Page 17

Sarah

The villa in Tuscany is breathtaking, with its sprawling gardens, ancient stone walls, and the scent of fresh lavender drifting through the air. As I step out of the car, I take a moment to appreciate the beauty around me. The rolling hills of Tuscany stretch out in every direction, and for a brief moment, I allow myself to imagine that this really is a honeymoon—a romantic getaway for two people deeply in love.

I know better.

This isn’t a honeymoon. It’s another business trip for Ivan, just one that happens to take place in one of the most beautiful regions in the world. He’s here for a deal with the Italians, and I’m just along for the ride. This is my life now—business deals, guns, and violence. There’s nothing sensual or romantic about it, no matter how picturesque the setting might be.

Still, I try to hold on to a positive mindset. I’m in Tuscany, a place I’ve always wanted to visit. I’ve dreamed of walking through the art galleries, seeing the masterpieces that hang on the walls of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. It’s a small escape from the reality I’m living, but it’s something I want to hold on to.

“Ivan,” I say, turning to him as he checks his phone. “Since we’re here, I was thinking we could visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

He barely looks up, his attention fixed on whatever business deal he’s managing through his phone. “I have an important meeting today. It’s not happening.”

Frustration bubbles up inside me, but I try to keep my voice even. “I can’t stay cooped up in this room all day. If you’re busy, I want to go out on my own.”

His eyes finally meet mine, and I can see the tension in his gaze. He’s not used to being questioned or challenged, but I refuse to be just a pretty accessory on his arm. “Artem will go with you,” he says, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

I roll my eyes, a flicker of defiance sparking inside me. “Might as well have married Artem,” I mutter under my breath.

“What was that?” Ivan’s voice is sharp, a clear warning.

I force a smile, turning back to him with feigned sweetness. “I said, have a good day, dear husband.”

He narrows his eyes at me, but he lets it go, turning back to his phone as if the conversation is over.

I head out with Artem, trying to focus on enjoying the day despite the shadow that looms over every moment. We have lunch at a fancy restaurant, and I savor the local food, allowing myself to get lost in the flavors and the ambiance of the place. For a little while, I can pretend that I’m just a tourist, here to soak in the culture and beauty of Tuscany.

As we drive toward the Uffizi Gallery, Artem glances at me in the rearview mirror, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Do you like art?” he asks, his tone casual.

I hesitate before answering, my mind drifting to memories of a time when life was simpler, when I wasn’t entangled in the dark world of the Mafia. “Not particularly,” I admit, my voice soft. “But an old friend of mine did. We promised to visit this place together.”

A bitter smile tugs at my lips, and I turn to look out the window, trying to push down the wave of emotion that threatens to rise. The truth is, that promise was made in a different lifetime, before everything changed, before I became who I am now.

When we arrive at the gallery, Artem parks the car and stays outside, giving me a nod as I step out. I thank him and head inside alone, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and unease as I walk through the grand entrance. The gallery is as stunning as I imagined, filled with masterpieces that have stood the test of time. I wander through the halls, taking in the art, but my mind is elsewhere, lost in the past.

“Sarah?”

The familiar voice stops me in my tracks. My heart skips a beat as I turn around, and there he is—Leo. He looks the same, though there’s a seriousness in his eyes that wasn’t there before. The years have changed us both, but the connection between us is still there, undeniable and immediate.

“Leo,” I breathe, my voice trembling slightly. Seeing him here, in this place we once promised to visit together, brings back a flood of memories—memories of a time when life was simpler, when I wasn’t trapped in the world I’m in now.

“I can’t believe it’s really you,” he says, stepping closer. His eyes search mine, and I can see the emotion there, the longing and the concern. “I came here when I found out you were in Tuscany. I had to see you.”

I can’t find the words to respond. There’s a tightness in my chest, a swirl of emotions I don’t know how to process. Leo reaches out, taking my hand, and I let him, the warmth of his touch both comforting and unsettling.

“I know you’re married now,” he says softly, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and determination. “I have to ask you… are you happy?”

The question hangs in the air between us, and for a moment, I don’t know how to answer. Am I happy? The truth is, I don’t know anymore. Happiness feels like a foreign concept, something distant and unreachable in the world I now live in.

“Leo—” I start, but he cuts me off, his grip on my hand tightening.

“You don’t have to stay with him, Sarah,” he insists, his voice pleading. “I can help you. We can run away from all of this, start over somewhere new. You don’t belong in this life.”

He steps closer, his eyes searching mine for any sign of agreement. There was a time when I loved him, when he was everything to me. He was my first kiss, my first love, the person I thought I’d spend my life with. That was before—before my brother got sick, before the Mafia, before Ivan.

Now? Now I can’t imagine my life without Ivan, as dark and twisted as that reality is. The thought of running away with Leo, of escaping to a life filled with light and love, is tempting. But it’s not my life anymore. I’ve changed, and I know I can’t go back.

“I can’t, Leo,” I say, my voice heavy with regret. “This is my life now.”

“You don’t belong in the dark,” he insists, his voice breaking slightly. “You deserve better than this.”

I shake my head, pulling my hand away from his. “Maybe,” I admit, my heart aching as I see the pain in his eyes. “I belong with Ivan. I can’t leave him.”

Leo steps back, hurt flashing across his face. “Why, Sarah, why him?”

I hesitate, searching for the right words. “Because I’ve made my choice,” I finally say. “As much as I want to, I can’t change it. This is who I am now. I can’t imagine a life without him.”

Leo looks at me, his expression a mixture of disbelief and sadness. “I don’t know if I can let you go.”