Page 63 of Forsaken Promises

Almost, but not quite.

Because even as I come down from my incredible high… I can’t shake the nagging sense of unease that coils in the pit of my stomach. The feeling that this is just a temporary reprieve, a fleeting moment of connection that will soon be overshadowed by the harsh realities of our fractured relationship.

And sure enough, as we lie there in the afterglow, our bodies still tangled together and our hearts racing in sync… I feel the anger and the hurt start to creep in.

I’m still furious with him, still reeling from the way he so casually tossed aside my feelings. One night of passion, no matter how intense and all-consuming, can’t erase the wounds he’s inflicted, the trust he’s shattered with his careless words and selfish actions.

I pull away from him, my skin suddenly cold and clammy where it was pressed against his. I can't bear to look at him, can’t stand the sight of those hazel eyes that can make me forget myself, forget all the reasons I should be running as far and as fast as I can in the opposite direction.

“This doesn’t change anything,” I say, my voice hard and unyielding. “You can’t just fuck me into submission, Dom. It takes more than hot sex to make a marriage work.”

He sits up, his brow furrowed in confusion and frustration. “What are you talking about, Sofia? I thought we were moving past this.”

I laugh, the sound harsh and bitter even to my own ears. “Moving past what, exactly? The fact that you don’t really care about me, that you’re just coasting through this marriage because it's easy and convenient?”

Dom's eyes flash with anger, his jaw clenching tight. “That's bullshit, Sofia. I’m not coasting through anything. You think this is easy for me, being with you? You’re pissed at me more often than not, constantly riding my ass about every little thing. You’re a fucking pain in my ass, most of the time.”

I flinch at his words, feeling them like a physical blow. “Well, if I’m such a burden, why do you even bother keeping me around? Why not just cut me loose, find some other girl who’s less work, less trouble?”

Dom scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Oh, sure, like it’s that fucking simple. In case you’ve forgotten, princess, we’re in an arranged marriage. Our fathers would never accept a divorce.”

His tone is mocking, dripping with sarcasm as he continues, “And an annulment? Yeah, good luck with that. Kind of hard to claim the marriage was never consummated when we can’t seem to stop fucking each other, even when we’re fighting.”

I feel a flush of anger and humiliation wash over me, my cheeks burning with the sting of his words. “Is that all I am to you, Dom? Just a convenient piece of ass, someone to fuck when you’re bored or stressed out?”

He throws his hands up in frustration, his expression twisting with irritation. “For fuck’s sake, Sofia, that’s not what I'm saying and you know it. Stop putting words in my mouth and twisting everything I say.”

I shake my head, feeling the sting of tears burning behind my eyes. “I’m not twisting anything, Dom. I’m just trying to understand where I stand with you, what I mean to you. Because from where I’m sitting, it feels like you’re just going through the motions, like you’re only with me because you have to be.”

Dom's eyes narrow, his voice lowering to a dangerous growl. “You want to know where you stand with me, Sofia? You want to know what you mean to me? Fine, I'll fucking tell you.”

He leans in closer, his face just inches from mine as he speaks. “You drive me fucking crazy, you know that? You push my buttons and test my patience like no one else ever has. You’re stubborn and infuriating and so goddamn difficult that sometimes, I want to scream.”

I can’t take it anymore, can’t stand to listen to one more word of Dom’s twisted justifications. My heart is pounding in my chest, my blood boiling with a potent mix of anger and betrayal as I yank on my clothes, not caring whether they’re rumpled or inside out.

“Sofia, wait,” Dom calls out as he reaches for me. “I’m not done explaining. You can’t just leave like this.”

But I’m beyond listening, beyond caring about whatever half-baked excuses he has left to offer. I need to get out of here, need to put some distance between us before I say or do something I’ll regret. I hear him mutter something that sounds like “goddammit”, but I’m too far gone to care.

“Watch me,” I spit out, stalking toward the door. “I’m done, Dom. Done with your lies and your mind games, done with being treated like a fucking afterthought in my own marriage.”

He tries to grab my arm, to pull me back, but I wrench away from his grasp. “Don’t fucking touch me,” I hiss, my eyes flashing with a warning that even he can’t ignore. “You’ve lost the right to put your hands on me, to try to control me. I’m not your property, Dom. I’m not some toy you can play with and then toss aside when you’re bored.”

I turn on my heel and storm out of the room, slamming the door behind me with a satisfying bang. I can hear Dom shouting after me, his voice muffled and distant as I race down the stairs and out into the afternoon air.

But as I step out onto the driveway, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps and my heart racing with the adrenaline of my anger… I realize too late that I’m not alone.

A figure emerges from the shadows, tall and broad-shouldered and emanating a sense of danger that makes my skin prickle with unease. As he steps into the light, I feel my blood run cold with recognition and dread.

Luca.

He’s been watching me, I realize with a sickening lurch of my stomach. He’s been biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

“Sofia,” he says, his voice smooth and silky as poisoned honey. “What a pleasant surprise. Trouble in paradise, I take it?”

I back away, my eyes darting around for some means of escape. But he’s blocking my path, his body a solid wall of muscle and menace.

“Luca,” I manage to choke out. “What are you doing here? What do you want from me?”

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