chapter 12

Hope flickered in his eyes. "Then you understand—"

"But you're the one who caused that pain," I continued, my voice getting harder. "You're the betrayer. You're supposed to suffer more."

"Sloane, please. I know I made mistakes, but—"

"Mistakes?" I interrupted. "You call sleeping with your adopted sister a mistake? You call years of lies and deception a mistake?"

"Please," he whispered. "Let me make it right. Let's get remarried. I'll do anything—"

"Are you insane?" The words exploded out of me. "You have got to be absolutely out of your mind if you think there's even the slightest possibility of that happening."

"But I love you—"

"You had your chance to love me!" I shouted. "You chose to throw it away for someone else. You've been eliminated from my life, Matteo. Forever. You will never, *ever* have another opportunity."

Something in his face changed.

"I broke up with Calista," he said suddenly.

I froze. "What?"

"It's over between us. Completely over."

"And the baby?" I asked.

"Gone." His voice was barely audible. "She... we... it's gone."

I stared at him, horrified. "You're a monster."

"Sloane—"

"You destroyed everything. Your marriage, your relationship with her, an unborn child. You're not just a cheater, Matteo. You're a destroyer of lives."

I turned and walked toward the house, my hands shaking with rage.

"Wait!" He started to follow me, but stopped himself. I could feel his eyes on my back as I climbed the steps.

I slammed the door without looking back.

The next few days were a nightmare. Every morning when I looked out the window, Matteo's car was there. He didn't approach the house again, but his presence was like a dark cloud over what should have been a peaceful homecoming.

My parents were furious, but I asked them not to get involved. This was something I needed to handle myself.

On the fourth day, I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I'm going back to Germany early.

That night, I packed my bags and went to bed early, exhausted by the emotional drain of the past few days.

But when I woke up the next morning and looked out the window, Matteo's car was gone.

*Finally,* I thought. *Maybe God was listening to my prayers after all.*

I'm planning to continue resting at home, which is just wonderful.

******

Soon the holiday was over, and I had to reluctantly say goodbye to my parents and prepare to return to Germany. Sean was also going back with me, and he said he would come pick me up by car. We agreed to meet at exactly twelve noon.

When the doorbell rang at exactly twelve o'clock, I smiled and called out to Maria.

"That's Sean. Please let him in."

I heard the front door open, then Maria's confused voice: "Tony?"

My blood ran cold. I rushed to the foyer to find Tony, Matteo's assistant, standing in the doorway looking uncomfortable and exhausted.

"Mrs. San—I mean, Ms. Rossini," he corrected himself quickly. "I need to speak with you."

"What are you doing here?" I demanded.

Tony's face crumpled. "Matteo's in the hospital. There was an accident yesterday evening. A car crash."

*A car crash.* The words echoed in my mind, but I felt nothing. No concern, no fear, no sadness.

"He's going to recover," Tony continued quickly, "but his left leg... they had to amputate below the knee."

I stared at him. *An amputation. How terrible for him.*

"He's been asking for you," Tony pressed on. "He won't eat, won't cooperate with the doctors. He just keeps saying your name. Please, Ms. Rossini. I know things are complicated between you two, but he needs—"

"No."

Tony blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"No," I repeated more firmly. "I won't be visiting him. I won't be helping him. I won't be doing anything for him."

"But he loves you—"

"That's not my problem anymore." I looked Tony straight in the eye. "Please tell Matteo that this conversation, just like everything else between us, ended two years ago. There's nothing left to discuss."

Tony left helplessly.

Fifteen minutes later, Sean's car pulled into the driveway. I watched from the window as he got out, looking exactly like what he was.

*This is my life now,* I realized. *This is who I am.*

I picked up my bags and walked outside, leaving the past behind me where it belonged.

"Ready to go back to work?" Sean asked with a smile.

"More than ready," I replied, feeling a deep sense of inner peace.