Page 72 of The Bonventi Secret

Enzo turns back to face me, and I'm struck by the coldness in his eyes. It's like looking at a stranger, not the man I've come to care for over these past weeks.

"I don't know, Livia," he says. "You've proven that I can't trust you. That you'll go behind my back the moment you think you can get away with it."

I feel tears welling up in my eyes, and I know at any moment, they will flow down my cheeks. "That's not true," I protest. "I care about you, Enzo. Like I said, I just wanted to understand?—"

"Enough of that," Enzo says, raising his hand.

"I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. But please, Enzo, can't we?—"

"Can't we what?" he interrupts. "Move past this? Pretend it never happened? You crossed a line, Livia. One that can't be uncrossed."

I feel a chill run through me at his words. "What are you saying?"

Enzo looks at me for a long moment.

"The diary," he demands. "Give it to me. Now."

My hands tremble, and I bend down, open the drawer, and pull out the worn leather-bound book. I hold it out to him, feeling as if I'm surrendering more than just Valentina's diary.

Enzo snatches it from my grasp, his fingers brushing against mine for a brief moment. The contact reminds me of the intimacy we once shared, now shattered by my betrayal.

He opens the diary and shuffles through the pages, as if checking to see if I took anything.

"Enzo," I say. "Please, can we talk about this?"

He slams the diary shut and looks at me.

"I never meant to hurt you," I plead. "I just wanted..."

I can't even finish the words, and I start gasping for air as my crying comes on strong.

Enzo stands there for a moment just looking at me. His face doesn't alter, his demeanor never changing. "Maybe," he says with a sigh. "Maybe this was all a mistake."

My heart drops to my stomach. "What do you mean?" I ask, wiping away tears.

He looks at me, and for a moment, I see a flicker of the man I've grown to care for. But it's quickly replaced by the cold, ruthless Don. "I mean, maybe I made a mistake. Thinking this could work. Thinking you could be trusted to be part of this world."

"Enzo, please," I choke out. "I know I messed up, but I care about you. We can work through this," I say as hot trails of shame and regret run down my cheeks.

He shakes his head, turning away from me. "I don't think we can, Livia. You've broken my trust. In my world, it's a kiss of death."

Enzo turns and starts walking toward the door.

"What happens now?" I ask, my voice small and scared.

He stops. "For now, you'll remain here," he says, not looking back at me. "Until I figure out what to do with you."

He continues walking, and I try him one last time.

"Enzo, please," I call out.

He pauses at the door, his hand on the knob. For a moment, I think he might turn back, might give me a chance.

But he doesn't. Without another word, he walks out, forcing the door closed behind him.

I collapse onto the chair, my body wracked with sobs. The thoughts of what I've done, of what I've lost, crash over me in waves. I clutch at my skull pendant as I feel as if my heart might shatter into a million pieces.

As my sobs subside into quiet whimpers, I'm left with the crushing realization that I might have destroyed the one good thing in my life. And for what? A few secrets from the past that were never mine to uncover.