Page 1 of Shattered Choices

one

? Isabella

December

I patched up my heart and my pride and wrapped them in silk before I buried them away with everything I’d lost.

I buried them with all my dreams and hopes

It shouldn’t have been like this.

I should have known better.

It’s what I was afraid of. I gave my heart to a man who ripped it from my chest and stomped on it, and I was left to pick the pieces alone.

After I cried until there were no tears left, all that remained was emptiness in my heart and my belly. Now, I’m rising fromthe ashes in the depths of hell and covering my wounds with courage I didn’t know I possessed. I packed up the life I created for myself in a bag and made a step I never thought I would.

Now, I’m going back to the place I ran from.

The place I ran from so I didn’t end up like her.

My mother.

Dead.

Killed by her husband, my father, a man she told me love stories about.

A love I watched growing up and wanted for myself.

A love I ached for.

A love that crushed me.

But I’m not my mother, and I reject that path. I’m not a clueless teenage girl anymore. I’m a grown woman who lived and lost the most precious thing, and I’ve promised myself I will never let a man hurt me again.

And Salvatore Catalano will regret coercing me into marriage.

“Isa, are you sure you want this?” Cecilia passes me the papers I asked her to have drawn up for me.

“Yes. There is no going back. I’m leaving tomorrow and Salvatore will receive these as soon as I’m in the air.”

I take a deep breath, bite my lip, and sign my name before I can change my mind.

“Thank you for doing this for me. I know you already have a lot on your plate, and handling this isn’t even in your line of work.”

She takes my hand in hers, squeezing gently. “I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

“I know.”

“Does this mean I have a chance to charm you before you fly back?” Ethan passes drinks to Cecilia and me before smirking as he sits on the couch across from us.

Laughing, I turn to him. “You are something else, Ethan. Thank you for letting me stay here.”

“You mean hide here.” His smirk disappears. “I know I already said this, but I’m sorry about what happened to you. I know I can’t do anything, but at least I can support you.”

Ethan’s penthouse was the only place I knew where Salvatore couldn’t reach me and was secure enough until I could organize my return to Italy.

Pino arranged everything for me. He talked to my father, and he is waiting for me. Pino’s reassurance that he understands is enough for me to be sure this is the right move.

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