Page 101 of King of Omen

I strode away, my heart pounding, face heating, as I was hit with a freakin’ realisation.

I was fucked.

She had my heart and soul in her hand.

She was also strong in mind and resolved, refusing to fold just because I demanded it of her.

My Mia was proving to be one of the toughest women I’d met, bar Bianca and my mother.

She was pushing me to the limits of my patience, and for a man accustomed to everyone doing as I said, this was a new zenith and not one I was coping too well with.

Still, I figured she was worth it, and I was a dogged and fuckin stubborn man.

I wasn’t ready to give up.

So, I upped the ante.

MIA

He bombarded me with gifts.

A slew of deliveries showed up, with Mauri carting them to the guest room I’d turned into my study nook.

Its floor was soon covered in a trail of packages, each wrapped in shimmering paper and tied with a perfect bow, the colourful packages varying in size and shape,

The unboxing was fun, I had to admit. Taking a bite of the decadent chocolate truffles in one of the packs, the velvety decadence lingering on my tongue, I almost folded, enticed by the sweet effort to win me back.

Each gift was a crafted offering, a delicate weave of thought and intent meant to lure me back into his arms, from jewellery to skincare to vibrant bouquets.

Yet I let most of the wrapped packages sit on my desk unopened.

They were over the top, unnecessary, and a sign that he still didn’t understand me.

My love languages were time and acts of kindness, and I yearned for him to trust me and follow through with his actions.

He also had no idea that control for me was a sensitive topic, as was cheating. I’d seen my father do both to my mum and the deep pain it had caused her.

I’d never wish the same on anyone or even attempt to make one suffer by betraying them.

For Lorenzo to so causally accuse me of infidelity and, in the following breath, demand I obey him had been a push too far.

Nevertheless, I had to admit that the gifts showed his desire to make things right, but I needed more.

My stance was to observe his behaviour, looking for any signs of insecurity or the need to control me.

Would he have faith in me and our relationship without testing me with accusations and ultimatums?

Only time would tell.

As days passed, Lorenzo attempted to hold up his end of the bargain.

He made no further demands or allegations, going about his daily routine without issues. I admired his efforts to transform his ways, but I still hesitated to count on and open up to him. I needed time to see if this was a new chapter in our connection or another fleeting attempt at change.

I decided to put him to the test.

One day at breakfast, I announced, ‘I’m catching up with Sadie, my uni buddy, this evening.’

‘OK, Mauri can drive you -’

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