ARIA’s POV
I stood there, watching Matteo’s struggle to keep his emotions in check. The rain poured down on us, creating a somber atmosphere that matched the heaviness in my heart. I knew Matteo thought he had to be strong, that he had to keep his feelings hidden, but I saw the pain in his eyes.
I took a step closer, my hand reaching out to touch his arm. “Matteo,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the rain. “You don’t have to hide it. You can grieve. You can be sad.” I felt a tremble run through his body, and for a moment, I thought he might push me away. But instead, he let out a slow breath, and his shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.
I knew he was still holding back, but it was a start. I kept my hand on his arm, offering what little comfort I could. We stood there in silence, the rain surrounding us like a shroud, as we mourned the loss of Mrs. Fletcher.
I felt a sense of unease as I searched for Matteo. My questions met with shrugs and apologetic expressions. It was as if he had vanished into thin air. I knew he was struggling, that the weight of his emotions was crushing him, but I had hoped he would find solace in our presence.
Also, the absence of Carter and Alonzo was conspicuous, and the whispers of their involvement in Mrs. Fletcher’s murder hung in the air like a dark cloud. I knew Matteo was consumed by grief and anger, and I feared what he might do if he found them.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, I grew more desperate. Where was Matteo? Was he safe? And what would happen when he finally found the men he held responsible for the tragedy that had befallen our lives?
I searched for Matteo around until I wandered into the toilet and heard small whimpers coming from a cubicle. I wanted to ignore it, but I could smell Matteo’s cologne in the air.
I pushed open the door, and my heart sank as I saw Matteo’s usually strong and stoic frame crumpled in a heap on the floor. His eyes, red and puffy from crying, met mine, and he quickly looked away, as if ashamed of his vulnerability. But I saw the depth of his pain, the raw emotion that he couldn’t hide.
My instincts took over, and I rushed to him, my arms opening wide to envelop him in a warm embrace. He hesitated for a moment, his body tensing as if he might push me away, but then he surrendered, his arms wrapping around my waist like a lifeline.
I held him tight, feeling his body shake with sobs as he let out all the pent-up grief and anger he’d been holding inside. I stroked his hair, my fingers gentle and soothing, as I whispered words of comfort and reassurance. “It’s okay, Matteo. I’m here. I’ve got you. You’re not alone.”
As we held each other, I felt his pain and sorrow wash over me, and I knew that I would never let go. I would hold him together, no matter what lay ahead. Our hearts beat as one, our tears mingling as we mourned the loss of Mrs. Fletcher.
In this moment, I knew that our bond was unbreakable, our love strong enough to face the darkness that had engulfed our lives. I held him closer, my love pouring out like a balm to his wounded soul. “I’m here, Matteo. I’ll always be here.”
We returned to our mansion, the somber mood from the funeral still lingering. Ben and Carter joined us, and Matteo made sure to tighten the security around the mansion.
As we entered our home, the memory of Mrs. Fletcher’s murder weighed heavily on our minds, casting a dark shadow over our once-peaceful sanctuary. I felt a sense of vulnerability, knowing our home had been breached.
Matteo’s determined gaze met mine, his eyes burning with a promise to keep us safe. But the fear of what might happen next lingered. I walked to the dining room, and my heart raced as I stumbled backward, my hand flying to my mouth in shock. “Evelyn!” I exclaimed, my voice trembling. “What are you… how did you…?” I couldn’t form a coherent sentence, my mind reeling with questions. She looked up from her newspaper, a calm and collected expression on her face, as if she hadn’t been absent for weeks.
“Good morning, Aria,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I see you’re surprised to see me.”
Matteo rushed in swiftly and moved in front of me, his broad shoulders and imposing frame shielding me from Evelyn’s approach. But Evelyn, her sultry gaze fixed on us, as she walked towards us with a confident stride, her curves swaying hypnotically beneath her sleek, black dress. Her raven hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night, and her full lips curled into a sly smile, revealing a hint of mischief.
As she drew closer, her piercing green eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire, mesmerizing and unnerving me at the same time. “Well, well, well,” she purred, her voice husky and seductive. “Look what we have here. The happy couple reunited at last.”
Matteo’s deep voice was laced with a mix of suspicion and warning. His eyes narrowed as he demanded.
“Evelyn, what are you doing here? You need to leave. Now.” He held me closer.
Evelyn’s smile never wavered, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, Matteo, always so quick to jump to conclusions. I’m just here to… reconnect with old friends.” Her gaze slid to me, her eyes lingering on mine with an unsettling intensity. “Aria, dear, it’s been far too long. We have so much to catch up on.” Her voice dripped with sweetness, but beneath the surface, I sensed a sinister intent.
Evelyn’s eyes flashed with a brief spark of anger, but she quickly masked it with a sultry smile. “Oh, Matteo, you’re as possessive as ever,” she purred, her voice dripping with condescension. “But I’m not going anywhere just yet.”
Just then, Ben and Charles entered the dining room, their presence commanding attention. Ben’s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, his gaze flicking from Evelyn to Matteo and then to me. Charles, ever the calm and collected one, surveyed the situation with a discerning eye.
“Ah, Evelyn,” Ben said, his voice firm. “I see you’ve decided to grace us with your presence. Again.”
Evelyn’s smile never wavered, but her eyes flicked to Ben with a hint of annoyance. “Ben, darling. Is always so quick to judge. I’m just here to make amends.”
Matteo’s stance remained unwavering, his eyes fixed on Evelyn with a warning glare. “You need to leave. Now.”
“But I have information that might help you defeat Anthonio”