Page 70 of Passion and Revenge

I’ve gone and fallen in love with Alessandro Mancini. A man who I’m not even sure has the ability to love me back or that I’ll ever see again.

Silly, Sienna. Stupid! So stupid.

“Are you alright, Si?” He tucks a loose curl behind my ear. “You suddenly became really pale as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

This discovery is infinitely worse than seeing a ghost.

“I’m so sorry, but I can’t be with you, Salvadore.”

His smile is small and sad, and I wish a little bit that I could be what he wants me to be for him. But I can’t.

“I understand,” he murmurs and nods, then turns to head out, his head hanging low.

My chest aches for him, and I hope he finds a woman who’ll make him realize the thing between us was lukewarm and passionless.

“Later, Sienna.” He waves from the door, and I paste on a smile and wave back.

I wait for the door to shut behind him before I walk zombie-like to my room and then curl up into a small ball on the bed.

I’m in love with Alessandro.

I let out a deranged laughter that slowly morphs into mournful sobs.

CHAPTER 23

Sienna

“You seemed distracted back there, Si,” Kat says, her brows pulled down low, “I know you don’t want me to worry, and I don’t want to nag you like your dad, but are you okay?”

The light wind blows curly strands of my hair into my face, and I brush them behind my ear.

“I’m fine,” I reply.

“I have an extra hair tie if you want,” my best friend says, digging into her oversized purse.

“I’m fine.” My words come out more snappish than I intend, and her head snaps up, her grey eyes wide and hurt.

With a sigh, I step forward and take her hands in mine. “I’m sorry. I just feel like a withering flower with the way Dad and Sal keep fussing over me. I don’t want you to treat me any differently. I’m totally fine.”

The look Kat shoots me tells me she doesn’t believe me at all, but she knows me enough to drop the matter.

Her shoulders drop. “Okay. I’m going to let this go…” she pauses, “…for now. So don’t think you’ve gotten away with telling me that bullshit story about you just being locked up and bored out of your mind.”

I wince. I had hoped for her to buy my story, but it seems I’m not fooling anyone.

Her mouth curves into a small smile. “You’re a terrible liar, Si, and I love you for it.”

A chuckle leaves my lips, and I step forward and wrap my arms around her. “I’ll tell you everything someday. But not today.”

Maybe when it doesn’t hurt so much. Maybe when it doesn’t feel like someone is ripping me into shreds from the inside. I have a terrifying feeling there’ll never be such a day, though.

Kat squeezes me tightly before releasing me. “Take care of yourself, sweetie. Try to eat something more substantial than a salad.”

I glare at her, and she glares right back.

“What?” She rolls her eyes. “I’ll complain about you pecking at your food like a damn pigeon whether you got kidnapped by a psychopath criminal or not.”

Her phone begins to ring before I can say anything, and she glances down at it. “Shoot, I have to go. Unfortunately, we’re not all as lucky as you to get millions from an anonymous buyer.”

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