Page 88 of Of Lies and Shadows

And for the first time since I realized she was mine, I wonder if there’s truly a way back.

And if not… how strong I’ll have to be to let her go.

Chapter Nineteen

Francesca

Walking away from him after he told me he loved me was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

I don’t think a man like Dante Forzi is capable of that kind of love. Not the kind I deserve. How could someone capable of such cruelty possibly understand what it means to love someone wholly, gently, without condition?

I think he loves the idea of me. The woman his childrenadore, the woman who loves them back. He loves that I make his life easier. That I satisfy him sexually. At least, I think I did, judging by the noises he made and the complete one-eighty in his attachment style.

But that isn’t love.

A man like that can’t love. Not me. Not the way we started. Not with all the damage between us.

I shake my head, trying to clear the storm of thoughts as I wait for the doctor to renew my contraceptive shot. We dropped the twins at school earlier, and I told Fulvio he could take the morning off. Despite what Dante says, I know Fulvio resents being assigned as our shadow. Bruno, at least, makes me feel safe.

Safe-ish, and right now, that’s all I can ask for.

By the time I slip out through the back entrance of the hospital, Bruno is waiting by the car. He barely glances at me before asking, “What happened?”

I blink. “What do you mean?”

He shoots me a look that’s flat and unimpressed. The kind only someone who knows you too well can give.

“You’re too quiet. Don’t insult me.”

I hesitate, then exhale. “He told me he loved me.”

Bruno’s brows lift. “How dare he?”

I snort. “You don’t get it.”

“Then explain it to me.”

We slide into the car, but he doesn’t start it, waiting for me to continue.

“Men like him don’t love,” I say quietly. “They conquer. They control. But love? No. That’s not in their vocabulary.”

Bruno’s quietfor a moment, then he says, “I don’t know. I think it’s possible. Love in our world, it’s quieter. Hidden. It has to be. But I’ve seen it. I think… maybe you’ve only seen the ugliest parts.”

I hate that my heart reacts to his words. Hates that it stirs hope. “Not with Dante,” I insist. “Not with me.”

He looks over. Calm. Steady. “Tell me something. Do you really think he’s incapable of love… or just incapable of lovingyou?”

The air whooshes out of my lungs. I stare at him, stunned.

“Are you a psychologist now?” I try to deflect, but my voice lacks heat.

He gives me a sideways smile. “I know you. Better than you think.”

I clear my throat. “Can we go to the mall? I have a list of things to buy for the twins.”

He watches me for a moment longer, like he’s debating whether to push further, then nods. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

We pull out of the parking lot in silence, but his earlier words sit too heavy in my chest to ignore. I should drop it. Let it go. But I can’t.

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