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His jaw clenched. “It’s a dangerous world. I have enemies. Luigi has good cause to hate me and he could choose to take it out on you. Or our child.”
“How can you think of the world like that?”
“Because that’s how it is,” he said grimly.
Hallie stared at him in horror. He was refusing to even consider that he might be wrong about Luigi. Justifying his own selfish actions by trying to punish a sweet old man who hadn’t done anything wrong.
“It’s not true.” The lump in her throat became a razor blade as she whispered, “The world is full of second chances. It’s full of love if you only—”
Still cradling their sleeping baby, Cristiano turned away. “I’m done talking.” He looked at his platinum watch. “I’ll take Jack upstairs to Agata. Go get ready for the gala.”
“Why are you acting like this?” she whispered.
“It’s my responsibility to protect my family.”
“But not to tell us anything.” Anger filled her. “Agata told me that we’re leaving Italy tomorrow.”
He looked off-kilter. “She told you?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t notice when she started packing all our clothes?”
“Yes. We’re leaving for Tokyo.” He lifted a dark eyebrow. “So?”
Swallowing over the pain in her throat, she choked out, “You said this was our home.”
“And the next place will be, as well. And the place after that.”
Hallie stared at him. “You spent millions on this villa, just for us to live here a few weeks?”
“And if I did?” he said coolly. “I can buy you ten more houses anywhere around the world. I can always sell them again. What does it matter?”
Hallie looked at him, stricken. “You said we’d have a home. You said we’d be a family.”
“And we are. But we’re doing it my way.”
“And your way is to drag us around the world at your beck and call, and tell me who I can and cannot speak with?”
Holding their baby against his chest, Cristiano set his jaw. “Either you’re with me, or against me. Either you’re my partner—”
“Your prisoner!” she cried.
“Or you’re my enemy.” His eyes glittered. “Decide carefully, cara mia, who you want to be. Now get ready.” He gave her an icy smile. “You must sparkle like a star tonight.”
And he left her.
Numb with shock, Hallie went back into the salon. She collected the red Cinderella dress. But as she carried it upstairs, it felt heavy in her arms.
As she got ready that night, putting on exquisite lingerie and the gorgeous designer ball gown, she felt cold inside. She brushed her dark hair until it shone, then stopped, looking at herself in the mirror.
When she tried to defy him, to fight for their happiness, he saw her as an enemy instead of recognizing it for what it was—love.
How could it be otherwise, when he’d never known what it was to be really, truly loved by another?
Either you’re with me, or against me.
How could she get through his darkness, the pain of his childhood that still enveloped him like a shroud?
How could she show him that the world was more than danger and betrayal and cruelty and regret? Could she show him that she wasn’t his enemy, but that she was fighting for his happiness, as well as her own?
