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“Gio, talk to me. Or talk to her, but fucking talk.”
“And what am I supposed to say?” I snap. “That it fucking hurts when someone rejects you? When you think they’re different, but in the end they are not? I’ve lived for years, accepting my wealth and status always come at a price. Knowing I will have to marry an heiress or a socialite and lead a sterile life dictated by societal expectations—”
“That’s where you’re wrong, you idiot. You’re not old money. There are no societal expectations. Just because a woman fooled you years ago, it doesn’t make you unworthy of love. It only makes you gullible. Besides, Kimberly fooled us all, so it’s not even on you. We should learn from our mistakes, but you took that shit too far. Like the opposite side of the pendulum too far. Why are you really marrying Mila Ward?”
“Because… I fucking can’t let her go.” I grab the bottle and fill my glass to the rim. Classy.
He jerks it away from me. “Motivated by momentary obsession, or by love?”
I chuckle. “Don’t be absurd. I’m attracted to her, but that’s all. I thought she felt the same.”
“Yet you’re marrying her, and knowing you, it isn’t because of your charitable heart. You’re not marrying her to resolve her financial issues. You want her. Let’s skip the motivation since you don’t believe in love, but you wantherto be your wife. And yet you run away, chasing deals that are not worth the effort. Working yourself into the ground.”
“That’s not true,” I bark. “The deal is very important.”
“Okay, then continue working yourself until you collapse. Look around, Gio. When Nora suggested this lifestyle, I had an allergic reaction, and then it took me months to detox the stress-related adrenaline. That shit kills you.”
If I slow down, I have nothing left. I love my work. Though the pressure lately has been tainting that.
“Why don’t you bring Mila and spend some time here with us?”
“And be reminded every day why she is with me?” Damn it.
“Fair enough.” He pats my shoulder. “Stay longer then.”
“I have to get back and deal with these projections, and my mother’s monthly family summons. I missed the last two, and believe me the last thing I want is to get her on my case.”
He laughs. “Understood. Bianca is lovely, but she scares the shit out of me.”
I need to learn to live with Mila without this persistent feeling of betrayal. And without being horny and pissed all the time. She’ll stick around for five years at least. I need to find a way to look at her without being disappointed.
Maybe I can try harder.
Chapter27
Mila
“Aren’t you going home yet?” Hilda pokes her head in my door.
It’s seven o’clock, and I have to be at a theater opening night in an hour. I had a new dress delivered to my office, so there is no reason to commute to the house.
What’s the point? It’s not like anyone is waiting for me there.
Over the past three months, Gio has been traveling a lot. Mostly avoiding me. When in New York he stays at his club most of the time, and then comes home to tend to his bees, but that’s it.
I accepted my fate and dove into the work. When I’m here, I forget about my loveless relationship. I’ve been spending a lot of time at Annie’s.
Her new house is beautiful and full of life. Unlike Gio’s house. A place which is no longer his home because I’m intruding there.
“We’re attending a premiere tonight. I’ll be leaving shortly.”
“The glamorous life of the young and wealthy.” Hilda sighs dramatically.
Though she has contractual obligations to remain here, she’s been nothing but amazing and we work well together. My initial assessment was right, and Hilda has become my business mentor.
“Frankly, along with the two events we’re organizing this weekend, I could use a night off.”
“Yeah, but it’s nice you get to do something fun with your devilishly handsome fiancé.” She purses her lips and looks at me suggestively while shimmying her hips.
