Page 99 of Diavolo

Alessandro wasn't willing to deal with her at the moment, so Elyse decided to look for Malina. Maybe the housekeeper would be able to give her some advice on how to sort through this headache of a situation. Elyse settled into a reflective sort of melancholy as Alessandro continued to avoid her for the rest of the afternoon.

Once-heightened emotions fell dormant, she was left with an inkling of clarity that came too late. Earlier, the talk with her husband had wrung forth something furrowed deep within, creeping upward and outward to sucker-punch her when she least expected it. Elyse didn't realize what had incited her outburst until now. In retrospect, her tirade had less to do with Alessandro and everything to do with an identity crisis.

Because Dr. Elyse Romero was gone.

She'd officially become thecapo'swife. It'd been less than two weeks since Elyse learned about her Graviano blood. Less than two weeks since Alessandro had proposed to her in Paris. So much had happened since then. Most of it? Beyond her control. She wasn't ready to let go of her old self, of her old life, however difficult and imperfect it might have been. Elyse recognized herself as a flawed human being. Past lovers accused her of being cold. Unfeeling. Friends chided her for overanalyzing the shit out of everything. But she'd always tried to hold onto thebetter parts of her character and strive to do things the hard way simply because it was the right thing to do.

Like catering to Stefano's demands so she could keep her father safe. Instead of pulling the plug on Robbie Romero.

Like studying her ass off, scrimping and saving her way through med school, to become a surgeon. Instead of giving in to the temptations of seedy, fast money that her father's colleagues had pushed on her when she was only a minor. Seedy money in drugs. Fast money in stripping.

At least, back then, she possessed some semblance of choice. A hint of agency over her future. Presently, she no longer had the privilege to be a good person. It was only about survival. Her sense of self was in shambles. Elyse feared she might not be able to master the responsibilities thrust upon her as Alessandro's wife. She was also afraid that these very duties would corrupt her, stripping away her humanity, and force her to partake in the same evil, terrible deeds that Stefano and Mikey once inflicted on her and her father.

It was disorienting to find a mindset that could explain away these thoughts battling inside her head. Through the mayhem, however, a beacon of truth illuminated ever bright. Elyse saw it clearly at last. No matter how lost and bereft she felt, it didn't give her the right to lash out at the only man she had ever valued, desired, and respected. On a deeper level, their fight hadn't been about morality, legal or illegal matters, or the obvious corruption that existed everywhere in the world. Not at all. What truly fueled their fight had been Elyse's resentment, founded or unfounded, toward her husband. He'd flipped her sense of self inside out. She was fighting against the reality of becoming amafiosa.Something she hated her entire life. Of joining hands with the very assholes she wanted to escape ever since the first time Stefano and Mikey came knocking at her father's door.She'd taken out all of her explosive, conflicting emotions on Alessandro.

Then you'll be my burden to carry.

These venomous words replayed themselves over and over. Shame curdled inside her heart. For the first time since arriving in Europe, Elyse had allowed the chaos of her pent-up emotions ram through self-control and good sense.

"I shouldn't have been such a bitch to him," Elyse mumbled as Malina fixed her hair for the evening.

"Maybe not," the housekeeper replied tactfully, "but what matters now is how you intend to move forward."

Howdidshe intend to do move forward with Alessandro? The turbulence within had passed, and Elyse desperately wanted to apologize. It wasn't fair to resent her husband for being a Vitale. Alessandro hadn't chosen to be his father's son. No more than she wanted to inheritPapá'sdebts. Fate had fucked them over the moment they were born. "Should I try to talk to him again?"

Malina's hands stilled on Elyse's head. "Signora Vitale, if I may..."

Elyse winced slightly. Malina had stopped calling herDr. Romero. She pushed aside her discomfort and urged Malina to continue, "Please. Tell me. I want to make things right with Alessandro."

Malina nodded. "Apologies are nice. But actions speak louder than words. If you wish to sootheSignor Vitale'stemper, show that you care for him."

"I… see."

But Elyse didn't see. Not really. Healthy relationships had never been her forte. She had a few boyfriends throughout high school and college, but none of those relationships survived past the one-year mark. Conflicts that arose always went unresolved. Between school andPapá'sdebts, Elyse simply didn't possess the bandwidth to handle the petty drama. It'd been easier towalk away than to stay and work out the kinks. After graduation, Elyse's career became her only love, and Stefano and Mikey's reappearance in her life prevented her from dating altogether. Now, at the ripe age of thirty-two, Elyse still didn't know how to troubleshoot a relationship, let alone a marriage. She felt lost.

Malina glanced at Elyse. Woman's intuition shone from her eyes. "Do not worry. The male mind is far simpler than ours. For the most part, it does not require much to make them happy."

Elyse winced. "I hurt him, though."

"Signor Vitalewill get over it once he sees that you are in his corner. And not working against him."

"What if I don't knowhowto show him that I'm on his side?"

"He wants what we all want."

"Which is?"

Malina smiled faintly. "Imagine finding a friend who wished to learn of your failings, not to judge you, but to help you find your strength."

"I see."

This time, Elysedidsee. Her thoughts began to turn. Perhaps, she could use tonight's party to her advantage. ToshowAlessandro—along with his allies—that she was his wife in all the ways that mattered. Elyse would let him be their sword and step into her role as their shield. They needed to work together and make peace with the Berlusconis. If needed, Elyse was prepared to set aside her pride and extend an olive branch to Cara. With her heart brimming with gratitude, she turned to thank Malina.

"I am happy to help," Malina mumbled.

The housekeeper started on Elyse's makeup. Elyse closed her eyes as Malina applied some eyeshadow. Her mind drifted and wandered elsewhere. "May I ask another question?"

Malina swept some peachy-pink blush across Elyse's cheeks. "Of course."

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