Alessandro leaned back in the chair beside the bed, watching me like I was a puzzle he had already solved.
"You don't remember?" he asked again, his voice calm but dangerous.
I pulled the sheets closer around my body as the dull ache in my muscles reminded me that something had definitely happened.
"Remember what?" I asked slowly.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"Last night," he said. "You begged me not to leave."
The moment I tried to sit up, pain shot through my body.
My head pounded.
My throat was dry.
And the way Alessandro was watching me from the chair beside the bed made my stomach twist.
Something had happened last night.
Something I couldn't remember.
"Interesting," Alessandro said quietly.
I frowned, confused. "What?"
He stood up slowly from the chair, his eyes never leaving mine. Every movement was calm, controlled… almost predatory.
"Last night," he said, his voice low, "you couldn't keep your hands off me. You told me you wanted me."
My heart skipped.
"And now," he continued, taking another step closer to the bed, "you look like you want to run."
I swallowed hard, pulling the sheet tighter around my body.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice barely steady.
Alessandro stopped at the edge of the bed, looking down at me like he was enjoying every second of my confusion.
"You really don't remember?" he asked.
I shook my head slowly.
His lips curved slightly, not quite a smile.
"That's unfortunate."
A small knot of anxiety formed in my stomach.
"What happened last night, Alessandro?" I demanded.
Instead of answering, he leaned forward slightly, resting one hand on the bed beside me.
"You begged me," he said calmly.
My eyes widened.
"I did not."
"You did."
Heat rushed to my face.
"That's not possible," I muttered quickly. "I would never. I don't believe you, Alessandro."
"You grabbed my shirt," he interrupted casually. "Refused to let me leave the room."
I froze.
"And then," he continued, his voice lowering, "you kissed me."
My face burned.
"No… that can't be."
"Oh yes."
He leaned closer, his dark eyes locking with mine.
"You even threatened to leave the house and find someone else if I didn't give you what you wanted."
My stomach dropped.
Please let him be lying, I told myself.
"Stop making things up," I whispered.
He studied me for a moment, then slowly straightened.
"You want proof?" he asked calmly.
Before I could respond, he reached out and gently tilted my chin upward.
My breath caught.
"Look at yourself," he murmured.
His fingers brushed the side of my neck.
I turned slightly toward the mirror across the room.
My heart nearly stopped.
Faint red marks traced along my collarbone.
Memories flickered at the edge of my mind.
His hands.
His voice.
The heat of his body.
My grip tightening on him.
My breath hitched.
"Oh my God…"
A low chuckle left Alessandro's throat.
"Now you're starting to remember."
I quickly looked away, mortified.
"I was drunk," I muttered.
"Yes," he agreed calmly.
"And very determined."
I buried my face in my hands.
"I can't believe this."
For a moment, the room fell quiet.
Then I felt the mattress dip slightly as Alessandro sat on the edge of the bed.
"Don't worry, piccola," he said softly.
I looked up cautiously.
"You got exactly what you asked for."
My heart betrayed me with another violent thump.
And the worst part?
A small, dangerous part of me wanted to ask him for it again.
Alessandro stood and walked toward the door.
"Freshen up," he said before leaving the room.
I watched him go, my mind spinning.
What is happening to me?
How could I be thinking about Alessandro like this? Why am I craving him even now?
I was still lost in my thoughts when I heard a knock on the door.
My eyes widened.
It was Alessandro.
But this time… he knocked.
For the first time since I married him.
He walked in holding a cup of tea.
"Drink this," he said, handing it to me. "It will help with the hangover."
I stared at him, stunned by the unexpected gesture.
"Okay," I replied quietly.
He looked at me, then gently lifted my chin so our eyes met.
"Get dressed," he said calmly.
"I'm taking you out for breakfast."
I froze instantly, though I tried my best not to show it.
And just like that, he walked out again.
Leaving me alone with a heart that no longer knew what it wanted.
I was shocked at how calm he was. This wasn't the Alessandro I knew. What had happened? Was I… slowly changing him?
A small smile tugged at my lips as I shook my head. I took a bath, slipped into a very short outfit, and applied light makeup. When I was done, I went downstairs.
The maids greeted me warmly.
"Good morning! How are you today?" one of them asked.
"Thanks, I'm good now—all thanks to you. You've been treating me so well, and I'm happy to be around you," I replied with a smile before heading out.
My aunt appeared to see me off. She noticed something had changed in me—the way I looked, my aura, everything—but I didn't want to talk about it. I only told her about Alessandro's sudden change, and she smiled knowingly. I kissed her cheek and said, "I'll see you when I get back."
