The End Of a Marriage
Chapter 105
Amber’s pulse quickened. She could feel herself unraveling. The thought sitting in the same car as Luca and Carlotta, of witnessing them together, even for a few minutes, was unbearable. She could already imagine the casual touches, the whispered conversations, the small, intimate glances that would tear her apart. Her stomach churned, and the room felt like it was closing in around her.
“Actually, you know what, Nico?” she said suddenly, her voice trembling despite her efforts to keep it steady. “Mummy’s not feeling very well. We’ll get your sandals tomorrow, okay? I think I need to rest for a bit.”
Nico’s face immediately crumpled into disappointment. His little mouth pouted as he looked up at her with wide, confused eyes. “But you said, if I’m a good boy, you’ll get me the Spidy sticker…” His voice was small and pleading, and Amber’s heart ached. She had promised him that sticker, and now, she was breaking that promise.
Before Amber could respond, Guilia stepped forward with a smile that felt more like a dagger to Amber’s chest. “Tesoro, you can come with us. We’ll get you new shoes and that… what did you call it? Spidy sticker?” She hesitated, clearly unfamiliar with the superhero, but Luca seemed to find her offer perfect.
Luca’s eyes brightened at the suggestion, he loved the idea because. If his mother took Nico shopping, it would give him the chance to return home after dropping them off and get some privacy with Amber–something he had been trying to orchestrate since the moment he saw her that morning. There were things to discuss, things Nico had told Luca the day before.
“Yes, that’s a great idea,” Luca nodded, looking down at his son. “You can come with Nonna, and I’ll pick you out something really cool, okay?”
Amber’s heart dropped. No. Not Guilia. She couldn’t stand the thought of her son being with Luca’s mother.
“No–I don’t think that’s a good idea…” Amber started, her voice shaky, but Luca cut her off with that frustrating calmness.
“Don’t worry,” he said softly, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her want to shrink away. “He’ll be safe with us. I promise.”
Promise. Amber almost laughed bitterly at the word. Luca’s promises used to mean the world to her. But now, they were just empty words- promises he had broken over and over again. A promise to love her. A promise to build a family with her. A promise to stay.
“Promise?” Nico asked innocently, his small voice echoing the word as he poked up at his father with wide, trusting eyes. Amber’s chest tightened painfully. Her son still believed in his father’s promises. He didnt know yet that promises could be broken, that trust could be shattered, that sometimes, love wasn’t enough to keep people together.
Amber wanted to scream, to shout, to tell everyone in the room to just leave her alone, to let her breathe, to let her escape the suffocating memories of Luca and Carlotta together. But instead, she swallowed it down, forcing herself to stay composed.
“I don’t know if-”
“He’ll be fine,” Luca interrupted, his voice firm yet gentle. “You need rest, Amber. I can see that. Let Nico come with us, and you can stay here. I’ll come back after I drop everyone off, and we can… talk.” That last part was especially wishpered only for her ears, as everyone started filing
out towards the car.
4
Her breath hitched in her throat, and she looked down at Nico, his innoce face full of hope and excitement. She wanted to say no, to keep him close. But then she saw the way Nico was looking at Luca, the way he dolized his father, the bond they had forged in such a short time.
Amber felt her resolve crumbling. “Fine,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “But just… be careful with him, Luca.”
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22:04 Sat, Feb 7
Chapter 105
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Luca’s expression softened, and for a moment, Amber saw the man she ha once loved, the man who had made her believe in promises and forever. “I will. I promise,” he said again, his voice low and reassuring.
As they left the house, Nico’s small hand slipping out of hers and into Lu’s, Amber stood frozen in the hallway, watching them disappear through the door.
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22:05 Sat, Feb 7 CC
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
