Page 95 of Vengeful Vows

“Mmm. Did he?”

The lack of concern in her voice intrigues me.

“My nephew is a stubborn man.”

Though I agree, I say nothing.

“He’s not himself these days.”

Why are you telling me this?

“You love him,” she muses.

“Am I that obvious?”

“That’s a good thing.” She smiles. “He loves you too.”

I sit back, and my shoulders slump.

“He just hasn’t accepted that fact yet. Can you be patient?”

“Aunt Gina?—”

“Coming to terms during a divorce can take a great deal of time.”

I lace my fingers together. Is she advising me to stall?

“Follow your heart as well as your head.” She stands, and I follow suit. “I meant it when I said you’re the daughter I’ve never had. Selfishly I don’t want to lose you.”

I smile back, but it fades quickly. “I feel the same way.”

“You’re welcome at Christmas dinner. Regardless of the…situation.”

Though I appreciate the offer, there’s no way I’ll be able to force myself to share the holiday table with Nico—a man who still owns my heart.

Once she leaves, I have to force myself to get back to work.

Somehow I manage to get through the day, and when I walk outside to meet Antonio, I pause, recalling Aunt Gina’s assertion.

He loves you too.

Stars are twinkling in the sky. They’re the first glimmer of hope I’ve had since the day I discovered Nico Moretti’s true identity.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

Nico

When I sentthe divorce settlement agreement over to Bella, I knew it would destroy me. But I had no idea what that meant.

I’ve been short-tempered and impossible to deal with. My executive assistant—a saint who has put up with my shit for almost eight years—walked off the job yesterday and is threatening not to return. Not that I blame her. She is not the only one who can’t tolerate being around me.

In addition to not sleeping, I’m rarely eating, and every area of my life is suffering.

Now that I’ve untethered myself from my quest for revenge, I don’t know what my next step is.

“The fuck is wrong with you, Nico?”

Matteo’s irritated demand drags me back to the present.

---