Neither us said word on the way back to the Matteo was quiet and when I occasionally glanced at his direction, was gripping steering wheel hard as he looked straight ahead on road. His jaw was clenched which meant was still upset. was probably holding himself back from bursting out anger I didn’t want to take my chances. I was closer to the door, somehow afraid if he going say anything if I stood nearer to him. So, when we got to the estate, he stepped inside without looking at me. As soon as we the I to throw my the ground–causing an mess caught his “What you think you’re He asked, an eyebrow. “Who am I you?” “What?” been ignoring me ever since we got back Sicily. you showed up tonight pretending you care about me. You said whatever happened that night can never happen again, and set boundaries, you decided it was okay to finger me?!” I was furious because I enough of this–if he serious setting boundaries, he wasn’t supposed to me. was supposed to stay away. Not ignoring me for a whole week after me. My feelings were all place. “So, asking you who am I to you? Because help me God, I’m not your goddamn wife. I’m your girlfriend. not lover. nobody to you. ” I continued ask, closing us. asking for you to respect this relationship. “I am relationship. You’re not respecting my feelings,” say a word as he took a few steps back. was trying to avoid this conversation. He was trying to walk away back to his to give me any answers. don’t anything to say to Alena. He around, leaving to face his back he walked up the stairs. Go your office. Drown work. I don’t give damn!” first, I expected him to back and give me the answers I needed but he disappeared. He didn’t even back down to comfort me. It was clear where I stand and all I needed was a slap back to reality. So, a week of ignoring each other turned to two weeks. weeks ended up turning to one month. A month another month and I realized, we haven’t spoken each other three months. Every morning, he was gone and every night, he wasn’t even the estate. If I had early shifts in the morning, his car wasn’t in the garage, was he. If I had late night shifts, he was sleeping in his room or not even home. Maybe, it was my fault for the conversation, but I didn’t regret anything. 20:38 Wed, Oct 9 Chapter 12 After whole incident at bar, Zach Lily didn’t time ask me about Matteo on the next day. surprised when I told them we eloped. Zach apologized for kissing because he was the moment and well, Lily she was blaming herself for being to remember details, but she caught a glimpse of Matteo. She said I lucky to marry a guy. Well, if only they about my reality. only they knew I happy. I couldn’t complain this was the 1 had chosen. My were leaving me behind–Papa me few times, but ignored him. Alexei, the hand, did a good job in keeping his distance. So, here was in front of my home. “Alena?” Mama opened the door, her eyes wide before me in for a hug. My eyes were beginning wet with I inhaled her scent. I missed her so much I couldn’t stay away for needed her. She was there me through going to her behind. I missed you. “I missed you so more, sweetheart. Come inside, Her warm hand me in as closed the door behind her. She me go as we walked into the kitchen. The smell of her cooking back memories. saw a plates of freshly food on the table. “You came in time lunch, sweetheart. “Mama… She shook her head, okay. Let’s eat first then we’ll talk. My favorite was her and she made delicious ones. been a while since I had Russian Mama. “I’m glad like them. We talked about few and herself. Mama pretty lonely lately because Papa and Alexei were busy with business–I didn’t to ask was involving himself in the Bratva. So, was busying with shopping afternoon with her friends. At least she was herself. I was she was happy. Even though she felt lonely. “How are you, sweetheart? You look thin. ” She touched back of my hand, smiling sadly. It was hard to lie to Mama, but I had to. The pretending lying was harder in of her of anyone else. “Believe it’s intentional. I’ve been trying lose a few pounds. go too on yourself. need to eat, too. eat, Mama. been busy with work. She shook head, “Work, work, and work. sick if you work too often. Naughed, “Mama everyone goes to work. “Not you. You work too hard,” 20:38 Oct 9 “I know. I’ll try slow down that makes you worried, okay?” ” She sighing as she continued to look at me. It was the look on her face, and I knew she wasn’t going the subject any longer. Besides, she saw the ring my finger, and it was obvious she knew about me cloping. “Are you happy, sweetheart?” “Don’t I look happy, Mama?” “You do. You look happy but I’m just asking. your I’m very concerned about your well–being. “Mama, just ask me. You want to know about my husband, you?” She smiled, mean to pry. I know were upset with Papa. I just want to know if you made the right choice, sweetheart. He’s quite famous Italian boy,” “I love him. If that’s what you’re asking. ” The escaped smoothly from my mouth, wanting to her that she didn’t have to worry. Even though wasn’t the truth and even though was lie to her. “Your thinks otherwise. “Well, doesn’t know me. He’s just upset I marry Viktor “Did you marry Matteo to get back to your father?” But I going to tell that. I wasn’t going tell her anything about our contract–I trust her when it came keeping secrets, she was going to too much. “No, Mama. I along the way, we fell in love. ” I replied with smile, trying convince her. “He doesn’t want me to marry someone else. We we could still get to know each other after we got married. If in the picture, we weren’t going to marry that quickly “I understand. you just told your father, honey,” He doesn’t listen. won’t listen. ” I sighed, “Do remember when I wanted to go into medical school? He everything prevent me going. “As long as you’re happy, Alena there’s hold you back. want you to be happy with you choose want what’s best if I didn’t you or text you, I bad for what happened that night. I supposed to defend you, but I didn’t, and I held that burden for so long. It’s such relief see you here today,” “I would never hate Mama. I know you’re in a tough spot,” “I’ve raised a sweetheart, haven’t I?” She tried to hide the tears from falling down her face. “Please, Matteo over soon. I really to son–in–law,” Her request was almost impossible. Bringing Matteo to this house was probably cause between mafias but between Papa, Alexel, and Matteo. It was bringing an enemy into I knew couldn’t hold it back any longer. Sooner or later, they were bound to meet. They might not each other because of their peace treaty but they weren’t going to be either. As we about different managed to show Mama photos from Sicily. They came in my email, the other day when I working. They were beautiful–too bad they weren’t real. I bother to tell Matteo about but I was sure he got in his email. Mama was crying and smiling when she looked at pictures. Honestly, the photographer did a very good job. The pictures looked real, we were like couple. kissing, hands and being close. Chapter 12 It was a dream come true any couples. Mama to believe the story more looked at the pictures. And was relieved because she beginning to him, even though she was only hearing stories from me. was painful to lic. decided to leave. Luckily for me, and Alexei weren’t home yet.