Page 79 of Unruly Obsession
“She’s one of the kindest people I’ve met. Sometimes even someone like me can’t defend against that,” I say honestly.
“I’m sure you despised it at the start,” she says with a small smile.
“More than you’d ever know.”
She’s still smiling as she takes a seat on the sofa, rubbing her stomach adoringly. “I understand it well. I thought it was all an act when I first met her, until I realized that’s just who she is as a person. It’s strange to be blinded by that light when you’ve neverbeen raised with it. It’s a strength in itself, but her downside is she’s loyal to a fault, even to those who don’t deserve it.”
I sigh, realizing perhaps Ara and I have more in common than I ever knew.
“If she could ever feel something for a monster like me, she certainly has plenty of room in her heart. If I’m being honest, I find that although I stand by my decision of preventing her father from ever being able to hurt her again, I also can’t stand the idea of anyone other than me being by her side. It makes me dislike her big heart.”
“I won’t argue that you’re not my first choice for her,” Ara says honestly. “But I’ve made plenty of my own mistakes. Where Luca and I are cut from the same cloth, you and Lily are on either sides of a coin. You need to make peace with this and also somehow make my husband happy with the outcome.”
“Shouldn’t you be warning me away?”
She shrugs. “I would if I thought it was the best thing for her, but only she can decide that. As long as you respect her decision, no matter what she decides,” Ara warns with an edge to her tone. “I don’t want her unguarded until this is dealt with, whether she’s involved because of us or not. She’s family to me, and I choose to look after family.” She sears me with another pointed look.
It hits me then, the realization that Ara, for all her faults, has my back. I dip my head respectfully and quietly say, “Don’t ever tell the boss this, but I’ve come to enjoy how you raise hell for him.”
Her grin splits her face as I offer her a hand to help her stand up. “It can be our secret,” she replies with a wink.
34
LILY
So many people come to offer their condolences. I stand by my mother’s side as she quietly thanks each and every one of them. For the last week, she’s faded in and out of a numb type of mourning. Sometimes, when I go to knock on her bedroom door, I open it to reveal her asleep in her bed. Other times, she walks around the house and through her garden as if nothing had happened at all.
I’ve stayed at our family estate since my father’s death, sleeping in my childhood room. Although the monster himself is gone, the haunting memories remain.
My brother has remained at the estate as well, but he often doesn’t come home until late into the night, sometimes even in the early hours of the morning.
I suppose we’re all mourning differently.
However, I’m less focused on the man in the casket than I am on my mother.
I look to my left, where Sky stands to the side of the crowd, appearing like an idle bystander. However, I notice his sharp attention every time someone offers me their hand in condolence. He’s been watching over me in Lorenzo’s stead. Ihaven’t seen or heard from Lorenzo since I left his house the morning after he killed my father.
I spot Ara amongst the crowd of mourners and squeeze my mother’s hand before walking toward my friends. With everything that’s been happening, I’ve barely been able to talk with them. Sienna and Romi offer small, sad smiles, and Ara stands a few feet away, as if unsure if she’s welcome. She most likely feels somewhat responsible for the incident with my father because she undoubtedly knows it was Lorenzo’s doing. I’ve received countless calls from her, but I haven't answered or returned any of them, just needing time for myself.
Romi pulls me in for a hug first. “I’m sorry.”
I’m not.
It’s a cold response that I’d never say out loud, but since my father’s death, I haven’t felt anything for him. I hate to admit it—this part of me that feels such freedom because of it. I’ve had some time to slowly process that, and although I know it's an ugly truth, it’smyugly truth.
“Thank you,” I say as Sienna pulls me into a hug.
“Whatever you need, let us know. You know we’re always here for you, girl,” Sienna says sympathetically.
“I know.” I rub her arm and then come face-to-face with Ara, who looks as if she doesn’t know what to do or say.
I embrace her, and slowly her arms wrap around me. “I’m sorry I haven’t called you back,” I whisper. “It’s just been a lot.”
When I pull back, she offers a small smile and a nod. “Let’s make some time this week. I want you to depend on me.”
I look past the crowd and see a sizable man standing on the hilltop, peering down on us. I know without a doubt it’s Lorenzo, watching from a distance.
My stomach curls with yearning, hate, and pain. Because through it all—with all the uncertainty of what’s to come—my mind continues to circle back to him. Whether I treated himunfairly, whether I was in the right, whether I still care, when logically I should know better.
