"5, I met you. Understood that I was born to marry you. You were silent, you were shy. But I managed to make you be my friend.

At age 13, I fell in love with you. I loved your cheeky smile.  I loved the way I am the only person you rely on.

At age 17, I became yours and promised myself to you. I pledged to wait for you no matter how long. You were sweet, caring, and treated me like I'm the only woman in your world.

At age 18, you left. Moving to another country to meet the future that you are born to. I waited but you hardly called.

At age 25, you came back for me, but you're not the man I knew.
From the day I was born, I was meant to be his. It was okay. Everything was great. I loved him as we played on the playgrounds, as we watched grow up- and he loved me. Suddenly, he left with his father to go to Italy leaving me behind for seven years, he came back but he wasn't the same.
From the day I was born, I was meant to be his. I was happy to be his. But he was no longer the man who I was betrothed to"

His betrothed

　　"Hello, son. Thought I might stay here in your manor for a while."


　　His presence alone makes me quiver in fear. I haven't even noticed that my heart stopped beating when I noticed that he is here in the living room. He stood there right in front of us.


　　A cane in his hand, supporting his weight. I can still remember the first time I saw him at my birthday party when I was five. He had this poker face on and never smiles. He was a fine middle-aged man who always seems to be in the middle of a battlefield. He never lets himself loose.


　　Even Matteo beside me was shocked at his presence. I know how much he fears his father. If I fear him, he fears him. I understood how he is always abusive to Matteo mentally even as a child.


　　Fortunately, I was there to keep him sane and grounded. I became a family Matteo never had. Dante only saw him as an extension of his existence, he thinks Matteo should be exactly like him for the sake of his legacy.


Chapter 17