Page 21 of Sin and Redemption

Sara looked seriously embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just you and Amo have your reputation. With the parties and the girls. And…” Her gaze lingered on the tattoos on my hands.

“I don’t look like husband material to you?” I asked, mildly amused.

She raised her eyes to the ceiling. “I don’t know. I’m talking nonsense.”

“No, you’re fine.” I was relieved that we’d managed to have a halfway decent conversation. Fuck, I wouldn’t have dared to dream that was possible.

She lowered her gaze back to my face. “I have one request.”

“Sure, anything,” I said.

“I want to live as closely to my parents as possible, so whatever apartment is nearest, I’d like to pick that one.”

I hadn’t looked at the apartments in detail. There had been eight on the market.

“Okay. I don’t mind. I can check the addresses and send you the link to the portfolio.”

“Sounds good.”

Silence fell between us. I cleared my throat again, then after a quick glance at her fingers, which confirmed that she wasn’t wearing Paolo’s ring anymore, I pulled the box out of my pocket. Sara angled her body my way. So far, she’d been sideways. She regarded the box with widened eyes. “Is this…?” She raised her eyes to mine.

I opened the box, showing her the ring. “Should I get on my knees?” I wanted to kick my stupid ass.

Sara bit her lip, obviously amused. “No, don’t. You didn’t have to get me a ring. I would have been fine.”

“You’re now engaged to me, and I want people to know. I want you to carry a sign of our engagement to show you that I’m committed.”

“That’s nice.” She held out her hand palm up. I put the box in her palm. I would have liked to put the ring on her finger, but I assumed her gesture meant she didn’t want that.

I respected that.

She didn’t put the ring on right away, and I didn’t ask her to, even if I really wanted her to wear it.

The ring was beautiful. If I was being honest, it was more beautiful than the one Paolo had given me. His had been too big, too obvious, as if he wanted everyone to see how much money he’d spent. Maximus’s choice was more subdued and definitely more my style. The diamond was embedded into the yellow gold band. I preferred this style as it was more practical in daily life. I didn’t care if it wasn’t as expensive as the one Paolo had chosen. I hadn’t even expected an engagement ring from him. It wasn’t as if we had a standard courtship.

Maximus watched me closely as I fumbled with the box in my hand. Maybe he wanted me to put it on right away? I took out the ring and pushed it onto my finger. Surprise washed over me at how perfectly it fit.

“Isabella and my mother helped me pick the right one,” Maximus said.

“Oh? I’ll have to thank them.”

“You should,” he said.

“And thank you.”

He waved me off. “I’m glad you like it.”

Suddenly, something dawned on me. “I never thought about changing the wedding bands…Paolo and I picked them out a while back.” It had been a difficult process because Paolo wanted a big wedding ring for me too, but eventually, I’d convinced him of a less flashy piece. His choice, however, was quite prominent, not to mention that Maximus’s fingers were much bigger.

“I’d prefer it if we picked new rings. You will be my wife. I don’t want any signs of your previous fiancé on your body.” He snapped his lips shut, his expression tight with regret. It was the first time he was less restrained and showed a possessive streak. Although I appreciated his attempt to appear calm and reserved in my company, I had seen a different side of him when he’d almost ripped the cage out of the ceiling, fueled by rage.

I nodded. I was still so wrapped up in my own life, in all the changes I was met with, I hadn’t even stopped to think how that would make Maximus feel. I had tried not to think about him at all. “Of course. I don’t mind. I’m not emotionally attached to the other ring.”

“Good. So we’re picking new rings and a place to call home.”

A place to call home. I’d already dreaded moving out when I’d thought I’d move into Paolo’s house that he’d inherited, but now that it meant living under the same roof as Maximus, I was close to panic. I didn’t worry that he’d hurt me. I worried how being faced with him every day would allow me to pretend nothing had happened.

Soon, you’ll have a child who’ll be another reminder.

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