Page 48 of Forsaken Promises

I feel a flare of anger at the thought of anyone treating my mother with such disrespect, but she just shakes her head, a proud smile on her face. “Your father saw what was happening and stepped in. He told Rork to keep his hands off his wife or he’d break every bone in his body.”

My eyes widen, impressed by my father's bravery and protectiveness. “Wow,” I breathe, “that must have been intense.”

“It was,” my mother agrees, “but it was also a turning point for us. Seeing your father stand up for me like that, seeing the love and loyalty in his eyes… it changed everything. Suddenly, we weren’t just two strangers thrown together by circumstance. We were a team, united against a common foe.”

I sit back, absorbing her words as I try to imagine what it must have been like for her to feel that spark of connection, that sense of being truly seen and valued by the person she had once resented and feared.

And as I do, I feel a glimmer of hope flickering to life within me. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a way for Dom and me to find that same sense of unity, that same bond forged in the fires of adversity.

But even as the thought crosses my mind, I feel a pang of doubt, a whisper of fear that I can’t quite shake. Because as much as I want to believe in the possibility of a happy ending, I can’t help but remember all the ways Dom has hurt me in the past.

He’s not like my father, not the kind of man who would step in to protect me from harm or stand up for me in the face of danger. He's the kind of man who could get bored of me, who could leave me broken-hearted and alone once again.

And as much as I want to trust in the power of love to conquer all, I can’t help but wonder if I’m setting myself up for another fall, if I’m fooling myself into believing in a future that will never come to pass.

But then I look at my mother, at the strength and resilience shining in her eyes, and I feel a flicker of determination sparking to life within me. Because if she could find a way to make her marriage work, if she could build a life filled with love and laughter and joy…

Then maybe I can too. Maybe there’s hope for me and Dom, even in the midst of all our struggles and doubts.

I’ll keep fighting for that hope, keep holding on to that glimmer of possibility.

Because that’s what it means to be a Marino woman. To be strong, even in the face of heartbreak and uncertainty.

22

DOMINICO

Ipace my room, my mind racing with thoughts of Sofia and how I can win her back. I refuse to take no for an answer, refuse to let our marriage crumble before it’s even had a chance to begin. I know I need to do something big, something bold, to show her that I’m serious about making this work.

And then it hits me. I’ll take her out for a night on the town, woo her with all the romance and charm I can muster. I’ll show her that I’m not the same selfish, immature boy who broke her heart all those years ago. I’m a man now, a man who knows what he wants and is willing to fight for it.

But first, I need to wait for Sofia to get home. I glance at the clock, my foot tapping impatiently as the minutes tick by. Finally, I hear the sound of the front door opening, and I sprint downstairs, my heart pounding with anticipation.

Sofia looks surprised to see me waiting for her, her eyes wary as I approach. “Dom? What’s going on?”

I give her my most charming smile, the one that's never failed to make women swoon. “Go get dressed, baby. I’m taking you out for a fancy dinner tonight.”

She blinks, clearly taken aback by my words. “What? Why?”

I take her hand in mine, my thumb stroking gently over her knuckles. “Because I want to spend time with my beautiful wife. Because I want to show you how much you mean to me.”

For a moment, I see a flicker of hesitation in her blue eyes, a flash of the hurt and betrayal that still lingers between us. But then she nods, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Okay. Give me a few minutes to get ready.”

She disappears upstairs, and I feel a rush of excitement and nerves coursing through me. This is it. This is my chance to make things right, to prove to Sofia that I'm the man she deserves.

When she finally descends the stairs, my mouth drops open in awe. She’s wearing a stunning red dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, the deep V neckline revealing a tantalizing hint of cleavage. Her long, dark hair is swept up in an elegant updo with a few loose tendrils framing her face. And her lips… God, her lips are painted a deep, sultry red that makes me want to kiss her senseless.

“You look… incredible,” I manage to say, my voice rough with desire. “Absolutely beautiful.”

A faint blush stains her cheeks, and she ducks her head shyly. “Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

I grin, offering her my arm as I lead her out to the waiting car. Our driver takes us to the fanciest restaurant in the city, a place known for its exquisite cuisine and romantic ambiance.

As we step inside, I can’t help but feel a thrill of pride and possessiveness. Every eye in the room is on Sofia, on the stunning woman by my side. And she’s mine, all mine.

But as we take our seats and the waiter pours us each a glass of champagne, I feel a flicker of uncertainty. Because as much as I want this night to be perfect, as much as I want to sweep Sofia off her feet…

I know that it’s going to take more than fancy dinners and pretty words to heal the wounds between us. It's going to take time, patience, and a willingness to confront the demons of our past.

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