Page 105 of Angelo

"It is the least I can do."

"If you ever need—"

Isabella spoke over her, "Elyse?"

"Yes?"

"I will be changing my number and address soon. I must protect myself against Boris. I think it would be best if we went our separate ways after today."

"I-I understand."

"I am sorry for leaving you again."

"I wish things could be different for us."

"Me, too."

"Good luck to you, Elyse."

Goodbye…"

Mom.

Elyse couldn't bring herself to say the word out loud. It felt too painful. They hung up the phone as strangers once more. Powerful emotions battled within. Sadness left her hollow. Deflated. It seemed she'd never be able to build a real relationship with her mother. Relief spread through her. At least, Alessandro would be safe. Guilt clung to her as well. Because the insinuation behind Isabella'syesmeant that Benedetto had agreed to turn himself in.

Elyse thought she would resent Benedetto forever for what he had done to Isabella and her, but, now, her heart hurt for him. The man was willing to spend the rest of his days in a cell in exchange for his daughter's forgiveness.

Perhaps, Malina had been right about her grandfather, after all?

After taking a few deep breaths to gather her composure, Elyse went to seek out her husband, to tell him the good news.

Or was it bad news?

She found Alessandro in their bedroom. He'd been talking on the phone and hung up right as she entered the doorway.

Setting his phone aside, Alessandro's face tightened with concern once he saw her stricken expression. "What is a matter,cuore mio?"

"Benedetto has agreed to turn himself in."

He gasped. "What?"

She proceeded to explain, "It was my mother who convinced him."

When Elyse finished telling him everything, Alessandro confessed, "When Benedetto came to us about Boris, I considered reaching out to Isabella. I wanted to offer her protection and remove Boris' hold over your grandfather..."

Her eyes widened when she realized how much thought her husband had put into this before arriving at his seemingly rash plan. "Why didn't you?"

Alessandro explained, "Isabella's cooperation would have been a game-changer, but she asked me to never contact her again after your father's funeral. I did not feel right about forcing my will on her after what she went through with your grandfather. You know how our world works. If Isabella came back, she would not be able to leave again."

Their minds always seemed to fall on the same page. With a grim expression, Elyse asked, "Is that why you tried to sacrifice yourself?"

"Yes."

To survive and get ahead in their world, one had to be ruthless and cunning, but it was one thing to plot the deaths and downfall of hardened criminals who wanted to harm them. It was another matter altogether to force a traumatized woman to return to her place of trauma.

"You are a good man, Alessio."

"I am trying to be."

---