Page 207 of Sinful Lies

The silence wasn’t so sharp anymore. It didn’t cut as deep.

I’d let it out, all of it, and the world hadn’t ended.

Angelo hadn’t looked at me like I was broken beyond repair.

If anything, he’d looked at me like I was worth holding on to, even when I couldn’t hold on to myself.

My fingers traced the edge of the blanket.

He had stripped me bare—not just physically, but in ways I hadn’t thought anyone ever could. And somehow, instead of feeling exposed, I felt… safer.

Speak of the devil.

The door clicked open, and Angelo walked in, two bags in hand, his eyes finding me instantly. Always.

He moved toward the living room area, setting the bags down on the counter before shrugging off his coat and heading straightfor the bed. He sat down at the edge, close enough that I could see his cheeks were slightly red due to the cold.

“I brought food—chicken noodle soup and tea,” he said, his voice low, his eyes tracing my face.

I shifted against the headboard, my fingers picking at the blanket. “Thank you.”

“Feeling better?” he asked, leaning forward slightly.

I nodded, even as my hands fidgeted. “A little.”

“I bought you something else.”

My head tilted slightly, curiosity edging out exhaustion. “What is it?”

He stood, moving to where his coat hung on the chair. His hand dipped into the pocket, and when he turned back, a small box rested in his palm.

Without a word, he came back to the bed and placed it in my hands, his fingers brushing mine.

“Open it.”

I glanced down at it, my fingers brushing over the edges, but instead of lifting the lid, I set it aside on the bed. My hand reached for his without thinking, my fingers curling around his.

“Have you forgiven me, Angelo?” I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

His brows pulled together, the faintest shadow of something crossing his face—hurt, maybe. Or anger. It was hard to tell with him, the way he hid his emotions behind a mask so effortlessly.

“For what?”

“For lying. For stealing. For trying to destroy everything you’ve ever worked for. For ruining everything. For not—” I shook my head, unable to finish.

He shifted closer, his free hand reaching up to tilt my chin so I couldn’t look away.

His gaze pierced through me, darker than the night.

“Wasn’t this trip supposed to be the price for my forgiveness?”

My lips parted, but no sound came out.

“You brought mehere. This—” He waved his hand, a subtle motion, but it said more than any words could. “This was all I needed, Jade. It’s enough.”

“So, is that it?” I whispered, almost too afraid to ask. “Am Ireallyforgiven?”

His gaze softened. “Sì, amore mio.”

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