AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Franco almost fell off thechair when he looked through the grate. Violetta was dressed like a novice, in a white habit with asoft white wimple and long white veil. A simple wooden crucifix encircled her neck. She still looked beautiful, with her chestnut brown eyes and lovely mouth, but Franco feared she was lost to him now.
“You’re taking theveil?” he asked. “You can’t!”
“I can, and I will,” Violetta said calmly.
“No, please, don’t.” Franco leaned close to the grate. “Violetta, will you marry me? I love you, and I bought Baron Moravio’s villa andgiardino. We—”
“No, I’m sorry.”
“Please, marry me. I have a home for us now. For you.”
“Franco, I’m taking the veil.”
“It can’t be. Don’t do this. I’m begging you.”
Violetta folded her arms, her manner cool. “This is our last meeting.”
Franco’s heart broke all over again. “Can you really mean this?”
“Yes, I realize the mistakes I made, with you.”
“You didn’t make any mistakes. You don’t deserve to be in here.”
“I’m trying to become a better person, so Idodeserve to be in here.” Violetta paused, softening. “What about you, Franco? Did you make mistakes?”
“Yes,” Franco admitted, only to her. “I regret what I did and that I caused you pain. I’m sorry, I swear, but you have to leave. If not with me, then without me, but don’t do this.”
“Listen, I’m better now. I belong here.”
Franco couldn’t let it happen. “You wanted to be free, to travel, to see the world. Remember?”
“Yes, but I know myself better now.”
“How?”
“Through contemplation.” Violetta met his eye. “I’m happy, and you should be happy for me.”
“This isn’tyou.”
“But it is.”
“Did you shave off your hair?”
“No, I just cut it short.”
“No, no, no.” Franco groaned. “I loved your hair.”
“It’s only hair, Franco.” Violetta chuckled, like she used to.
“But it’sbeautifulhair.”
“Don’t make a fuss. It feels better.”
Franco tried to collect his thoughts. “Violetta, you really want to stay? To live without love?”
“I have love.” Violetta smiled. “I have love all around me, more than I had before.”
“Not real love.”
