Claudia's POVI hate him. I detest him. I abhor him. He's a damn idiot!He does everything on purpose, and his purpose is to ruin my life and prevent me from being happy with someone else.I can barely bring myself to look Charles in the face. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. I was supposed to tell him, not stupid Alessandro.I glance at the man next to me briefly, and it's very evident that he's upset. He hasn't said a single word since I got into the car, and I'm afraid to speak because I don't know how he'll take it.I realize that we've already arrived at my building, and he doesn't even turn off the engine to get out with me, as he usually does.I turn to look at him again, and just as I do, he looks away."Charles," I dare to call him, but he ignores me. "Charles, please look at me."He turns to look at me sharply, making me swallow hard because of the angry expression on his face."I need to explain what happened back there," I look at him pleadingly."Don't tell me anyt
Alessandro had gone off with his assistant, who knows where, and that made me more than angry, although I shouldn't care.Why didn't he fire her after all the scandals? That woman was a leech, and he didn't put her in her place.I decided to leave the tour, claiming that Isabella could handle the organization on her own. Mr. Carter wasn't very happy about me abandoning my position, but I couldn't stay there with Alessandro around.I needed a break."I must stay strong and stay away from him," I muttered to myself, looking at the beautiful fountain and gardens filled with flower bushes.Now, I find myself at a company party where Charles couldn't attend due to work, and Mr. Carter was being insistent, wanting to dance with me. I had no choice but to accept, although I didn't like the way he held my waist.I remembered Isabella's words and shuddered, looking for an excuse to step out into the garden to get some fresh air, where I am now, lost in my thoughts."Claudia," I hear someone ca
Let's go," I say annoyed, getting into the car."You didn't pee. You wanted to escape, didn't you?" he questions, getting into the car."Sure, it's just that I'm stupid enough to escape on a desolate road in the middle of the night," I reply wryly, and he remains thoughtful without starting the car."Do you love him?" he speaks from one second to the next, leaving me confused by his question."What are you talking about?""To that idiot who claims to be your boyfriend, are you with him because you love him?""What...?""Answer me.""None of your business," I merely say."What does that mean?" he questions, staring at me."That you don't care how I feel about Charles.""I don't understand what you see in him.""Many qualities that you lack," I reply."You don't know him," he spits angrily."Believe me, I do," I retort and in a second I see his expression transform into one of pure annoyance. "Let's go now, it's starting to rain."Alessandro starts the car squeakily and as soon as it st
As I entered the apartment, I immediately headed towards the bathroom, taking off everything I was wearing. I can still feel his scent lingering on my skin, and the last thing I want is to have his smell on my body.I scrub myself over and over, almost scraping my skin, as if this could erase the traces of what we did yesterday. But when I see the marks that remain and won't go away, it becomes impossible not to cry.I despise myself for what I did to Charles, for what I did to myself. Being strong all this time, only to end up like this.I haven't even checked my cell phone; I'm terrified of seeing a message or a call from Charles and having to respond. I don't know if I'll be able to confess what happened, let alone if I'll be able to face him after this.I berate myself for what happened, over and over again. I cry for hours on end and refuse to answer the phone, which has rung several times.When I look out the window, I notice that it's night already, and I haven't eaten anything
Two years later.Claudia's POVI type quickly in front of the computer despite the cramps in my fingers and the growing pain in my back.I don't know how long I've been here, but I'm focused on finishing this report for the last project I coordinated at the company. I had a week to present it, but I think I'll finish it in three days, and now I'll have to find something else to focus on after that.I suppose I'll have to tell Sebastien to assign me more clients, other projects, or anything that keeps me so busy that I only have to come home to sleep.That's how my routine has been for the past few years, spending most of my day at work to disconnect from the nightmare my life has become.I think it's this job that keeps me sane, preventing me from completely losing it."Claudia, are you listening?" I suddenly hear someone say, pulling me out of my thoughts."Isabella," I mumble as I see her standing in front of me, observing me with her head tilted. "Do you need something?""Clau, do
After a day of work and my boss randomly giving me an unwanted vacation, I went out to have lunch with my friend from the company."Claudia," Eva calls my name."Yes?""It's not her... Anna Rossetti?" she says with an affected voice, alerting my senses.I turn to where Eva points, and immediately spot the woman with long blonde hair and a slender figure pushing a baby carriage.Her daughter."Wait for me here," I ask my friend."But... Clau!"I start running to catch up with the woman walking ahead of me.This is my chance if I finally want to know about him."Anna," I call her name, taking her by the arm as I catch up, causing her to turn towards me.I can't describe the expression that crosses her face when she sees me. I don't think either of us expected this."Let go of me," she snaps with disgust, and I quickly withdraw my hand. "It's unthinkable that one can't even walk down the street without running into this kind of scum.""Anna, please listen to me," I ask, following her."Y
"I lose track of time while we stay in this position, hugging and kissing without rest. If this is a dream, I swear I don't want to wake up.I love the touch of his skin against mine, and the way our lips coordinate, making this a moment I will remember forever."I can't believe you did this," I say between kisses."Knowing me, you should know I'm capable of anything." His words make me look at him intently.For the first time in a long time, I can fully detail his face. He has changed, not in a negative way. He's grown a beard, and his hair is a bit longer, but what strikes me the most is that he looks healthy.He doesn't look like the Alessandro from the last time, the one who seemed exhausted and sick."You're very thin," he suddenly says, looking at me with concern.I immediately evade his inquisitive gaze and break free from his embrace upon hearing him."Let's go inside," he tells me after noticing my change in mood.Upon entering the beautiful mansion, I am surprised to see som
The sound of the sea waves wakes me up, and I realize that the space next to me is empty.I fell asleep before Alessandro arrived, but judging by the messy sheets and the scent lingering on them, I know he slept with me.I leave the room in search of Alessandro."Good morning, Lena," I greet her."Good morning, miss," she greets me back. "You woke up very beautiful this morning.""Thank you," I reply with my cheeks turning red."Will you have breakfast?""Yes, please," I answer, following her to the kitchen. "Hey, Lena, do you know where Alessandro is?""Your husband went for a run a while ago, miss," she says, causing my face to blush."He's not my husband yet," I say, taking a seat."Oh, well, he refers to you as his wife, so I assumed the feeling is mutual.""It's just that…""You're awake," I hear him say behind me, the owner of that voice that completely drives me crazy. "Good morning," he says as he reaches my side, stealing a kiss that leaves me breathless.He has no intention