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I glanced in the kitchen, where Lena and Maddie were giving me worried looks. I didn’t wait for an explanation. Turning around, I ran after the frightened kitten, and saw her running for the back door, which led to the garden. She rushed outside. I slowed to a walk and followed her.
Squinting at the bright sunlight, I found Ayla sitting on the top of the hill, huddling under a tree.
I gave her a few minutes by herself and then made my way toward her. She hugged her knees to her chest, her arms wrapped around them tightly, her face buried between them.
When I got closer, she tensed. Rolling my eyes with a sigh, I sat down on the grass beside her shaking body. She was slowly coming down from her attack.
I didn’t know why I followed her, and I sure as hell didn’t know why I sat down beside her. For some strange reasons, my heart ached at her pain. I wanted to offer comfort.
I rubbed my face tiredly. This girl. I closed my eyes tightly and pinched the tip of my nose in frustration. She was messing with my head.
I heard her sobbing quietly, but eventually she quieted down. “Why did you follow me?” she asked, her voice scratchy.
“You’re crying.” My voice came out hard, so I quickly cleared my throat and attempted to soften my tone. “Why are you crying?” I tried to sound gentle, but I sounded demanding instead.
Way to go, Alessio. Great way to get her to open up.
“That wasn’t an answer,” she replied, her voice barely audible. I was sure she didn’t mean for me to hear it, but I did.
I bristled slightly at her tone but took a deep breath, not wanting to sound harsh. This wasn’t the time to scare her.
“Well, that’s the only answer you’re getting,” I said, turning to my side to face her. I didn’t have any other answer for her.
Ayla lifted her head slightly and placed her chin on her arms, looking me straight in the eyes. “Lena told me about your mother.”
I was taken aback—shocked. Ayla noticed, and bit on her lip nervously.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, tears forming in her eyes again.
Swallowing hard against the lump in my throat, I shrugged. “Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault.”
“I know. But I’m sorry for your loss.” A tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
I followed the single drop as it trailed down her rosy cheek. I felt my heart stutter at her admission. She was sorry for me. She was crying for my loss.
I stared at her, filled with confusion. Who was this girl? And what was she doing to me?
“Okay,” I replied, my voice gruff. I couldn’t say anything else because I didn’t know what to say.
Ayla being nice to me was a big surprise. I never expected it. She always appeared scared of me, but now she was giving me her condolences for my mother’s death.
She closed her eyes and sighed loudly, as if a big burden had been taken off her shoulders. I saw her trembling and she huddled tighter into herself.
Without thinking, I shrugged off my suit jacket and leaned forward, gently placing it around her.
She instantly stilled.
“It’s a little cold today,” I said, then shifted away from her.
Why the fuck was I explaining myself to her?
My body rigid, I stood up and brushed the grass from my clothes. I avoided looking at her. I felt annoyed at myself and the way I reacted to her.
Focus, Alessio. Focus on your task. Don’t lose yourself in her beautiful eyes and gentle soul.
My hands tightened into fists, and without sparing her another glance, I turned around and walked back to the house.
Chapter 16
Ayla
When I told him I was sorry for his loss, I was afraid he would be angry.
He’d been right when he said it wasn’t my fault. But my father had killed his mother. And if my father wasn’t apologizing for his mistakes and wrongdoings, then I would. It had become my burden to carry.
I was living in Alessio’s home, depending on him, but he had no idea I was his worst enemy. I might be personally innocent, but my blood wasn’t.
I wished I could have told him the truth, but he wouldn’t understand. Nobody would, not even Lena or Maddie. They saw my family as an enemy, but what they didn’t know and wouldn’t understand was that I had become a victim and I suffered too.
I didn’t want to suffer anymore.
I wanted to be happy.
So, I couldn’t tell them the truth—not ever.
I understood what it felt like to lose someone, because I had lost my mother. I didn’t remember her, but I still mourned.
Alessio confused me. One minute he was kind, and the next he was cold and angry. I pulled his suit jacket tighter around my body. It still felt warm from his body heat.
