Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
"Whatever she says, you can bet it's a damn lie."
Those who were near enough to hear his words ended up gasping; the expressions on their faces made it clear that they knew who Ynez was...and just as clear was the fact that none of them intended to keep this incident to themselves.
"I'm so sorry, sir," the restaurant manager stammered. "I was not aware..."
"I have a restraining order against her," Massimo explained curtly. "I appreciate if you'd get the word out about this."
Massimo heard the incessant click of cameras as the other guests hurriedly took photos of him as he walked away. Such invasion of his privacy would have been unheard of in his city, and it was one of the reasons why Massimo rarely traveled out of Boston.
Ysabel was the only reason he had flown around the fucking world twice in three months, and now that he was done with his duty here—-
Where are you, Ysabel?
He had just walked back into his hotel when a blast of air-conditioning struck him, and with it came the scent of...cherries?
His heart slammed against his chest even though he knew he was being fucking fanciful. But all the same, he found himself sending up a desperate prayer to the heavens. Dio aiutami. Help me, God.
Ysabel had not stopped loving him in the five years that he had mistaken Ynez for her. Or at least that was what his grandmother had insisted. But either way—-Massimo knew he was willing to wait far, far longer than that. If forever was how long it took to find his fidanzata and beg for her forgiveness—-
I will do anything just to see you, ciliegina mia. Anything.
The scent of cherries refused to disappear, and even though he was convinced it was God punishing him with false hope just as he deserved, Massimo finally looked up—-
And it really was...his Ysabel, in a wedding dress.
FORZA, YSABEL! YOU can do this!
Ysabel had promised her newfound friend she would do this, and do it she would...even if it killed her.
So just put on the damn gown and keep your promise!
Her tears started falling as she squeezed herself into the gown, and Ysabel angrily wiped them away. Big girls don't cry, she reminded herself, and most especially not when it involved walking down the aisle in a pretty dress.
She did her best not to think of anything else as she applied her makeup, but it was only when she sprayed some perfume on herself that she realized too late it smelled of...cherries.
The perfume was part of a welcome gift set from hotel management, and Ysabel didn't know whether to laugh or cry as its scent made her remember the one person she had no business remembering.
I don't understand, God.
Three months had already passed, and she had been so, so sure that this time around, she would be able to forget him for good. The past five years, Ysabel hadn't been able to move on because of the countless what-if questions that troubled her soul.
But it was different now. Or at least it should've been different, since she had come to realize that she, Cattleya, and his grandmother - all of them were wrong. All of them had assumed Massimo had never been satisfied with Ynez because she wasn't Ysabel.
But they were all wrong, and it was time for Ysabel to accept this.
Her sister might have deceived Massimo about that night, but the two of them were clearly meant to be together. How could she believe anything else, when someone as possessive as Massimo could still rush to her sister's rescue...even when he knew Ynez had been cheating on him?
I know it's over between us, God. I already know that. So why can't I still forget him?
She was about to step out of the hotel when the doors opened, and her steps crashed into a silent halt.
Massimo?
He was so, so much more gorgeous than she had allowed herself to remember. But he had also visibly lost weight, and agony squeezed her heart as she tried to wonder why. Were they fighting again? Had he caught Ynez cheating—-non andare lì, Ysa! Don't go there! Just don't!
It was over between them, and—-
Shit.
Massimo had already looked up, and the moment his dark haunted eyes clashed with hers, it was as if the entire world had stopped, and it was all Ysabel could do not to cry the words that were threatening to rip her apart.
Perché, Massimo? Why? Why can't it be me?
Massimo could feel himself whitening as he stared at his Ysabel...but she would not be for long, considering what she was wearing.
"Who is it, Ysabel?" he asked hoarsely.
"I d-don't..."
Was she saying she didn't want to tell him? Perché? Because she believed it was no longer his business?
Massimo knew a man much better than him was deserving of her, but dammit, dammit, dammit—-