Outside, Alessandro was waiting, dressed sharply as always. He looked so… irresistible. I almost smiled at him but held it back as I reached the car.
He opened the door for me.
"Thanks," I said quietly.
He simply smiled, saying nothing, and we drove off.
"Where are we going?" I asked, curiosity flickering through me.
"You'll see when we get there," he replied.
Our eyes met, and I looked away immediately, flustered. He smiled and said softly, "Don't worry, piccola. I won't let anything harm you."
The drive was calm, the air heavy but comfortable. Alessandro played my favorite music, the melody filling the car. Soon, he began singing along.
For a moment, he stopped and glanced at me.
"Hey, piccola. I thought this was your favorite song?"
I turned to him but remained silent.
"Don't be shy," he encouraged. "Sing with me."
I hesitated, but the song was irresistible. Slowly, I joined in.
"You didn't know I had a nice voice, did you?" I teased.
Alessandro's smile deepened. "There are many things you don't know about me," he said, eyes glinting with mischief.
Finally, we arrived. I peered out and realized we were at a seashore.
Alessandro took my hand, introducing me to some of his people before leading me to a yacht. "That's where we'll have breakfast," he said.
My stomach tightened. I froze. "I can't… I'm afraid of water," I admitted.
He smiled gently. "You don't need to be. I won't let any harm come your way."
But fear gripped me. I couldn't risk it.
Alessandro chuckled softly and, before I could protest, lifted me onto his shoulder.
"Bring me down!" I shouted, hitting his back.
He ignored me, carrying me onto the yacht. "See? It's not too scary. You're fine," he reassured me.
I opened my eyes and took in the scene. Everywhere was decorated perfectly, matching my colors. My heart lifted—I was genuinely happy.
The breakfast was exquisite: well-cooked, beautifully garnished, and just the way I had always wanted it.
A small smile escaped my lips.
"This breakfast… I like it," I said quietly.
Alessandro watched me carefully as I reached for a piece of fruit.
"How did you know?" I asked him with a low tune.
He tilted his head slightly. "Know what?"
"How I like my breakfast arranged and the how the yacht was decorated."
For a moment, he didn't answer. Instead, he leaned back slightly in his chair, studying my face.
Then he said calmly, "Because I never forget details."
I frowned a little, not fully understanding.
"What do you mean?"
His eyes softened slightly.
"I've known you since you were a baby," he said. "And I've never forgotten anything about you."
My hand froze halfway to my mouth.
"You… remember all that?"
He nodded slowly.
"Everything."
For a moment I didn't know what to say. Something about his words made my chest feel strangely warm.
The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable.
It felt… peaceful.
We continued eating, occasionally exchanging small conversations. The sound of the waves hitting the yacht created a calm rhythm around us.
When we were finally done with breakfast, Alessandro stood and offered his hand to me unlike him.
"Come," he said.
I looked at him suspiciously. "Where are we going now?"
"You'll see."
I sighed but placed my hand in his anyway.
He led me off the yacht and toward a quiet part of the shore. The sand was soft beneath my feet, and the ocean breeze played with my hair.
For the first time in a long while, I felt… light.
Alessandro suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me gently toward the water.
"Hey!" I laughed, trying to pull away.
But he didn't stop.
Instead, he splashed a little water toward me.
"You did not just do that," I said, shocked.
A rare smile appeared on his face.
"Oh, I did."
I bent down immediately and splashed water back at him.
Soon we were both laughing like children.
We ran along the shore, splashing water at each other, the sound of our laughter mixing with the crashing waves.
For a moment, I forgot everything.
I forgot how dangerous he could be.
I forgot the pain of the past.
I even forgot the complicated situation that had forced us together.
All I could see was the man in front of me—handsome, powerful… and somehow different from the cold man I thought I knew.
We spent hours there, walking along the shore, talking, and exploring different parts of the coastline.
At some point, I began to feel tired.
The warmth of the sun, the sound of the ocean, and the long day of excitement slowly made my eyes heavy.
Before I even realized it, I had fallen asleep in the car while we were on our way back home.
When we arrived at the villa, I barely felt him lifting me from the car.
He carried me inside gently.
I was half asleep when he laid me on the bed.
He carefully removed my shoes and adjusted the blanket around me.
Then he changed my clothes into something comfortable for sleeping.
His movements were quiet and careful, almost as if he didn't want to wake me.
For a moment, he simply stood beside the bed, watching me.
Then he pulled the blanket higher over my shoulders.
"Sleep, piccola," he murmured softly.
And just like that, darkness pulled me deeper into sleep.
Tomorrow would bring another day.
Another story.
Another battle.
But tonight… I slept peacefully.