Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 23833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
"Because she isn't."
"If we are so certain it isn't Penelope then perhaps your wife—-"
"It's not Penelope but my wife dining with Lorenzo Anghileri. My wife, Giancarlo," Ezio bit out. "My wife is the one who had lunch with the fucking Beast of New York—-"
"Ezio—-"
"And she lied to me about it, damn her!"
Giancarlo's chest tightened at the pain that ravaged his brother's tone. "Just...don't make any hasty decisions."
"We both heard what Kayra said," Ezio said hollowly. "She is not...she is not what I thought she is. What we all thought she was. And we need to deal with her accordingly."
Twelve
CAT DIDN'T THINK MUCH about it at first.
The fact that Ezio hadn't come home when he was supposed to.
Or that he hadn't texted or called her for over a day.
They were famiglia, after all.
And such things were part and parcel of the world they lived in.
So no.
It hadn't worried her at first.
And because the other members of his famiglia hadn't seemed to worry about anything either, then that, too, had given her assurance.
Everything's fine.
But when one day turned to another, and another, and she had yet to hear from him...
That was when she realized something was very, very wrong.
And although she tried her best not to think that this was the night her parents were murdered all over again, such fears were at the back of her mind, and they refused to go away.
It can't be. It can't be. It can't be.
A shudder of relief shook her body when Cat caught sight of Sarica coming out from her bedroom. "Sari? Have you heard from Giancarlo? Or Ezio?"
Sarica still hadn't answered her by the time she reached the other girl's side.
"Sari? What is it?"
"Have you seen the photos?"
Cat's heart began to hammer at the unusual strain in Sarica's voice. "What photos?" She saw Sarica seem to hesitate, and she said urgently, "Tell me. Please."
The other girl had her phone in her hand, and at Cat's words, she slowly flipped it over, and ice seemed to encase every vein in Cat's body at what she saw.
The photo was of Ezio.
With another woman in his arms.
Cat snatched the phone out of Sarica's hand and zoomed in. This wasn't enough that she could tell for sure if they were kissing or not, but...she shouldn't jump to conclusions.
"There's more," she heard Sarica say.
More.
More.
More.
That was one of the words she often cried out in her mind every time she and Ezio made love.
She used to like that word.
But not anymore.
Cat's fingers shook as she swiped.
And swiped.
And swiped.
Oh, if only one could swipe left on these photos out of her memory.
Cat handed Sarica's phone back. "Thank you."
Sarica looked at her worriedly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm sure it has to do with his work."
"Oh." Sarica looked relieved. "Oh my God, you're right. Of course. That totally makes sense now. I mean, his whole life, Ezio had never done anything that would interest the paps. Honestly, you're the first girl I've ever seen him kiss."
Cat could only nod and smile. She was glad her words had convinced Sarica. At least there was one of them who didn't think she was clutching at straws.
"I'm sorry for making a big deal out of this."
Cat kept nodding and smiling.
It was all she could do, but as soon as she was alone in her room, it was then that she was suddenly unable to breathe, and her heart seemed fit to explode.
No.
No.
No.
It was as if she was drowning again, but this time...
This time...
Ezio wouldn't be able to save her.
Because this time...
This time...
No.
No.
No.
A knock sounded on her door, and she sensed someone come in.
"Cat..."
Her head jerked up. "Signora?"
The last time she saw the older woman looking this pale, it was the day Ysabel had asked La Strega to help her leave Massimo.
And the realization had Cat speaking in a rush.
"I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong."
"Sono desolata."
The apology had Cat desperately shaking her head in denial. "Why won't you listen to me? It's not what you think. I...I know my husband, and y-you'll see. When he comes back—-"
"It's over, Cat."
"You said I have two months—-"
"He called me," the older woman revealed painfully. "And asked if I would allow him to divorce you."
The rest of Cat's words died in her throat.
No.
No.
No.
"P-Please tell me you're lying."
"I'm sorry, bambina."
Cat felt like throwing up.
Why? Why? Why?
This wasn't supposed to happen.
I don't understand, God.
Had He been saying something else all along?
"I am so, so sorry. Sono desolata. I never wanted this to happen. I thought things would be different."
So did I, Cat thought numbly.
"I am so, so sorry."
Cat made an effort to rouse herself out of her shock when she heard the pain in the older woman's voice.
"It's not your fault, signora." She tried her best to smile, if only to make La Strega feel better, but instead, she found herself fighting back tears. "You didn't ask for this. I did. You did everything to warn me about the risks I was taking. But I wanted this. I thought I could...I t-thought I could make him love me—-"