Page 90 of Bittersweet Endings
This was really happening. Everything was changing.
When we finally pulled up to the private jet, the sight of my entire family standing there waiting for me made my heart thump harder in my chest. My father, my brother, even some of the extended family. Everyone.
They were waiting. No questions, no judgment, just... support. I felt the weight of their eyes on me as I stepped out of the car, Carmine right beside me. It was like they were saying goodbye to their daughter, their sister, but they weren’t angry. They weren’t disappointed. They understood.
Carmine stepped forward, nodding at my father, who gave him a respectful, almost-wary look. But my dad didn't say anything, just gave me a quick, tight hug, telling me how much he loved me and whispering that he was just a call away. I felt my brother’s eyes on me too, his hand resting on my shoulder for a brief moment.
“Take care of her,” my father said, his voice gruff. “And ifyou hurt her, you’ll answer to me.” He extended a hand, and Carmine took it.
He didn’t flinch as my father squeezed, just gave a nod. “I’ll keep her safe.”
My mom, sister, and brother surrounded me. Each offering a weepy goodbye. Except for Marco, who made me promise to call him after I popped out the kid and I was ready to go clubbing. Even Bella offered her congratulations.
The tears wouldn’t stop, but not a single part of me feared my decision. This wasfor me. Not them. They had their own lives. Now, it was time I built one for myself.
I turned to face the jet. My future. My heart pounded, the weight of what was to come sinking in.
“Let’s go,” Carmine said, his hand resting lightly on my back as he guided me towards the steps of the plane.
I climbed up first, turning once to look back at my family—at everything I was leaving behind—one last time.
This was it. There was no going back.
“You’ll see them again, baby. Whenever you want.” Carmine kissed my temple. “Lucky and his lapdog aren’t invited to Cali, though.”
I couldn’t help the sad chuckle that slipped free. This man loved me, but not enough to drop his guard around my brother and Apollo. Made sense.
As the door closed behind us and the engines roared to life, I felt the last remnants of my old life slip away. Carmine’s presence beside me was all-encompassing, but it was also the only thing that felt certain. It was only us now.
And maybe that was enough.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
CARMINE RAGETTI
Iwas actually surprised we made it off the ground before she started having a panic attack. Once the seat belt sign turned off, Octavia ran to the bathroom. I left her to it, but as minutes passed, I grew suspicious.
I heard the noise before I even reached the door. At first, I thought she was crying—soft, choked sounds muffled behind the bathroom door. I lifted a hand, tapping a few times. “Octavia, open up.”
Nothing. Just the ragged sound of her breathing, the rustle of movement, then another heave. My stomach clenched as realization settled in. She wasn’t crying; she was throwing up.
I exhaled, resting my palm flat against the door. “Tave, let me in.”
“No,” she croaked out, her voice hoarse.
I frowned. “No?”
“I don’t want you to see me like this.”
I blinked at the door. “Are you fucking serious? I’ve seen you naked and hallucinating, little doll. Vomit isn’tany different.”
Silence. Then the sound of the sink running and her rinsing out her mouth. Still, she didn’t open the damn door.
“Octavia,” I repeated, this time softer. “Open the door.”
A long pause. Then, finally, the lock clicked.
I pushed inside, and there she was, white-knuckling the counter. Her skin was paler than usual, a light sheen of sweat on her forehead. Her eyes met mine in the mirror, uncertain, wary.
