her since we said goodbye. No one would tell me anything. It wasn’t until I met Vince to walk me down the aisle that I heard Gem got away all right.”
“God, it must have been awful being kept in the dark.” Vale squeezes my hand. “But you don’t need to worry anymore. Gem is safe with us, thanks to you.”
We step inside the bathroom, and I lock the door behind us.
Vale’s expression falls. “Cleo, I wish there was something we could have done to prevent this from happening.”
“There wasn’t,” I say. “What’s done is done. I’ll take care of myself, but you have to promise you’ll take care of Gemma.”
“Of course we will. She’s got me, as well as Ras. But I’m worried about you. You have no one here to support you.”
“It’s fine. Maybe I’ll convince Rafaele to let the two of you visit.”
“Are you going to be okay living with him?” She brushes her palms down my arms, her eyes filling with tears. “You’ve always craved independence and now…”
And now I’m a prisoner. Expected to serve at the will of my tyrannical husband.
I hide my devastation from Vale because there’s no point in upsetting her. What’s done is done, and most importantly, Gemma and her baby are safe.
I force a casual shrug. “You know how I am. Rafaele doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into by marrying me. I’ll drive him up the wall. I bet he’ll be sick of me soon.”
“Be careful with him. Please. He’s clever and dangerous. Far more than Papà. Don’t push his buttons.”
Oh, I’m planning on giving his buttons a serious workout, but I don’t want to worry Vale, so I say, “I’ll be careful.”
She gives me a wary look that says she doesn’t quite believe me. “If you need anything, just call me. Gemma and I are only a phone call away.”
We hug again before she goes to use the toilet, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I stare at myself in the mirror. A bride is supposed to feel beautiful on her wedding day. My hair is shiny and bright. My wedding dress is flattering. My jewelry is impeccable.
But I don’t feel beautiful.
I feel trapped.
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