Page 5 of King

I was young and, at just twenty-twenty one, I knew nothing about relationships or heartbreak. He was my first love and, unfortunately, my only love. He was older than me, at twenty-seven, and I looked up to him as though he knew everything. I didn’t question a word he said to me. Even when he told me, we could run away together. He told me we could make a life for ourselves.

He was already married to her. Bella. The most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, but he said he would leave her for me. And I believed him.

Of course, it wasn’t true. I still don’t know if he always knew he would never leave her or if, just for a moment, he let himself believe he might.

But at the end of the day - he chose her and his young boys. At the time, his oldest son, Santino, was only eight years old and his youngest, Dante, was five.

They’ve all met me, but I doubt they would remember it.

I hardly remember it - it feels like a thousand years ago.

A different life in a different world.

It broke me to pieces when he chose her, but now, years later, as a mother with my own son, I understand that he had no choice. His children came first - he chose them over love, over wild dreams. Even if he had loved me more than her - he would have chosen his family.

But now she’s gone, and his boys are old enough to know the truth.

Santino gently pries his brother from his father’s embrace and leads him away. My heart breaks for the pain the boys must be going through. I would hate for my son to experience the grief of losing me.

Giovanni takes a moment to compose himself, then turns towards me with anger in his eyes.

“What are you trying to do?” he snaps coldly.

“I just need to talk to you, Giovanni.” I answer, keeping my voice low because the crowd of people around are already staring with hostile intensity.

They can look all they want. It isn’t going to make me leave.

“And you honestly thought this was the right time?”

“It’s theonlytime. I’ve waited patiently for sixteen years.” I say with a deep sigh.

Giovanni pulls his mouth tight and shakes his head.

I think he finally understands that I’m not leaving until he gives me a chance to say what I came here to say.

With a tilt of his head, he gestures for me to follow him and I quickly grab Guido ’s hand and pull him to follow me. I will not leave him alone out here. Not with these people who look at him as though they hate him, even though they’ve got no idea who he is.

Romeo looks from me to his father and bolts towards the door that leads outside into the cold evening air, probably to find his brothers.

Guido stays close to my side as I step into the catering kitchen off the main hall near the back of the church.

I squeeze his hand, trying to reassure him that everything is going to be ok. I hope so. I hope it will be ok. My heart is racing. My shoulders are tight with anxiety and my stomach is knotted. I’ve practiced this conversation a thousand times in my head. But none of the scenarios I played out late at night while lying awake in the small hours of the morning could prepare me for coming face to face with the man from my past.

He is still as gorgeous as he’s always been.

Dark, thick hair frames his face and there are deep lines etched between his eyes. He used to scowl often, even when I knew him all those years ago. Whenever he was lost in thought, his brows would knot together. Now the lines in his face tell stories of a lifetime carrying that same expression.

Age suites him. He looks stronger, taller, more serious. But in his green eyes, I can still see the younger version of himself. That wild, beautiful man who I loved so deeply.

I take a deep breath.

Giovanni looks furious. But I imagine he is filled with grief and most of the emotions clouding his expression have nothing to do with me being here. Although he looks more than surprised to see me again.

“Zina. Of all the days for you to choose to show up on my doorstep - today is the worst.” He growls as he steps towards me.

I hold my ground, not taking a step back, not letting him see how nervous I am, even though he is towering over me ominously.

“Giovanni, you loved me once. You treated me with respect and with care. If any of that was ever true, then please, give me a chance now.”

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