Page 149 of Grumpy Boss of the Year

"What?”

“He has apparently known for a while.”

“Oh, no."

And I can tell from Skye's tone that she feels the same betrayal I do. "Yeah, I guess he just decided to tell me today."

"Why? Were you about to find out?"

"I think a guilty conscience, you know? I was going on about my mom and wanting to learn opera, and I figure maybe he felt bad."

"I guess he's not all evil. I mean, maybe he didn't know how to tell you. Maybe he didn't think it was his place."

"Sure, I mean, that makes sense, but if he loved me like he said?—"

"I mean, he did tell you, right?"

"I guess. I don't even want to talk about him right now." I sigh deeply. “What am I doing in my life, Skye? What the fuck am I doing?”

“I don’t know. You’re in Italy, getting engaged."

"Really?"

"I'm sorry, that was bad timing for a joke, but is the engagement off?"

"I don't know. To be honest, it's off as far as I'm concerned. He's only doing this because of my dad and this business deal. Well, fucking screw my dad. I’m going to tell him tomorrow in no uncertain terms that I’m not getting married to save him. He’s a liar. He manipulated me. He—" I burst into tears again."I'm sorry, I just don't even know how to feel. I just… I'm heartbroken, and—oh, Skye."

"Darling, I love you, and I'm so sorry about this. I'm going to fly over there tomorrow, okay?"

"You don't have to."

"I know I don't have to, but I want to. You need someone there who's got your back, and while I do think that Liam may have your back, I know you're not ready to hear that yet."

"I don't even want to hear that man's fucking name again. I hate him."

"I know, but more importantly, what are you going to do about your mom?"

"I don't know," I say softly. "I just don't know."

Chapter Thirty-Four

Liam

I never thought I would know what it would be to love someone more than you love yourself, granted I love Harriet and Daisy more than life itself, but I never thought I could love someone else, a woman, in that way. Yet, as I wake up the next day, my heart is still broken. I understand the depth to which I love Elisabetta. I can still feel her body throbbing as she cried. She was devastated, hurt, and while I did not cause all of the pain, I definitely caused a certain amount, and I know I need to make up for that. I look at the time and it's 5:00. I leave the room and go down to the kitchen. As I expected, Maria is in there making breakfast.

"Good morning, Mr. Gallagher," she says, looking at me in surprise.

"I need to speak to Franco."

"He's still in his bed, sir. He?—"

"I need to speak to Franco now." I stare at her as she bristles and looks annoyed. "You've been with him a long time, haven't you?"

"Yes, sir." She nods.

"Long enough that you know the truth?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," she says, shaking her head and turning back to the porridge on the stove.

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