Page 106 of Savage Vows

“I need to fix this,” I tell her.

“Yeah, Matteo,” she agrees. “You do. If she matters to you, if you don’t want to lose her forever.”

Her harsh words are like a knife to my heart.

I thought it had stopped beating when Clara issued her ultimatum, but I was wrong. It had only stopped temporarily.

Until Alessia brought it back to life.

The ache I’m feeling now is so much worse than anything I’ve experienced before.

I’m left breathless, unable to think, unable to function. To lead.

“I can’t lose her,” I confess, my voice cracking.

And I can’t.

Now that she’s gone, I see how empty my life is.

I miss her. The silence in the house is oppressive. Our empty bedroom mocks me. And her studio. The place should be filled with her creativity. Instead it is vacant, dark. As hollow as I feel.

“So what do you want to do about it?”

“There are things I need to say.”

“Matteo, this isn’t about you and what you?—”

“And I need to listen.”

She’s silent, and in the background, a splash reaches me, as if she’s filling a glass. Then slowly she asks, “You want to listen?”

“Yeah.” Even though she can’t see me, I nod. “I do.”

“Hang on a second.” The phone is jostled, and she laughs. Quietly she scolds, “Nico! Stop. I’m on the phone.”

I have no idea what’s happening, but Nico might be giving her a quick kiss. Then I hear,“Get your ass upstairs to bed.”

“Shh,” she tells him.

Grinning, I know I’m eavesdropping, and I don’t care.

Nico fought hard for Bella’s love, and now he’s not ashamed to let her know how much he cares, how much she means to him.

Their love is strong, and it seems to grow deeper each day.

Love.

In the background, their antics continue.

There’s something else there too. Joy, maybe? They like being together, want to be together.

My earlier thought slams into my head again.

Love.

Then it hits my heart.

I love Alessia.

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