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Slowly but surely, life was moving on for the better.
The day after my husband gifted me a private island, I was ready to go back home.
It would not be easy, but I believe time healed all wounds. I had many fond memories of the estate and one traumatic experience would not wash that away. Now when I closed my eyes, I didn’t see fire. I didn’t smell gunpowder and gasoline. I didn’t feel the pain of bleeding out.
Now when I closed my eyes, I remembered my first dance at our wedding. I remembered the long nights in my conservatory room. I remembered the gardens with the beautiful fountains and maze. All those memories meshed together in my mind and sprinkled like confetti in a snow globe, an arresting sight to remind me of the beautiful past I’d lived and the beautiful future that awaited me.
The universe gave me the final push I needed to return home when a gift box arrived one night at Hill residence.
In the privacy of my room, I tore the ribbon and yanked off the box’s lid…only to find a beige teddy bear with a red bow sitting inside.
Did Zeno buy our baby its first toy?
I opened the card attached to the package.
Darla,
Your mother helped me search for old videosof Apollo and Désirée that were filmed months before yourbirth.
If you press the teddy bear near its heart, you’ll hear the voices of your parents.
I hopeit brings you some comfort.
Yours today, tomorrow, forever, monange.
Zeno
Absolutely surprised, the note slipped from my fingers and I did as instructed, pressing the teddy bear’s heart.
A split second later, the fuzzy blend of a masculine and feminine voice said in unison, “Hello, Darla!”
Tears of joy prickled my eyes and I laughed, pressing the button again.
Hello, Darla. Hello, Darla. Hello, Darla.
My ear was glued to the teddy bear as I listened over and over again to my parents greeting me in the gentlest manner.
God, what wouldn’t I do to have just one moment with them.
I would never be able to repay Zeno for everything he’d done. I only wished, with my own gestures, that I could make him feel the way he made me feel.
Like the most important person in the world and the number one priority.
When my tears dried up, I rushed to my work desk.
Today I received the first ever printed copy of my new book. It wouldn’t release for a few days. However, I wanted Zeno to be the first one to read it.
I slipped a picture of my ultrasound inside and gift-wrapped the book. I’d ask one of the drivers to deliver it to the estate tomorrow morning.
My husband didn’t know, but this story was dedicated to him.
It was my love letter to Zeno Gianni De la Croix.
To the man who fell in love with me and showed me the true meaning of love.
CHAPTER 43
Corrupted By You
