Page 88 of Forbidden Fruit

Being with Leonardo made me feel truly alive - like I was this fiery, passionate woman instead of just some reserved mafia princess. Our chemistry was addictive. The way he looked at me with such intense desire fueled my confidence in a way I'd never experienced before him.

I honestly couldn't pinpoint exactly when I had gone from just being fascinated by Leonardo to completely, breathlessly in love with him. Falling for this daring, magnetic man had happened so naturally despite all the reasons it should have been wrong. He saw through all my polished masks right to the real me. And miracle of miracles, he still accepted and adored even my messiest sides.

With Leonardo, I didn't have to pretend to be anything but my most authentic self. In his eyes, I was fearless, sexy, wonderfully free. His belief in me made me feel capable of defying the world if it meant we could be together. I would have done absolutely anything for that man because of the way he cherished me in return.

Which is why I was here now, soaked and barely holding it together but determined to save Leonardo no matter what. I knew with soul-deep certainty my life would be eternally shattered if my father's hate succeeded in taking Leonardo away from me. I had to try and protect him, even if all hope seemed lost.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to gather my courage. I couldn't lose it out here in the hallway when Leonardo could be just on the other side of the door relying on me. I had to be strong for him now, no matter how terrifying this moment felt.

Wiping my eyes fiercely, I squared my shoulders and knocked sharply several times. "Leonardo?" I called out, willing my voice not to crack. "It's Natalia, please open up!"

Silence greeted me and my heart threatened to drop right down into my stomach. I knocked again desperately. "Leonardo, please! I need you..." Tears clogged my throat but I forced out his name again hoarsely.

Leonardo's POV:

I paced my apartment anxiously, running my hands through my hair. It had been almost a week since I'd heard from Natalia. After her family found out about us, things had gotten dangerous. Her brother Enzo warned me to lay low for a while. But the not knowing if Natalia was okay was torture.

A knock at my door made me freeze. Heart pounding, I rushed over, praying it was her on the other side. I took a deep breath and turned the handle.

The hallway was empty. Disappointment crashed over me, followed by fear churning in my gut. Where was she?

I was about to close the door again when a white envelope caught my eye. It was laying on the mat with my name scrawled across it in familiar handwriting. Hands shaking, I snatched it up and ripped it open.

My Love,

I'm so sorry to reach out to you like this. But after everything that's happened, I had no other choice. This is the only way I can keep you safe.

By now you know my father discovered our secret relationship. His rage was unlike anything I've ever seen. He swore he would make you pay for "poisoning" his daughter against the family.

Enzo tried to protect me, but Father's mind was twisted by possessiveness and pride.

I know Father will stop at nothing to punish the man he believes led me astray. If he finds you, he will kill you or die trying. I cannot let that happen, no matter how much it destroys me to stay away.

Since the moment I saw you in that casino on that magical night you awakened something in me I never dreamed possible, Leonardo. A passion and fire in my soul I thought had been suffocated long ago. I never felt as alive and as free as in the moments I shared with you. But now that I've felt the true depths of our connection, I cannot survive losing you. If anything happened to you because of me, it would break me forever.

So I'm leaving everything behind to protect you, my darling love. Father will not rest until you are destroyed, so I must disappear completely. It's the only way his wrath will not find you.

Though we hardly had any peaceful times at all, what we shared was more precious to me than anything in this world. I never truly lived until your love breathed life into my heart.

I wish we could have had a chance at forever. My only comfort is knowing that no matter where this unpredictable life takes me, I will cherish the stolen moments we managed to find together against all odds.

You awoke a part of me I thought was lost, helped me discover who I truly am inside. I could never thank you enough for that gift, Leonardo. My fierce, tender protector.

Now I must find a way to go on without my soul's other half. They say time heals all, but I know I will never stop missing your smile, your arms around me. You'll always have my heart, even if we can't be together.

Please don't try to find me, my love. As much as it pains me, breaking ties completely is the only way to keep you safe. Just know I will never forget the man who helped me feel alive. You'll always be my secret hero.

Promise me you'll move on from this and find some happiness, Leonardo. Don't let Father's hatred poison your future too. You deserve so much joy.

I wish we could have a proper goodbye. But this is our story - moments stolen against the odds, then gone too soon. I have to accept that and find the strength to let you go.

So with all the love left in my shattered heart, I'm saying goodbye, my Leonardo. Be well, be free, and know you were loved beyond measure. You will live on always within me.

Yours eternally,

Natalia

The letter slipped from my lifeless fingers, fluttering to the floor. Natalia was gone. My chest felt hollowed out, heart obliterated.

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