The Man in the Painting Read Online Flora Ferrari

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Insta-Love, Romance Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
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“He was...he is married, but we were so in love. Or I, at least, fancied myself in love. He promised he’d leave his wife for me. That they were separating. Oh, he made so many promises and I, like a fool, believed him. And then I fell pregnant with you, and everything changed.

“He called me vile names and asked me to get rid of the baby. Then I suddenly heard that he had worked things out with his family and had moved out of the country. He left me without a word, and I fooled myself into thinking that you took him away from me. I felt like he would have stayed with me and fulfilled all his promises if I hadn’t conceived you. I realized too late that those were just my delusions. He wasn’t mine in the first place.”

“It doesn’t matter now, does it?” I ask quietly with a soft sigh. “Who he is and what he did in the past, none of it matters now.”

I know I should be curious about my father since I’ve learned about his existence. But strangely enough, I realize that I prefer to maintain the image of the dead man that I’ve had all my life.

Besides the fact that he didn’t want me in the first place, there’s also the fact that he has a family.

Nothing good will come out of stirring still waters or something like that.

Mom sighs.

“Look...I just wanted to let you know that none of those things I ever said to you is true. You’re amazing, Melody...You always have been. You’re beautiful. And smart. Anywhere you go, your light shines so brightly and spreads your joy to those around you. To be honest, I’ve always envied your tenacity. Look how well you turned out despite having a mother like me. You deserve all the happiness in the world and more. And as for that jerk, I hope he rots in jail.”

My heart feels lighter after years of hurt and pain. And while the memories don’t fade they feel lighter, less heavy.

I don’t know how to respond to my mother’s strange yet welcome compliments, so I keep mute, staring down at my clasped fingers on my lap.

“I just needed you to know that I was wrong. So wrong. For a long time, I was bitter and hateful but…I got help. I’m just so sorry it took me so long,” Mom says, clearing her throat awkwardly. “I guess I should go now. But if you ever want to talk…well bye.”

She stands and heads toward the front door without another word.

“Mom?” I call just as she’s about to open the door.

Her hand pauses on the doorknob, and she turns her body slightly toward me.

“Yes?”

I take in a deep breath and clear my throat.

“Thank you,” I say, forcing the words past the emotions that are clogging my throat. “For you know....”

She responds with a little jerky nod and heads out the door.

I hope she understands that I’m not just thanking her for saving me from Jack but also freeing me from the shackles of my past.

Hopefully one day we can completely let go of the past.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Abram

I’m just about to bang on the door again when the door is pulled open to reveal Melody.

My heart drops at the blank expression on her face.

I patiently wait while she seems to study my face for what feels like an eternity but must be seconds.

I always thought her eyes were expressive, but right now, I can’t tell what she’s thinking. I’m just about to break down into a nervous ramble when she suddenly walks into my arms and lays her head on my chest.

It takes me a moment to realize that she’s sobbing quietly against my chest.

I pull back a little so that I can look at her face.

“Are you...? What’s wrong Melody?”

She sniffs a little and smiles up at me.

“I’m sorry. It’s just...I’m just so happy to see you.”

I blink at her in surprise, unsure whether to laugh or curse.

I didn’t know the reaction I’d been expecting when I took the first flight from London to New York, but it was definitely not this.

I was so worried and anxious that I wasn’t able to get a wink of sleep.

I expect her to be mad at me for the issue with June, but here she is, telling me how happy she is to see me.

Melody intertwines her fingers with mine and pulls me into the house.

She closes the door with her free hand and pushes me against the wall. She loops her arms around my neck and presses her body against mine.

“How about you show me how much you missed me, handsome?”

I chuckle in amusement, enjoying the light teasing note in her voice and the sweet scent of her perfume. Something about this moment makes my heart swell with joy, and a beautiful calmness settles over me.


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