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Maria smiles, a sisterly understanding passing between us. “If you’ve genuinely found a way to be happy in your marriage, Tia, then there couldn’t be a better time.”
I laugh, the stress and anxiety lifting from my shoulders and leaving me as light as a feather. It’s a risk, I know, letting go of my anger, my thirst for revenge that I’ve clung to like a shield since the plan first came into my head. But if Leo’s actually changing, then perhaps I should give him one last chance.
“Wow,” Maria says, stopping in her tracks.
“What?” I turn to face her, the smile falling from my lips.
“It’s just… you really do seem happy. I’ve been so worried for you these past few weeks—having to live in the same house with a man who hurt you so badly, forced to marry him for the good of the family. I just can’t believe how relieved I am that you really seem okay.”
Maria sniffles, and for the first time, I see the deep concern that she’s been hiding from me, her herculean effort to stay strong as my single lifeline back to our family.
“Oh, Maria,” I breathe, pulling my little sister into my arms. “No one could ask for a better sister than you.” Fighting to keep myself together, I cling to her with all my might, pouring every ounce of my love for her into the embrace.
Maria gives a teary laugh, squeezing me back. “I’m pretty sure I’m the lucky one,” she insists. “But, Tia, really, I want you to know how happy I am for you. I hope Leo can live up to what it will take to deserve you.”
I laugh, giving Maria one last squeeze before releasing her. Then I take her hand as we keep walking.
“I never expected it to happen like this,” I admit, a wry smile playing on my lips as we stroll around a gurgling fountain.
“Life has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it?” Maria acknowledges. “Man, I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt!”
“You’re just now realizing this?” I tease.
“No!” Maria objects. “It just didn’t feel right to get excited about it until now.”
Her confession makes my heart twinge, and I wrap my arm around my sweet sister, grateful to have her as my closest, most loyal friend.
But her mention of the baby gives me another reason to be grateful for my newfound sense of peace. Until now, I hadn’t allowed myself to think too hard about how Leo’s downfall would leave our child fatherless. And for the first time, I can contemplate the possibility of this new future for myself and my child.
The journey toward reconciliation may be fraught with uncertainty, but I am no longer convinced that Leo is the irredeemable monster I once believed him to be. He might not be perfect—far from it. But if he’s willing to change, if he’s capable of the good I’ve seen in him over the past week, then maybe he deserves a second chance.
Perhaps forgiveness, not revenge, is the key to healing the wounds that run so deep.
38
LEO
“What do you think?” Tia asks, drawing my attention as she gives a twirl, showing off her elegant black evening gown.
Its A-line cut and corset bodice mold to her trim waist and draw the eyes to the keyhole in the gauzy fabric just above her breasts. The tulle then dips sharply to the right, forming a ruched one-shoulder strap.
More black tulle flares out from her waist in feather-light layers that accentuate her hips before trailing to the floor. A subtle shimmer in the lower layers mimics the glitter of a starry night. As Tia settles into a pose, her forward leg reveals a tantalizing side slit that reaches halfway up her thigh.
“Perfect,” I say warmly, my voice low and predatory as I prowl toward her.
Tia smiles as I pull her into my arms, holding her firmly against me.
“I’ll let the mayor know we’ll be staying in tonight,” I tease. Kissing her, I halt her objection as I silently tell her exactly what I would do with her if she’d let me.
“Leo!” she scolds, pushing playfully at my shoulders. “We said we would go, and you’re not about to get away with depriving me of a night out. This is my first time wearing heels since my fall, and I intend to savor the full use of my legs again.”
“Does this mean you intend to dance?”
“Well, it is a ball, isn’t it?” she insists.
I barely danced with her on our wedding day. I’d been too busy making my point to Don Guerra to appreciate the value of that missed opportunity. And I intend to rectify my error tonight.
“I think we better get a move on, then,” I state, pressing one last kiss to Tia’s lips before releasing my beautiful bride.
