Page 77 of Arranged Bratva Virgin

When I reach my destination, I pull off the road into the parking area of the garden park, right next to the graveyard where Stef’s parents are buried.

I need to talk to someone, and I think out of everyone, they knew him the best in this world.

Maybe they can send me some positive vibes or guidance.

I walk slowly through the park and the beautiful garden surrounding the graveyard, taking in the flowers and how peaceful it feels here.

When I reach his parents' gravesite, I sit down on the bench opposite the two headstones and sigh softly.

I watch them for a while, trying to get my emotions under control, fighting tears again.

I didn’t realize how much I was struggling right up until this moment.

“Hi guys. I wanted to talk to someone about Stefano. I wanted to tell you”—I take a slow breath—“I wanted to tell you that I have fallen in love with your son.”

Tears start falling silently down my cheeks. I can’t hold them back anymore.

I wipe them away with the back of my hand.

A soft laugh escapes my lips. “I don’t mean to be crying. I know it seems silly. I know when you fall in love with someone it should be a really happy moment, something you celebrate, but the problem is that I think this love is very one-sided. I don’t think he loves me back. I mean, actually, I don’t think Stefano even knows how to love anymore. I think he has been through so much that he ended up building these massive walls around himself and now he just shuts people out before there is even a chance of something happening.”

I swing my feet in the dirt beneath the bench and let the tears flow freely.

Saying my fears out loud has made it all worse.

I can’t deny it anymore.

It’s real now.

I don’t think Stefano does, or ever will, love me back.

I lean back against the bench taking a few deep breaths to try and pull myself together.

I’m not sure how long I've been sitting there when my phone starts to ring, and in the quiet graveyard it sounds so jarring, I jump with fright.

I pull it out of my handbag.

Stefano’s name is flashing across my screen. He is probably furious that I left without telling him where I was going. I don’t know if I can face his anger anymore. It’s breaking my heart.

I sigh and slide the green button to answer the call.

“Stef?”

“Where did you go?” he blurts out immediately, the worry in his voice is thick and obvious.

“I’m okay, I came to the park to sit for a while.”

I hear him taking a deep breath.

“Darya, we really need to talk. I need to tell you something.” His tone is softer. He actually sounds a bit nervous. My heart tightens in my chest as my anxiety gets worse.

“What’s going on?” I am speaking slowly, almost not wanting to know the answer.

He clears his throat and I sit anxiously on the bench, waiting.

“You are right.”

His words catch me off guard.

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