Page 59 of Her Overprotective Fiance

I'm already crying even before she's done speaking.

"I'm just so tired of pretending."

"About what?"

Shame engulfs me, but I know I need to tell the truth.

I just need to get it all out, even if it's only this once.

"I h-heard him, Maryse...He...he r-regretsme."

God, God, God.

"He says he w-won't let me go, but h-how can I stay when he r-regrets me?"

YOU NEED TO REST.

You need to sleep.

Tom will talk to Giancarlo tomorrow, and we'll talk, too, when you're thinking more clearly.

Maryse's suggestion makes sense, but it's already three in the morning, and my pain refuses to offer me a single second of respite.

How long, O Lord?

How long?

My heart starts pounding as I reach for my phone. I've switched it off since walking out on Giancarlo, and my tears fall anew when unread messages and missed-call notifications start flooding my screen.

Giancarlo:Come back, Sarica. Please.

Giancarlo:I've left you a voicemail explaining everything.

Giancarlo:Do you want me to go to you?

Heartbreak turns me into a monster, and I find myself forgetting God as I fall back into my old ways.

I want you to go to Hell.

And once you're there, I'll make sure to wear red at your funeral so everyone knows I'm on the lookout for another sugar daddy.

Shame eats me alive as soon as I hitSend,but it's too late to take the words back.

Hurting him only hurts me more, and shame turns to dread when my phone buzzes.

I'm tempted to delete his reply without reading it, and my fingers are shaking when I finally manage to click on his message.

Giancarlo:Go ahead and try, dolcezza.

Giancarlo:I'll come back from the dead if I have to.

Giancarlo:You are mine, and I will let no one take you from me.

I read his messages over and over without knowing why.

I read it again and again, and even though I know the world will think me a fool for this—-

I think it's going to be alright.

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