Page 56

HADLEY

Six Weeks Later…

Six unreturned I love yous, and I’ve reached my breaking point. I’m nothing to Massimo, other than a pussy to fuck, and I’m done. I deserve better than this, don’t I? I think I do, but maybe he’s right, when he says he isn’t capable of feelings that deep. I’ve become friendly with the other wives, even being added to their brat chat on Facebook, but they have something Massimo and I don’t have. And I crave it.

I storm to the kitchen, where I find Massimo sipping his coffee, while his fingers fly over the keyboard on his phone.

“Love me, or let me go,” I blurt out, immediately getting his attention.

“What?”

“Do I deserve a loveless life, Massimo? Is that what you think? I’m not worthy?”

He rises from his chair and walks over to me, with a confused expression on his handsome face.

“What’s happening?”

I clench my fists at my sides to stop myself from touching him, because I’ve learned I have little willpower once Massimo’s body becomes involved.

“Love me, or let me go,” I say, in a voice barely above a whisper.

His response, while expected, cracks my chest wide open.

“You want a man that will love you, and I can’t be that for you. Do you deserve that? You fucking deserve everything, baby.”

Tears roll down my cheeks, as he stares at me with an anguished expression on his face.

“You owe me this, Massimo. You fucking owe me this!” I muster a scream.

He goes to touch me, but instantly withdraws his hands, setting them in fists at his sides. His eyes stay on mine, and the intensity threatens to burn me from the inside out, as he speaks low.

“I know I do, but what you’re asking of me is impossible. I know how to hurt, but I have no capacity for love.”

Hanging my head down in defeat, I shake my head in disappointment, and say, “Then let me go.”

“If this is what you want, go. As you know, your car is outside. Open the door, walk through it, and drive out of my life. If you no longer want this, you may go.”

I hold my purse tight, like it’s a bulletproof vest, as what feels like bullets penetrate my chest. Turning away from him, I walk to the door, put my hand on the door handle, and speak without turning toward him before I leave.

“You are worthy of love, Massimo, and capable of it. Maybe I’m not the woman that can bring that out of you, but I see your heart. It’s beautiful, although reserved for few. Massimo Bonetti, I have loved you since I was a girl. Even when I tried to hate you, I still loved you. I think I always will. My only regret is that I am not enough. Goodbye, Massimo.”

I turn the doorknob, and open the door to the sun shining bright, a complete contradiction to the storm brewing inside my heart.

Fortress around Massimo’s heart: 1

Hadley: 0