Page 21 of Meet Me in Montreal

“It’s so weird that he cries when I come home and not when I leave,” Dani said, swaying with Adriano’s fat cheek pressed against hers.

Yeah, definitely smashed. Nico was running his hand up and down her back, looking like he couldn’t wait to kick everybody out and get her upstairs. They were going to have fun tonight after the kid was asleep for sure.

But before she could indulge her husband or his caresses, Dani turned to look at him, blinking rapidly.

“You,” she said, pointing at Santino. “I know what you did. And now you’re in troublllllle!” Her voice rang out. It was easy to imagine her as a little girl, ready to tattle on her siblings.

“Why, what’s he done now?” Nico asked, turning to give him the stink-eye.

“Aruuuuba! And also, he told her he was going to sign the papers today. He didn’t do it.Again.” Dani hiccupped, giving the baby back to Nico and flinging herself back on the couch with Gina. “She was really upset when I saw her. I know, we’re not supposed to talk about her to you and vice versa, but she told me everything. And she was so sad, she kept forcing me to drink.”

Gina sat up straight with her mouth dropping open. “What? That was today? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Do I really need to tell youeverythingI do?” he asked.

“Yes. Yes, you do!” Gina responded with exasperation.

Santino was grateful Nico hadn’t followed up on what his wife had said about knowing what he’d done. Had Vanessa told her everything about the Aruba trip?

Nico looked disgusted. “Okay, this has gone on for too long. Have you apologized?”

“Apologize for what? I never cheated on her.”

“Okay, fine, but have you talked to her? Really talked to her? You need to either have an actual grown-up conversation with Vanessa about how to fix your marriage or sign those papers already.”

“Talk to her? Oh,marone, why didn’t I think of that? Nico, you’re such a genius, how do I even cross the street without you holding my little fucking hand?” Santino cried.

Nico’s lips twisted. “I hope the sarcasm is keeping you warm at night because your wife isn’t.”

Damn. Out of everything Nico ever said to him over the years about screwing up his marriage with Vanessa, that hit the hardest. He knew Nico loved him and worried about him, especially that first year after the breakup when he’d scared the family so much, they’d never left him alone.

Memories of the time crept into his head like a thief, one that had stolen his joy and left a bitter, endless craving in its place…

The trip down to Aruba with Antoinette went without incident. Wilson Li welcomed them warmly and assured Santino she’d be safe there as long as she wanted to stay. He’d left on the next morning flight after spending an agonizing night in his own room, trying to call Vanessa and getting no answer.

He left voicemails. Nothing.

He resorted to texting. He was back in New York by the following afternoon.

As he approached the house, anticipation to see her rose strong and bright. He couldn’t wait to hold her, to feel her, to be reassured that their love was strong enough to withstand anything.

His hopes fell all at once when Vanessa’s car was missing from the driveway and the garage. Maybe she was at her brother’s or taking her walk in the park.

Then…the locks wouldn’t open for his keys.

Then…he discovered the alarm code had been changed on all the doors, including the entrance from the garage.

A box of his clothes and other essentials were inside said garage with a note that declared he could either schedule a time to pick up the rest or she could have it sent wherever he chose. In the meantime, she was going away for a little while. She didn’t say where.

A frantic visit to the house in Chappaqua revealed nothing. Nadine assured him Vanessa was okay, but she wasn’t there, and Nadine was not at liberty to reveal where she’d gone. Bobby, who’d become like one of his own brothers, had come outside and raged at him for breaking his sister’s heart.

And when she got back, and they spoke, she said she’d meant it. They were over.

Santino couldn’t believe it when he realized she’d blocked his number and blocked him online. He went to the house every day and begged, begged for her to let him back in, but she’d cut him off like she never even knew him. Finally, reality sunk in that he’d lost her. At that point, he retreated to his parents’ house, got in his old bed, and didn’t get out of it for weeks.

He fell. Tumbled into a void, a hole so deep, so black, it seemed bottomless.

And he still hadn’t completely clawed his way out to this day.

---