Page 53 of The Don's Soulmate

She’s never have come after me.

“Please, son,” my father begs, looking almost afraid of me. “Let this go.”

“Alright, father,” I say, after a moment’s silence.

I leave and the heavy door to the breakfast room closes behind me with a resounding thud.

"Damn it," I mutter under my breath, running a hand through my hair in frustration. My mind races with conflicting thoughts about Carlotta's choices – why did she willingly go back to that house, surrounded by wolves? And yet, despite her apparent compliance, I can't shake the feeling that something is off, that she is in danger.

I might not be going in guns blazing, but that doesn’t mean I can forget about her. For now, I call Fio and tell him to maintain round-the-clock surveillance on her house.

Chapter 23

Carlotta

The walls of my bedroom close in on me with each passing day, the air thick and suffocating. I stare at the ornate ceiling, longing for the freedom I once had in Paris. The memory of my mother's absence weighs heavily on me.

She would never have allowed me to be kept prisoner.

Two months. In a fortnight, it would be two months since I’ve been let out. No visitors, no communication with the outside world. I’m slowly losing my hair. I often find myself with wet cheeks, with no memory of when the tears started rolling.

I’ve started thinking of death. Wondering what tools and methods I can use in this room to ensure I don’t survive any attempt at taking my own life.

I wipe away my tears, thinking of my mother. I imagine her talking to me. She’s telling me to be brave and patient. She wants me to fight because someday, I will have freedom but to get there, I need to survive.

Just then, there’s a knock at the door. I don’t bother telling the maid to come in; she does so every day without invitation, bringing me food, clearing away plates, dusting, and cleaning. The door creaks open. “Carlotta?” a soft, most loving voice fills the room.

It can’t be. I’m hallucinating. I’m dreaming. My mind is playing tricks on me now for I’ve gone utterly mad.

“My love?” the voice asks again.

I’m afraid to sit up in bed and take a look. If it’s not her, the disappointment would be too much to bear.

I hear footsteps coming towards me and slowly open my eyes. Right in front of me is a vision from the heavens itself. Brown eyes that don’t hate me, blonde hair swept over one shoulder.

I sit up, the blood gushing to my head. “Sofia?” I ask, eyes widening, hands clutching at hers.

“The one and only,” she squeezes my hands, her eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement. A wide grin stretches across my face as I jump up from the bed, rushing right into her arms. "Sofia!" I exclaim, embracing her tightly. "I've missed you so much!"

"Carlotta, you have no idea how happy I am to see you," she rushes with her words, squeezing me back. "I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for weeks. Every time, I was turned away. I was worried sick, afraid of what’s going on. I was about to turn to the cops when I got a call from your brother, asking to drop by for a visit. What the hell happened?"

I pull apart, confused by this turn of events. “Angelo called you?”

“The one and only,” Sofia whistles, shaking her head. “Your disappearance has been one great mystery to me. Please, tell me what happened.”

I can't help but feel a surge of gratitude for my friend's presence, to finally have someone to confide in. Her mere existence seems to chase away the oppressive atmosphere of my confinement, bringing a breath of fresh air into the room. "I didn't think I'd see you again so soon," I confess, my voice wavering. “That night, after you dropped me home, Ugo and my father were furious. They think I’m having an affair with Ettore and have confined me until the wedding.

"Goodness," she exclaims, her eyes shining with unshed tears. I lead her to the couch in my room and we sit next to one another. "To imagine what hell Ugo Caputo is putting you through,” Sofia reaches over and gingerly rests her head on my shoulder.

“I can't stand the thought of you being alone in this place any longer. No matter what happens, Carlotta. I’m going to make sure you’re not alone in this. I’ll be there by your side, each andevery day until the wedding and beyond. Are you certain there’s no way out?"

“There’s nothing I can do,” I say, choking on my words.

We share a moment of understanding, both acknowledging the heavy burden of our circumstances. But despite it all, I'm grateful for the bond of friendship we share, strong enough to withstand even the darkest times.

"Come on," Sofia urges, her voice full of determination. "Let's make the most of our time together while we can. I’m calling down to the kitchen for tea, sandwiches and cakes and I’m going to give you all the gossip I possibly can!”

Sofia and I sit on the lush carpet, our backs leaning against the edge of my bed. The room feels like a sanctuary with her here. I put aside the cup of tea and wipe clear the crumbs that stick to my hands.

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