Page 68 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession
“What do you mean?” she frowned.
“He said I made it all up,” I continued, the memory fresh and painful. “Like I'd deliberately set out to hurt him.”
“He did not!” she gasped, clutching at her chest. “What a jerk! I saw the evidence too. It was all clear as day.”
“I know, but he didn’t even get to the photo of Adriana and her lover.” I wiped my eyes. “It’s like he just didn’t want to listen.”
“Fool. A stubborn fool,” Larissa clicked her tongue, and I saw a flash of anger on her face that I didn’t quite like. I felt like I wasn’t giving her the whole picture. Like, she understood me, but Gastone, too, had his reasons, right?
“But I understand why he reacted that way,” I added. “It's a lot to process—finding out the woman you loved was unfaithful.”
Larissa was watching me carefully. “Sure, but that’s no reason for him to treat you like that.”
“He doesn’t always treat me like that,” I said quickly. “In fact, never, apart from that one time. Usually, he’s so kind, so gentle. When he looks at me sometimes, I feel like the most important person in the world. And that’s what hurts the most. That was when it mattered; he couldn’t see me that way. I… I guess…I thought I meant more. As much as he means to me.”
Larissa smiled. “You love him.”
The words hung in the air between us. Did I love Gastone? Was this constant pain in my throat, my chest, my heart that I felt from not being around his love? Was the replaying of every word he said, wishing it had been otherwise, love? Was it the fact that I slept like a baby through the night when I knew he lay beside me, love?
“I don't know,” I admitted. “Maybe. Is that crazy?”
“No,” Larissa laughed softly. “The heart wants what it wants.”
“Adriana must have been special,” I said quietly, needing to know what she had that I didn’t.
“She was,” Larissa nodded. “I only met her a few times, but she was beautiful, charming. He was completely besotted.”
“Lucky woman,” I murmured, ignoring the pang in my chest. “To be loved like that.”
Larissa's eyes softened. “Elena, my brother loves fiercely. It's his greatest strength and his greatest flaw. He can't see clearly when his heart is involved.”
“I know,” I sighed. “That's why I can't be too angry with him. Finding out Adriana betrayed him... it must be like losing her all over again.”
“Thank you,” Larissa said suddenly, reaching for my hand.
“For what?”
“For seeing the good in him, even when he's being an ass,” she smiled. “Not many would.”
I returned her smile, feeling lighter after this conversation. “He makes it hard sometimes, but the good is definitely there.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment.
“I miss him,” I confessed, barely above a whisper. “It's only been a few days, but it feels longer.”
“Have you thought about calling him back?” Larissa asked.
I shook my head. “What would I say? Nothing's changed.”
“You could tell him what you just told me,” she suggested. “And perhaps he’d be willing to listen.”
“He wouldn’t,” I said obstinately, even though a part of me longed to hear his voice and go back to how things were. But another part feared he would say even meaner things.
“I need more time,” I decided. “I'm not ready yet.”
Larissa squeezed my hand. “That's fair. Do what you need to, but you can’t run away from this forever.”
I nodded. I knew that. Eventually, I would have to speak to him. But for now, I was in too much pain already to add more to it. I knew he was still angry.
