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I wonder if he wishes I didn't exist, but I mask the pain and live my life because I'm a glass-half-full kind of person. It’s scary to admit that sometimes I think I’m unloveable. I know my best friend, Skye, would wring my neck if she ever heard me say such a thing. I know she loves me. I know she will always have my back, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Who said family had to be blood-related, anyways?

Thanks for reading tonight, guys! I was feeling a little sad. I think it's that time of the month (TMI, I know)!

As always,

Elisabetta in the City

Comments:

StuckinDesmoines: I know you don't know me, but this had me in my feels. My dad abandoned my mom when I was four, and I’ve always wondered if he ever regretted that decision. Love you!

LisaFranklin1962:This was so heartfelt. I am your internet momma. Keep shining brightly!

Onceuponatime69:Love your profile pic. You single? DTF?

StuckinDesmoines: @Onceuponatime69 get a life, you pervert.

Hotdude1969:@Onceuponatime69 stop giving us dudes a bad name.

Hotdude1969:Elisabetta, you are allowed to miss your mom. I still miss mine every day.

Loveisntblind2025:Cheer up, buttercup. You'll be surprised at what the universe has in store for us.

I always love chatting with Romeo. He's my stepbrother by law, but he feels like my full-blood brother. I can’t really stand his mother, but I am grateful every single day for the moment my dad decided to marry her and bring Romeo into my life. He’s the ying to my yang, and he always makes me laugh. I giggle into the phone as I listen to him lecturing me. I grab my pillow as I turn onto my side and try not to fall asleep.

“Darling, I hate to say this, but I think you’re in over your head.” He pauses dramatically. "And when I say over your head, I mean, waaaay over your head."

“Romeo, it’s going to be fine. Trust me; I know what I’m doing.” I have no clue what I'm doing, but I'm not going to admit that. Especially because my feelings are so complex. I took the job to ensure Skye didn't have to work for him again, but even more than that, I was hypnotized by the man’s eyes and scent. I felt like a dog in heat. I couldn't resist being close to him, even though my brain told me he was bad news.

“I think you’re just doing this to avoid going to Italy this summer, but it’s not like your dad is going to be like, hey, you don’t have to get married because now you’re an assistant to an attorney.” He cackles. "He might die of a heart attack if he knew you were working at a law firm. Remember how he reacted when you told him Skye was working there?"

"I mean, he was surprised," I admit. "He was asking all about the firm."

"Because he was probably worried they were going to sue him or something. Your dad is not going to be happy you're working for an attorney."

“I’m not even going to be an assistant to an attorney, Romeo. My boss, Liam, is a businessman.” Saying Liam's name makes me feel giddy, like when I was fifteen and had schoolgirl crushes. Why does he have to be so handsome? I blame it on the twinkle in his eyes and the fact that I haven't been on any good dates in donkeys’ years.

“Oh, yeah, you’re not even going to be an assistant to an attorney. You’re going to be an assistant to some Joe Schmoe nobody.” Romeo is not impressed, but I know I could say I'm working for Bill Gates, and he'd be like Bill who. The only people Romeo cares about are in the fashion industry. If I'd said Christian Siriano wanted me to pick up his groceries, he'd be all over it.

“He’s not a Joe Schmoe nobody. He’s a client of the law firm, and he brings them a lot of money.”

“He’s a client that nobody has ever heard of. He's so not a big deal.”

“He is a big deal. He’s very rich. He?—”

“You’revery rich.” Romeo cuts me off and laughs. “Sis, I love you, but what are you doing? Go to Italy, meet those hot-ass men your dad has picked out for you, and just live your life.” He pauses. "Maybe one of them will be drop-dead gorgeous and sweep you off your feet. I'd love to be hooked up."

“Really, Romeo? Do you want to take my place? I'm sure that..."

“He’s not my dad,” he says, cutting me off. "He doesn't care about me finding a stud muffin."

“He is your dad, Romeo.”

“He’s mystepdad.” He says stepdad as if it were a dirty word. "He doesn't care about my love life."

“Let’s be real. He provides for you just like he provides for me.”