“That all changed when I met Evangeline. For several weeks, my lifehad new meaning. For the briefest time, I was a better, happier, more whole version of myself.”
As earth-shattering as it was, it’s also the most painful, rotten reality of this entire situation.
“I’ll never be the same, and I have no interest in dating or pursuing anyone else. It’ll only ever be her.”
“Ric…” She sighs, sorrow settling into the creases of her eyes as my words sink in. “I’m so sorry. I don’t even know what to say?—”
“Is that true?”
I startle, jolting upright as Luca stumbles into the kitchen, squinting against the lights.
He gives Leslie a small wave but doesn’t stop until he’s standing by my side.
His face is gaunt, dark circles like bruises under his eyes. He searches my face, swallowing hard. “You really love her that much?”
I hold my breath, considering how I should answer.
The truth has the power to sever the delicate connection we’ve barely started to rebuild. But I’ll never heal from losing Evangeline. I love her now. I’ll love her forever. I can’t lie to myself. I don’t want to lie to my son either.
“Yes, it’s true,” I admit. “I’m sorry for falling for her. I’m sorry for not being up-front with you, and for all the discord it’s caused between us. But I’ll never be sorry for loving her, even if it was only for a little while.”
Luca blinks up at me, expression unreadable, as noxious silence fills the room.
I glance over at Leslie, who’s watching us, brow creased, then force my attention back to my son.
With fresh tears welling in his eyes, he lunges forward, wraps his arms around me, and sobs.
Several minutes pass. Luca settles eventually, his shoulders relaxing in my hold. He sniffles when he finally pulls back. “You don’t need my blessing… Fuck. I don’t think I could give it if I tried…” Sighing, he drags one hand through his already messed-up hair. “But I won’t interfere or get in your way again. If you really love her…” He trails off, leaving the permission unstated.
It’s enough.
The conflict inside me eases as I blow out a slow, fortifying breath.
“That doesn’t solve the inevitable PR nightmare we’re going to face,” Leslie grouses.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I consider her words, trying to reckon them with the soul-deep desire I couldn’t lock away if I tried.
“Evangeline was prepared to quit,” I confess. “Earlier tonight, she stopped by my office with a resignation letter in hand. She doesn’t care about working in Formula 1 long term. She has a thriving business and only accepted the job to cover some extra expenses.”
I give my son a weighted look.
Luca hisses through his teeth. “Which I’ll be taking care of.”
Another modicum of relief rolls over me.
Leslie sighs. “Regardless, that doesn’t change what people will say about her. Can you imagine all the pictures they could dig up? She’ll be dragged through the media and torn apart by commentators once they realize?—”
Luca clears his throat. “I, uh. Well. I put a lot of effort into never being formally photographed with Evan. We didn’t attend many events together, and I was careful to keep her name unlinked from mine.”
Because he was cheating on her.
I grind my molars, quelling the urge to smack him upside the head. At least his indiscretions had some sort of positive impact on the situation.
“What I said earlier remains true,” I remind them both. “Evangeline and I are not together, so there’s no immediate concern about public perception or potential fallout.”
I level Leslie with a no-nonsense glare.
“I will respect her request for space for now, but I’m not giving up. It might not happen quickly, and I might fail a dozen times before I make a sliver of progress, but I’ll stop at nothing to make her mine again.”
