Page 123 of Flawed

"Would you like me to start you a fitting room?" she asks.

I shake my head. "No, it won't be necessary. My daughter and my friend took up the biggest one you have. I think I'll just slip inside with them."

She smiles bigger, stating, "I know who you're talking about. Your daughter is very beautiful. How old is she?"

"Thank you. She'll be fifteen in a few months," I acknowledge with a twinge of sadness. Before I know it, Zara will be out of the house, and it all seems to have flown by way too fast.

"I would have said seventeen," the woman adds.

My chest tightens. "Yep. She takes after me. I was the same way."

"Well, she's beautiful. I'll come check on you in a few minutes to see if you need anything," the sales lady voices.

"Great, thank you," I reply.

She focuses on another woman.

I pull two more garments off racks on my way to the dressing rooms then glance at the shoes before going through the entrance. The happy feeling I've had since Pina's return reignites.

Since she got off the drugs Biagio forced her to take, she regained her memory. Tristano proposed, and we're shopping for our outfits for the rehearsal dinner.

I keep waiting to see Luca appear, but then I remind myself that he doesn't know where I am.

And as much as I've craved him over the years, I've decided I'm never going to the club again. I can't keep putting myself in dangerous positions in order to see him. He promised me he would find Pina. But he never did. Months passed, and he did nothing. I thank God daily that Tristano rescued her.

So I've not seen him since the night I went to his penthouse. Some days, it takes everything inside me not to return, just to point out he never loved me. If he did, he would have rescued her.

He wouldn't do the Abruzzos' dirty work.

I wish I could say I don't have feelings for him anymore, but anytime they pop up, I no longer let myself dwell on them. What the Abruzzos did to Pina proved how vile they are, and that has to include Luca.

When Pina returned, she had lost so much weight that she was down to her bones. They starved her. It's been a few months, and she's finally starting to regain her figure.

I'll never forgive Luca for putting her through that.

I'm about to turn the knob on the dressing room door when Zara groans in disgust.

I freeze, eavesdropping, unable to help myself.

Pina claims, "I've always loved your birthmark."

Hints of anger fuel Zara's voice as she admits, "I hate it."

My chest tightens. She's never said that to me before. I almost step inside so they don't catch me listening, but I stay planted.

Since Pina got rescued, Zara and I have been back to our old selves. She hasn't been an angry kid or asked for credit cards and tattoos. We've spent a lot of quality time together, like when she was little. I've loved every minute of it. And our household has been calm and peaceful, with no arguing.

Zara proclaims, "It's ugly."

"What are you talking about? It gives you character. Plus, who doesn't want a guardian angel looking out for them?" Pina adds.

Zara's voice flattens. "It's just a constant reminder."

My pulse races faster, and my heart hurts.

Pina questions, "A reminder of what?"

"My mom didn't tell you?" Zara inquires.

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