Page 17 of Veiled Vows

“Salvatore,” Dr. Martinez’s voice cuts through the fog, pulling me back. “Breathe. Focus on your breathing.”

I force myself to take deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale. Slowly, the room stops spinning. The memories recede, and my chest releases.

I look down at the broken chair handles, shards of wood scattered on the floor. My hands are shaking. This is why I stopped fucking coming here.

“I can’t love her,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “Not like this.”

“Salvatore, what your mother did wasn’t love. It was vile. But what you feel for Serena, it’s different. It’s not wrong.”

I shake my head, the struggle evident in my voice. “But I’m obsessed with her. Utterly fixated. All I can think about is her. Every moment of the day, she’s there, consuming me. I can’t function with her indifferent to me. It’s like she’s taken over every part of me, and I don’t know how to handle it. I've been lying to myself for so long, pretending that she's nothing to me.”

Dr. Martinez’s gaze intensifies, almost daring me to face the truth. “Salvatore, obsession and love are two sides of the same coin.”

“I can’t control it, can’t control myself around her. I want to possess her, to be the only man in the world she looks at. I’m afraid... I’m afraid I’m becoming my mother,” I rasp.

Dr. Martinez smirks, happy at what I’m admitting to myself. “You’re not your mother, Salvatore. You will never become your mother.”

“But what I feel for her is dark...,” I mutter, my grip tightening on the broken chair handles. “I’m terrified of what it might do to her, to us.”

“Go on,” he encourages.

"I want to cage her. Like a bird, so she can only sing for me. I want to bend her until she fits perfectly into me. The thought of anyone else having a piece of her... it makes my blood boil. I want her all to myself. Is that so wrong?"

Dr. Martinez’s eyes gleam with a hint of approval. “Obsession can be a powerful tool, Salvatore. Let it fuel your actions. Make her see your love, no matter how dark it feels.”

His words resonate. Dr. Martinez isn’t your typical therapist. He doesn’t try to tame my obsession; instead, he relishes in it. He’s tainted, just like the rest of us. But I would be damned if I didn’t let him convince me that there’s a way to use this darkness, to make Serena mine in every sense without shattering her completely.

"Schedule me in for next week," I tell him.

With a knowing glint in his eyes, he nods. "Same time, Salvatore. We'll continue this then.”

Chapter 10

Serena

It’s Saturday evening, and Evelyn has a work party organized. I adjust the red dress that clings to my curves, the V-line accentuating my ample cleavage. It's the most daring thing I own. I can't help but snort when I think about my mother's expression if she ever sees me in this dress; she'd have a stroke.

The party is in full swing when I arrive, the air filled with laughter and clinking glasses. Despite the lively atmosphere, all I can think about is Salvatore. I don't understand why he's investing so much in me if he doesn’t love me.

The day at the coast, the villa, and the yacht—yes, they were nice, but I don’t care much for these things. They probably cost two kidneys and a liver, but the experience of diving is what’s priceless. I've always wanted to do it, and for a few hours, I was able to forget everything. It was perfect until it wasn't.

The memory of his half assed confession still stings. He told me that he thinks he loves me, but love isn't something you think you feel; it's something you know. I can't be with him and pretend I’m okay with him not feeling anything for me. Why all the grand gestures and the attempts to win me back if he doesn't love me? I can't wrap my head around it. It feels like he's trying to buy my forgiveness, when all I ever wanted was his heart.

Sasha waves at me from across the room, her bright smile cutting through my thoughts. I make my way over to her, and we chat about work and our plans for Sunday. She makes me laugh, and for a moment, I forget about the ache in my chest.

"Hey, you look sexy tonight," Sasha says, eyeing my dress. "It's about time you wore something that showed off your figure. You’re so hot, girl."

“Thanks, Sasha," I reply with a flush. This is the first time I got a compliment from the same sex that wasn’t followed by criticism. A lot of firsts tonight, it seems.

We clink our glasses together, and I take a sip, feeling the warmth of the wine spread through me. Daniel joins us, still a bit wary with me after that encounter with Salvatore, but I try to put him at ease. We talk about everything except my husband, which is a relief. I need a break from thinking about him.

The night wears on, and the party shows no signs of slowing down. I catch myself glancing at the door, half-expecting Salvatore to walk in, but he doesn't. I don’t know whether to feel disappointment or relief. Salvatore hasn't been in the mansion all day, and I didn't tell him about the event, despite how much Evelyn insisted he tag along. He’ll be notified by the guards at some point though.

Where is he? Is he with some other girl right now? It's been close to two months since we had sex; he has needs. Is he satisfying them outside? The thought angers me, and I clench my teeth so hard they almost break. I don’t care, I try to convince myself. But the jealousy in my chest tells a different story.

I excuse myself and step outside for a breath of fresh air. The night breeze feels good against my skin. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to center myself. I shake my head, pushing all thoughts of him away. I need to focus on me, on my happiness. Salvatore’s feelings, or lack thereof, are his problem, not mine. I head back inside, determined to enjoy the rest of the night.

Evelyn makes her way over, a tall man by her side. She smiles warmly at me.

---