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Hurt flashed across her face before she schooled her features into a neutral mask.
“My life or my relationship with my mother is none of your fucking business. If you think you have any say in my family’s affairs, just because of a pity fuck, you’re sorely mistaken, princess.”
She held her ground, eyes narrowed into emerald slits.
Such a pain in the ass.
“Message received, Alessandro Falcone.” Then she took a step forward, until her nose almost touched mine. “Should’ve known you’ve got a foul temper. But I won’t be intimidated by you.”
Anger swelled inside me, a wildfire consuming the last traces of restraint. I took a menacing step toward her, crowded her until her back hit the wall. I could feel movement behind me. But I was furious with her, but even more so with myself.
Some part of me had hoped she would stand by me without question, like a true partner might. Instead, she was judging me. Was clearly disappointed in me.
Belittling me.
Scolding me in front of my family.
She saw me as a fuck-up, probably why she outright rejected the idea of carrying my child.
I glared at her, but she didn’t back down—refused to look away.
Damn insolent brat.
But there was something else in her eyes.
A knowledge.
She saw too much, saw right through to my every fault, every insecurity—had done so right from the beginning. She had wormed her way in. And she wasn’t afraid to call me out either—embarrass me in front of everyone.
It was time I rebuilt the walls around me before they shattered like my reputation did.
“If you have no loyalty to me,” I said softly so only she could hear me, “then you have no place here. I want you gone. Now.”
Hurt flickered in her eyes before resolve hardened her expression. Without another word, she slipped beneath my arm and stormed out of the room.
Sophie followed—which earned me an eye roll from Gabe.
My mother stared at me, then slowly shook her head as if I was the world’s biggest disappointment. But she said nothing, turned on her heel, and left, as well.
Regret tugged at my conscience, but I pushed it aside. I couldn’t afford weaknesses or distractions, not with a war looming on the horizon and my own future in limbo.
And Fee was the biggest distraction of all.
She would only get in the way. Was already getting in the way. And I couldn’t afford to be distracted.
Matt, who’d moved closer before, probably to interfere, stepped away, brows drawn into a stern line. “That was unnecessarily cruel. Go after her and make this right.”
I glared at him, resentment simmering in my gut. “Stay out of it. This doesn’t concern you either.”
Matteo’s gaze bored into me, his expression stern. “If you say so, brother,” he said, aiming right for the jugular. “But you’re a goddamn fool. You’ll regret pushing her away like this.”
I gritted my teeth but remained silent.
He shook his head, then left, as well.
Regret immediately filled me, a bitter taste in my mouth I couldn’t escape.
Fuck.
