“That was uncalled for. I apologize on his behalf, Val.”
“You didn’t do anything.”
“Oh, I like your hair! It’s new! When did this happen?”
A knot forms in my throat as I stare at Giulio’s right-hand man.
Did he tell him about …?
“Lovely, what’s going on?” Lance frowns when my lips part to no words. “Giulio hasn’t been himself all day. He didn’t tell me anything, only that he ruined everything. Did something happen between you two from yesterday to today?”
“You could say that.”
“Am I imposing if I ask what?”
I attempt to explain it the best I can without revealing too much. “It wouldn’t be imposing, but it’s complex. I wish I could tell you, but I don’t think it is the right thing to do. Not by him.”
There’s a ghost of a smile on his lips and it encourages me to be better. Close friend and business partner to Giulio since college, Lance Hilton has always been supportive of us. They’ve known each other for fourteen years and throughout the past seven years I saw him every week; Lance and I have also become close. I know I can always trust and rely on him.
Does he know about what really happened to Pietro Giannotti?
I don’t think Giulio would tell him. Last night he said nobody else knew except Marcus and me. And so I take my losses and block the thought that Lance could have been misleading me this whole time too.
“Look, I’m on both of your sides. Ever since I met Giulio, all he has ever wanted to do was protect the ones he loves. I remember even before he proposed to you, how he told me how much you were his savior. That you were the woman he wanted to create the family he never had with. A stable one. A united one. He sees refuge in you and is hopeful about Addilyn now. Giulio never stopped loving you. I can’t tell you what to do but I can say that this past month he’s been happier with you around more. If something happened last night and you’re both looking at divorce…I hope you two find a common ground because I love you both together.”
Lance gives me a side hug before we step inside the now vacant elevator. I attempt to hide the tears burning down my cheek, but the pain is carved on my face and it caves me in.
Everything follows me with a shadow of doubt.
Every single thing.
“Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“You’re welcome. Giulio didn’t tell me to say any of that, it just felt right for me to say. I think back to that night he brought you home after that incident with Bryce…and I remember seeing the pure love in Giulio’s eyes. I don’t think he’ll ever be able to stop loving you, but if I’m wrong, if this is the end…then I’m sorry, Val. I’m sorry that it has to come to this.”
“So am I.”
“That one was funny! Let’s watch that one again!”
When Slonne’s sparkling eyes meet mine, she has no idea of the pain and torment I have been through overnight. She knows none of it and it needs to stay this way. While Oscar is helping Giulio in the kitchen on popcorn duty, my daughter and I decide on a short film. We’re going to be watching the movie I promised last week when hell hadn’t broken loose yet.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s to not catastrophize on the future. To take it day by day and concentrate on what I can control. Just like it was stated in his handbook.
During the time Giulio and I were good, my depression eased. It returned in small waves, but there was this blanket of security over me. Now that our family is broken again, I’ve been attempting to summon my strength to concentrate on the silver linings, but it’s difficult to do when you feel as though there’s a gaping hole where your heart is supposed to be.
Giulio and I haven’t spoken a word about the events that went down last night. He is the last person I want to see, but between work and the kids, it’s inevitable. When he presented himself at my desk after my lunch hour and stated how the twins want me to come over in the evening to watch a movie, I couldn’t say no to the thought of their cute faces.
We have to put on brave faces for them and act as if nothing happened.
Giulio’s eyes couldn’t even meet mine after I agreed and that became our only conversation the entire day. When I arrived at the Madrona house less than twenty minutes ago, the silence continued between us, even as the twins ran up to me and complimented me on my hair.
The reality is everything happened.
Last night ruined everything.
The pain has me gripped and I continue losing my breath remembering that Giulio killed that intruder. Although I know it was to protect me, he didn’t need to extend the torment in ensuring he was dead. I accept that killing his father was self-defense and a fight or flight moment; I accept that he was protecting me by pulling the trigger…but when we saw the man was still alive…when we heard him talking about Addilyn, why did he have to shoot him dead instead of calling the police?
As Oscar rushes into the living room and his father trails behind with a large bowl of popcorn, I give Giulio a good look while he’s distracted with the twins. I do my best to ignore the fire in my heart and between my thighs. Just then, I’m reminded of Lance’s words, and that sense of security vanishes; Giulio never stopped loving you.
How many lies has Giulio told me? Was this the first?
Who got rid of the body for him?
We should have gone to the police and pleaded self-defense!
Giulio falls into the seat
