Page 58 of The Runaway Bride and the Billionaire

Amelia

From the office window, I watched Matteo pull out of the driveway and take off down the road. I smiled to myself as I thought of how lucky I was to have a man like Matteo. He rushed to protect me when he saw Lucas was being aggressive with me.

Plus, he didn’t fall for Ivy’s obvious attempt to split us up. I just knew she was oozing with joy when she told Matteo I was out with another man. Little did she know that he would come to my rescue and bring me lemon squares.

I inhaled the delicious treats as I walked back to my desk. Matteo had always been incredibly thoughtful, and I felt touched every time he went out of his way to make me happy. There was a reason I hadn’t been able to love any other man even after five years of being apart.

No man had ever treated me the way Matteo did. He was thoughtful and kind. He showed me more consideration than anyone ever had. He also valued my opinion, unlike my parents. Being with him made me happy. So happy that I almost considered not confronting Ivy.

Almost.

I’d had enough of her and her jealousy. I was tired of letting her mess with my life and my relationship. I spent the elevator ride to her floor of the building wondering what I would say to her when I finally confronted her. I didn’t have all the words, but I knew I had to put her in her place.

I stopped in front of her desk and glared down at her. “Why did you tell Matteo where I was?”

In truth, I couldn’t be angry with her for revealing the truth to Matteo. If anything, I was grateful. If she hadn’t told Matteo, then who knows what Lucas would have done. I could still feel the tight grip he had on my arm. If Matteo hadn’t arrived, he might have done something worse.

Still, I knew Ivy didn’t tell Matteo the truth because she had any interest in helping me. She told him where I was because she hoped that seeing me with another man would be enough reason for Matteo to break up with me. She was trying to ruin our relationship, and I wouldn’t take that sitting down.

“Oh, did you not want him to know that you were having lunch with someone else?” she asked as she smiled deviously. “I was only trying to help.”

“No, you weren’t. Look, I don’t have time to argue this with you. Just stay out of my business for the foreseeable future or we will have a problem. I’ve done my best to ignore your little tricks, but I’ve had enough. Don’t try me again.”

My fingers were shaking and my heart was beating out of control but I kept my voice steady. Growing up with parents whooften stifled my voice meant I hated confrontation, but I had to push myself because Ivy needed to be set straight.

She remained silent as I walked away. I took her silence for compliance. Hopefully, it meant her schemes against me would end.

I spent the rest of my day working while snacking on the lemon squares Matteo got me. Working was a lot easier when I did it with a delicious snack. After work, I took a cab back to the penthouse. Without even meaning to, my eyes searched for Matteo.

He typically wasn’t home around this time but a part of me hoped he’d made an exception today. I missed him even though we saw each other just a few hours ago. Loving him meant that I had an unending desire to be around him.

I walked through the house, pausing in my room to drop my things before heading to Matteo’s room to check on him. He wasn’t there. I went to the kitchen, but he wasn’t there either.

Agnes also wasn’t there. I assumed she was with her daughter and grandchild. She’d promised to bring the baby over someday. I was looking forward to meeting her. I loved babies. They’re so pure and innocent. It made me want to do everything for them.

I hoped Matteo and I would have a baby someday. I looked forward to spoiling that little girl or boy. I also looked forward to giving them a place where their voices can thrive. I planned to listen to them and trust the decisions they would make later in life. I planned to give them everything my parents never gave me.

I walked down the hallway, checking each room as I went. Then it suddenly dawned on me where Matteo might be. He typically spent a lot of time in his study working. I hardly ever entered the room because I knew he went there to focus.

I made an exception today because I was eager to see him. I pushed the door to the study open, my excitement building as Ithought about running over to kiss him. Sadly, my dreams were dashed when I walked into an empty room.

Matteo wasn’t there. If he wasn’t here, then it meant he still hadn’t come back from work. I stepped deeper into the room, taking my time to glance at the books on the shelf. Some were classic works of fiction likeWuthering Heights,Pride and Prejudice, andThe Great Gatsby. The rest were self-help books and books on business.

I stopped in front of his desk and ran my finger over the spotless mahogany table. It felt nice to be in his space but I didn’t want to intrude. This room was sacred to him. I was about to turn and leave when my eye caught a small velvet box sitting at the edge of the table.

My curiosity forced my hand and I reached for it without thinking. It was a ring box. I turned it around as my mind raced with possibilities. I wondered why Matteo had a ring box in his study.

Inside the box, I found the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen. It was a delicate piece of jewelry made all the more beautiful due to its intricate design. The small gold ring band shun brightly, serving as a mesmerizing contrast to the emerald gem that sat in its center.

I fell in love with the ring the moment I saw it but my heart broke when I realized something crucial. Matteo and I had only just gotten together. The ring couldn’t possibly be for me.

Was there someone else? Did he fall in love with another woman while we were apart? Was this ring for her?

The questions clouded my mind as I walked out of the room, jewelry box in hand. I sat in the living room waiting for Matteo to get home. I needed an explanation. I needed to know if there had been someone else. Someone he loved enough to propose to.

When the elevator doors finally slid open, my heart felt heavy. I looked up at Matteo. He was smiling but his smile fell when hesaw me. I must have looked crazy sitting there with the velvet jewelry clutched within my fist.

I stood up and opened my hand so he knew exactly what I was holding. “Who is this ring for? Is there someone else? Did you love some other woman enough to want to marry her?”

---