Page 5

“That’s…not fair, Rocco,” I swallowed. “It takes strength to show your feelings.”
“I do with you…I feel like you listen without putting all the other stuff about me….””
“Your celebrity?”
He chuckled despite it all. “Yeah.”
I still thought of Rocco as a celebrity, but he was more than that. He was a good man. “I want to listen and help you. You’ve done so much for me.”
“I appreciate it. And I’m happy you’re here because you knew Luca… you loved him too.”
“Yes, I did. Very much,” I said hoarsely. It was the truth that I spoke straight from my heart.
Rocco kissed my stomach, then placed his head back down on it. Tears dropped on my skin from my eyes and his. He came to me not as the charismatic man the world knew but as the vulnerable man underneath—the one who took a leap of faith and reached for me at night. The more I held him, the heavier the weight he gave on my lap as he gave some of his burden for me to carry, and I cherished it.
Even through my confusion about what happened with our families, I couldn’t hurt him when he was down. Instead, I returned to palming his head to soothe both of us. He was in mourning for his grandfather. And I was in mourning for the man I thought I knew.
Rocco and I were up early, ready to leave. I had my bags in the car, but went back inside to check to see if I missed anything. My eyes landed on the hollowed-out book left for me—Lady Chatterley’s Lover.Was there more to it?
I tucked the book into the bag and walked downstairs.
At the bottom was Magda, one of the housekeepers who had become my friend. She stepped forward with her arms open and I hugged her tight. Despite my uncertainty about Luca and the documents, the people I met at his home in Florence were warm and inviting. “Thank you so much for everything.”
She held me at arm’s length. “I was so happy you came here to this home. When you walked in I couldn’t believe how much you looked like Constance.”
My brows rose in shock. “You knew my grandmother?”
Magda nodded. “Oh yes. I was here from the start. She wanted this home, and Luca was madly in love with her and bought it on the spot.” She let me go, pressing a hand to her lips. “That’s a secret not even Aurora knew.”
My brows rose. “Really? She never mentioned being here.”
Magda’s eyes glassed over. “I suppose she wouldn’t…But it brought luck to him and Aurora. Maybe it did the same for you and Rocco?” She asked with a twinkle in her eye, squeezing my arms.
I dipped my head. “I don’t know….”
“You don’t have to. Let your heart find what you want…I will miss Luca. He was so good to my family. He helped put my kids through college, and helped them get great jobs.” Her voice cracked, and she let go of me, covering her mouth.
I took her free hand and held it comfortingly. That was the Luca I knew, too—a kind and caring man. Was that the real him?Or was someone trying to destroy his legacy?I rubbed the space between my brows.
“You look troubled.” Magda frowned. “But I suppose you’re sad like all of us. Did you know he came by and left you something?”
I was about to mention the book I found in the bedroom when Magda picked up a package on the foyer table and handed it to me. Its shape resembled a hard-covered book like most packages Luca sent me over the years.
Her eyes watered. “He brought this over yesterday for you to have as a personal wedding gift, but I feel you should have it now.”
I shook my head and held it out for her to take back. “Uhm, I shouldn’t since we didn’t get married.” That was what I told her, but the real reason was I didn’t want more bad news like the package I found in my room.
Magda inhaled sharply and tucked it in my bag. “I know. But you can open it later when you feel more at peace.” My heart ached, and I had no idea if I’d ever feel that way again if the documents were true.
Still, I hugged her and offered another goodbye before walking out the door.
I shielded my eyes against the bright sun of summer and the humid heat made me feel instantly too hot. I rushed forward to Rick holding the passenger door of the Mercedes and thanked him as I climbed in back. To my surprise, Rocco was already inside on a call.
“Yes, Mom. I’m heading to the airport now. We’ll be there soon. Okay. Yes. Okay.…”
A minute later, Rick was behind the wheel, and we were driving off the estate to the airport. I was grateful that I didn’t have to answer any questions. It also gave me time to mask my suspicions. Did his family know the whole time? His father behaved shady when I found him in the bedroom. He was searching for something. What could it have been? Or was he trying to hide the papers I found?
“Adelina?” Rocco said my name as if he repeated it more than once.