Page 29 of Throne of Sin

The woman laughs at what he’s saying. Out of the corner of my eye, I study his face while trying to make it look like I haven’t seen him yet. His features are relaxed, he’s smiling, unlike every time he sees me. His smile is a panty dropper, it’s the same one that caught my attention all those years ago. He’s so handsome when he lets his guard down. Dante spots me and the hardened lines reappear on his face, his easy smile replaced with a forced one.

“Demi.”

I tuck a piece of hair behind my ears, expecting to see jealousy and an angry scowl when the girl turns toward me. Instead, she steps up and gives me a hug, catching me by surprise.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” she says, holding the hug longer than is comfortable. I stand there with my arms at my sides, taken back by the warm welcome. “I’m Charlotte, Savio’s wife.”

Relief floods my nerves. Dante whispers something to her and she slaps him teasingly. That’s when I see her ring glisten, catching on a light from the house. She’s wearingmyring. My hand catches hers and studies it.

“What a beautiful ring.” I force my smile.

She gives Dante a look before replying, “Thank you. It means the world to me.”

I swallow the saliva pooling in my mouth. My body heats and I can’t look at Dante.

I drop her hand. “Excuse me.” This is too much. I’m in over my head.

My fake smile drops the moment I turn. I must look rude and crazy right now. I don’t know why I thought Dante would keep that ring, why I always assumed I’d be the one wearing it. It makes no rational sense.

I walk to the edge of the property, thankful for the shadows that shield my movements from prying eyes. My chest heaves with each ragged breath I take in time with my thundering pulse. I’m out of my element here. All I want to do is curl up in Oakleigh’s bed and cuddle her. She’s always been my anchor, the reason I have kept going.

I wrap my arms around my middle, fighting back my sad thoughts. I hate that I couldn’t have done more; for myself, for my daughter, for Dante and our past.

Nausea squeezes my stomach, twisting it so hard it’s almost unbearable.

My hand goes into my pocket and I quickly unwrap a candy. Its sweet flavor only cramps my insides more instead of relieving the pressure. I unwrap another, hoping this one will ease my pain. My tummy revolts with each step I take, forcing me to place two fingers into my mouth and throw up everything I’ve eaten today.

In moments like this, my sensitive stomach always makes an appearance. The overwhelming sensation builds until I can’t take it anymore, and I fix the pain by emptying my stomach. It’s the only control I have over it. I feel suffocated and I hate myself for doing it.

Using my palm, I wipe my mouth and look for a place to sit but there’s nothing to comfortably lean against or sit on. I plant myself down in the shadows and lie on the soft, lush grass. The night stars are clouded over, leaving a black sky with only the party lights illuminating the area.

“I never thought I’d see the day when Demi Gallo looked jealous.”

My head lolls to the side to find a cocky-looking Dante, before I look back to the starless sky. He stands over me, blocking my view. Why must he look gorgeous and happy while I’m having an internal meltdown?

He surprises me by sitting down next to me.

“The grass might stain your expensive suit.”

He chuckles, moving around to get more comfortable.

“I thought you liked to reign over your peasants from the deck,” I say, refusing to look at him. His warm hand covers mine but I don’t feel his eyes on me, he must be looking at the sky. This was our favorite thing to do back in the day.

“You said no to the ring when you never showed up.” His voice is soft, and his fingers rub over mine. I don’t want to be having this conversation, my instincts are to avoid it at all costs. My insides tighten with the impeding conflict. I just want everyone to be happy, even if it’s at the expense of my own happiness.

“That was a long time ago.” I sigh.

“Savio and Charlotte got married spontaneously. He didn’t have a ring. They were in the middle of their vows when I ran out of the room and gave it to them. That ring was meant for someone special. I was never going to be giving it to anyone but you, but I had to move on, and the only way I could was by letting go of that ring.”

“It’s not that I didn’t love you, you know?” Tears try to push their way into my eyes. I blink, forcing them back as much as I can. “I was dealing with a lot back then.”And pregnant with your baby.That same stomach-twisting crunch grasps hold of my middle when I think back to that day. “I had planned to come back to you.” I should have never left his roof to pack a bag and just left with the clothes on my back. It was a silly idea to want to bring Stitches with us. All of the what ifs I’ve thought about every day since then cross my mind.

A tear leaks from the side of my eyes.I’m stronger than this, stop being a child.

“I just don’t understand. Was it you wanted more? Was I not good enough?” The vulnerability that laces his tone has my guilt sitting heavy on my chest.

I stay silent, not knowing how to respond and scared my voice will break the moment I try to speak.

“The thing is, you always come back. I hate being the butt of a joke.” His gaze is looking past me, as if he’s not here in the moment, but somewhere else.

---