Page 81 of Own Me

"No fucking idea."

The grimness of Massimo's tone had Ezio looking at Giancarlo with a raised brow, but his oldest brother only shrugged. The last time Ysabel Ossini's name came up in conversation, Massimo had made it clear in not so many words that Ynez's sister was not one he approved of. Did that completely change just because the woman was now hisfidanzata?

Just as Giancarlo's phone rang, and he had to excuse himself to take Cesare's call, the door to Dr. Rivera's clinic finally opened, and the first to come out was Cattleya, whose steps came to a stunned halt when she saw Ezio Marchetti standing in front of her.

Ysabel, whose head was bowed, immediately bumped into Cattleya's back, and as the other girl stumbled straight into Ezio's chest, a pair of hands suddenly gripped Ysabel's shoulders to swing her around.

A gasp escaped Ysabel when she found herself staring straight into Massimo's dark eyes.

"What did you come here for?" Massimo demanded.

Six

THIS MAN...COULD HAVEfallen in love with me five years ago.

The thought popped out of nowhere as soon as Massimo filled her vision, and Ysabel realized dazedly how such a thought changedeverything.Guilt still lingered in her heart, and while she would've done anything to keep this arranged marriage from hurting Ynez—-

Anything, that was,exceptto give up her last chance to see what could've been.

Massimo's jaw hardened at Ysabel's inability to answer. Her prolonged silence spoke volumes, and it forced him to confront a truth he still found particularly galling.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

What if his earlier suspicions were right? What if shewaspregnant with someone else's child, and his grandmother saw it as reason enough to cancel their arranged marriage?

That was for the best, was it not? Ysabel was an unnecessary and unwanted complication in his life...regardless of how earth-shatteringly explosive their kiss had been.

Let her go, Marchetti.

It made no sense to feel possessive towards a woman he barely knew, and what hedidknow of her was not at all complimentary.It would be the height of foolishness to still choose to marry her when—-

"Why are you all here?"La Stregawas the last to step out of the clinic, and her exasperated tone drew everyone's attention to her in an instant.

"Are you sick,signora?" Sarica, as always, was first to speak, and she had inadvertently answered Potenziana's question as well with her words.

This was all Giancarlo's doing,the older woman realized with a silent sigh. Giancarlo was extremely thorough when it came to the family's safety, and all of their bodyguards reported to him directly. He would have known right away of her intention to visit the hospital, and she could see why he would've seen it as a cause for concern.

"Are you here because of Ysabel?"

Massimo's abrupt question had the lady in question turning red, but Potenziana only regarded her grandson with amusement. "Should I be flattered or concerned that you are not worried about my health?"

A flush darkened Massimo's features at his grandmother's words.Shit.His grandmother was right. Even though they had all been issued a clean bill of health by the family physician, there was still a chance that it was Potenziana who needed to see Dr. Rivera and Ysabel being with her was merely a coincidence.

"Chiedo scusa, nonna—-"

Potenziana smiled. "There is no need for an apology, Massimo. Especially since youareright—-"

All eyes swung to Ysabel, whose cheeks immediately turned red under everyone's scrutiny.

"We came here because of yourfidanzata."

"Signora, per favore!"Ysabel was dismayed to realize Massimo's entirefamigliacould soon be privy to the truth behind their visit.

"And according to Dr. Rivera..."

Massimo's handsome face turned impassive. If his suspicions proved to be true, he already knew what he had to do.

"Yourfidanzatais without a doubt—-"

---