Page 67 of The Billionaire's Destiny

“No. I tried to turn you on so we’d have sex, hoping you’d stop hating me.”

“Hate you?” He reached over and laid his palm on my lower back. “I love you. Yes, I love having sex with you, but that’s not why I love you.”

“How could you?”

“Easy. You’re easy to love. I never want you to doubt that.”

My heart ached with guilt and self-loathing.Easy?After what I’d done?

After the way he’d treated me? I may have done the wrong thing, but his version of love was confusing me. He had found it so easy to simply leave me alone and treat me like I meant nothing to him.

And sadly, I knew I deserved that.

Love had never brought me peace or strength. It had always been a tool to control me. My father used my love for my mother and brother to silence me, reminding me that my words could destroy our family if I spoke out about his secrets. I couldn’t risk revealing his actions to protect them from harm. My grandparents, too, used my love to force me into an arranged marriage, telling me that obedience was the only way to keep us together. Even after marrying Rocco, there was no relief from the pressure. Their voices never faded; they echoed in my choices, urging me to bend and hide my real feelings if it meant keeping the family together. But what I hadn’t counted on was truly falling in love.And hurting the person I loved the most. Tears started falling from my eyes and onto his chest.

“Hey. Hey. Come here and talk to me.” He tugged my waist, moving me to lie on top of him, and wrapped his arms around me. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

I squeezed my eyes shut for a few heartbeats, trying to brace myself against the pain as shame pressed down on my chest. “You were right about what happened. I…I’d been careless with the birth control, but it was my intention to see a doctor about it. But I also thought about having a child early to solve our problems. It was wrong and selfish. I’ll never do it again, but I hope you’ll forgive me.”I sobbed as I trembled against him, waiting for his rejection, but Rocco soothed me in his arms, cuddling and kissing me.

“Thank you for admitting the truth. Believe me, Bella, when I say I forgive you.”

“How can you? I can’t forgive myself. Your distance was unbearable...you couldn’t even kiss me. That doesn’t suggest I’m easy to love, Rocco. It reinforces that I’m easy to withdraw from. My father used to ‘discipline’ in a different way—”

“Your father is a piece of shit. I’m sorry about the distance. I wasn’t trying to discipline you, Bella. I’ve never been married before, so I’m learning how to navigate this too.” He kissed my forehead. “After watching that video, and giving it more thought, I knowyou’vebeen pressured by your family and mine, and I sympathize. Even Luca pressured you, too, and it annoyed me. Like you, I don’t like having my choices taken away from me, but I’m sorry you felt abandoned by me too. I also know now that Luca was scared of dying.” He exhaled.

“I miss his wisdom and guidance. They’re what made the man I am today. He taught me to work for my success. Not to become addicted to the ease of our money. I thought I was smarter than him and could get it all, the inheritance and studio, without doing what they wanted.”

“I’m sorry.”

“That’s not your fault, it’s the way our families work. They started on you years ago.”

“Yeah, but I’ve come to realize that somewhere along the way, it became what I want, too. I love and admire my grandmother, and all she and Luca had done for me. Having a child doesn’t feel like a burden to me.” Grandmother had truly grown on me over the years, and though she was strict and harsh, I loved her dearly now. Grandfather’s desire to continue his legacy seemed only right.

He went still beneath me “Constance’s legacy won’t end, I promise you,” Rocco spoke with sureness. I don’t know how I’m going to feel when we get the results, but if you are pregnant, I’m going to be happy because it’s our child and I love you. We will move on and raise our family together. Okay?”

I sniffled, and he squeezed my waist. “You’re very warm. Are you feeling sick?”

“No, just exhausted.”

“Let’s go back to sleep.”

“Rocco?”

“Yes, Bella?”

“Will that guy really sue?” I asked. My mind replayed the man holding the torn shirt. What was on that grainy video Isla mentioned?

“He’ll try to sue me for assault and damages, but he’ll lose.” He seemed sure, but I could hear the unease in his voice.

“But that won’t end it?”

“No, Bella. No one wins in a scandal.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, some people will never believe our side of the story. I can handle it myself, but I don’t like anyone hurting you.”

“I can handle it, Rocco. I’m not afraid.”