Page 161 of Arianna

“Parisi. Gabriele Parisi.” He says my father’s name with so much hatred that I feel it all around me. His hate. His grief.

All because of me.

Because of my family.

“Why?” I don’t have to say it, he understands. Why keep all of this from me? I don't understand. Not completely.

“My apologies, darling. You were collateral damage.” He says as a small smile appears on his face.

“No.” I say hoarsely then think back to everything he’s done for me. This is not happening. “Why then? If I was just collateral to you, then why bring me my father’s finger with promises? A vow? Why do all that you did? No…” I hug myself tighter as the rain falls harder around me. Just as fast as my tears. “Why ruin your reputation and chances to win the campaign by associating yourself with a Parisi?”

“I needed you to fully trust me.” He shrugs, unfeeling. “Revenge tastes sweeter when the other person doesn't expect it, and you, my darling, had no clue the game you lost the moment you stepped foot inside my world.” He steps closer until his black oxfords are touching my bare feet. “My career and reputation were never at stake, Arianna. You underestimated just how much my father was loved by the people of this city and just how much they hate the Parisi, Nicolasi, and Volpe names. My parents can rest easy now.” Hatred, unlike I had never seen, darkens his blue irises, leaving me cold and…hurt.

So hurt.

Confused, but knowing this is a losing battle, I try one last time.

I am not my father.

If only I had known…maybe I could have…

I try one more time before my heart gives out.

This hurts.

“I know you, Sebastian.” I step forward, and I'm instantly hurt when he steps back from me as if he wants nothing to do with me. “You don’t want this. I am sorry about your parents and what my father did, but I–”

“That was your first mistake.” He cuts me off as the flashes of the cameras become more aggressive. “Thinking you mattered enough for me to let you in.”

“Bullshit.” My heart pounds faster, annoyed and angry.

Sebastian’s eyes flash, and I see his need to tell me to watch my mouth, but he doesn’t. Instead, he does something else.

He shoots me with an invisible gun straight through my chest, piercing my heart. “Save yourself the embarrassment, darling, and leave quietly. Banning will take care of you. This is my last show of mercy.” I feel Benjamin at my back, pulling me back gently away from Sebastian.

“What about Ella?” I shout desperately. Oh, God. No. Not again. My heart won’t survive losing her just like I did my sisters. I watch Sebastian’s eyes turn sad before quickly concealing them with the same emptiness, I hate so much from him.

Cold.

Heartless.

Merciless.

I could forgive him for acting like an asshole, wanting to hurt me in a misguided attempt to protect me from all this chaos, but taking my girl from me?

I could never forgive that.

“Don’t do this, Sebastian.” My voice breaks as everything around me fades to gray.

Sebastian, the man that holds my heart in his cruel hands, looks at me and crushes my heart mercilessly with the words that come out of his mouth next. “She is young. She will forget.”

But what about me? I want to scream at him, to claw at his chest until I can get my hands around his deceiving heart and break it, just the same as he did mine.

I will never forget.

How could I?

She is a part of me, just like her cruel father.

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