Lucia, who’s been terrified of attachments since the day we met.
Lucia, who pushed me away because she believed it was the only way she could protect someone she’s been protecting long before we met.
Giovanni’s protective stance makes him seem taller. “This isn’t just about you and Lucia. It isn’t even about you, Lucia, and Camille. There’s something else, something she’s afraid to tellanyone. Even you, Dante.”
I swallow hard, but the truth still seeps out. “I know.”
Leaning back, he folds his arms across his chest. “You have the rightto leave this life. You’ve earned it. But you need to ensure Lucia can do the same. She may not be ready to choose as you are. She may not be free to make that choice. If you walk away without understanding what burden she’s carrying, you could make things worse.”
His worry is the exact reason I made the decision I did. The “choice” he’s referring to should only rest on Lucia’s conscience.
But I understand how hard a decision like this is to make when you’ve had the rules drummed into you since birth.
“I’ll talk to her.”
Giovanni dips his chin in appreciation before he nudges it to the door, encouraging me to bite the bullet now.
It’s time to ensure Lucia knows I’m not just choosing her. I’m choosingeverythingabout her.
The good, the bad, and the ugly.
