Page 35

"I've asked permission from your brother to take you out. With a chaperone, of course,"he jokes and I release a small chuckle. Marcello's been very uptight about everything—especially about letting me unattended in the presence of any man.

If he only knew the things I'd gotten up to with Vlad…

A smile plays on my lips at the thought. He'd been so adamant about me being careful with men and especially Vlad, that I have no doubt he'd have an apoplexy if he knew I was already pregnant with his baby.

Shaking my head at the notion, I let Raf know I'll be ready for him. I slowly get out of bed, looking around for some clothes.

I take care to hide the scar on my neck with a scarf, not wanting anyone asking questions about what clearly looks like a bite mark. But as I take a seat at my vanity to put on some make-up, I can't help the way my eyes are drawn to the jewelry box and the necklace nestled inside.

I'd taken it off that night, and I hadn't put it back on since. Still, I had not been able to trash it. Maybe because the situation had not sunk in at the time, or maybe because I was still hoping that he would come back to me.

Would I have taken him back?

I don't know. If he'd come running back while I hadn't had the time to process everything, I might have still given him a chance. But as the days went on, I realized that if I ever gave in, I would just show him he could walk all over me at any time. That because of my feelings for him I would take it all in stride, ready to forgive him in exchange for a little attention.

Unwanted…

No, what's done is done. And I need to put everything behind me. A new chapter awaits me, and only by putting him out of my mind can I truly find some happiness.

Before I know what I'm doing, I palm the small box, taking it with me.

Raf is already downstairs, waiting for me. And after we leave the house, I throw the box in the first public trash can I see.

"Sisi." Raf shakes his head when he sees what I've done. I just shrug and keep walking.

"It's done," I say, feeling a massive loss inside my heart, but convinced it's just temporary, I shrug it off.

I'm not the first one to suffer from a broken heart and certainly not the last.

I will survive.

At least I hope I will. I don't know how in such a short period of timehehad become such an integral part of my life. Even now, knowing he isn't near me almost makes me break out in chills, his proximity the only thing that could make me content.

Lord, I need to stop thinking about him. It will pass.

Eventually…

I hadn't told Raf all the particularities of our breakup, but he'd inferred enough to know how much Vlad had hurt me. And so he'd been a sweetheart, and he'd tried not to bring him up too much.

"So where are we going?" I ask as we stroll down the New York streets, his aunt a few steps behind us acting as chaperone.

"I thought you'd like to go to the hospital. For a checkup," he whispers.

"Raf." My mouth opens in shock at his thoughtfulness. "What about your aunt? Even now she's so vigilant," I note as the women narrows her eyes at us for being too close.

"I already booked the appointment. I can distract her for a while until you finish. Tell her you're getting your hair done or something," he suggests. "There's a salon right next to the clinic."

"Wow, you really planned this, didn't you?" I watch him in awe as a blush creeps up his neck. It's a stark contrast against his fair complexion and immediately visible.

"I've been reading about it. And it's good to have a consult early," he says shyly, and I take his hand in mine, giving it a big squeeze.

"You're a dear," I tell him with a smile.

Sometimes I can't believe how kind Raf is. Surely someone like him can't be real. And he continues to amaze me with his thoughtfulness.

"Thank you."

True to his plan, we make a trip to the salon, and while they make themselves comfortable in the waiting room, I exit through the back and head to the clinic.