Page 135 of Unraveled

“You come from the same world as I do. You know there’s no other acceptable answer. Divorce doesn’t exist to made men, or their wives. It never has, it never will, and we won’t be the exception. I won’t give up my life as a sacrifice, simply because three years ago, you tricked me into marrying you.”

“I didn’t trick you.”

“Then what would you call it?” he roared back. “What would you call the things you did and how you lied to me?”

Elena’s eyes watered, but that sight didn’t affect Gian like it once had. “You knew what he was like to me, the things he did to me. Don’t pretend like I had a choice, Gian.”

He believed that, but very little else that came from his wife’s mouth.

“So be it, but here we are, because of it,” Gian replied. “I have an image to maintain, rules that need to be followed, the agreement to uphold between our families, and we can continue on like we have been for the past three years—”

“You mean where it’s fine and great for you to fuck any whore that glances your way, but I have to sit pretty and quiet in the corner, not bringing you any shame, right?”

“Cara is the first and only woman I have ever been in a relationship with beyond sex, not that it’s any of your fucking business. And you know that, or you should, considering this is the first time you’ve ever brought it to my attention that you knew I was involved with another woman. I have always been careful as far as other women were concerned, for your sake, Elena, not mine. My status demands I remain married to the woman I spoke my vows to—‘til death do us part—but it says fuck all about remaining faithful to you. But I would have, had you given a single shit about me. And don’t pretend that you’ve ever held fidelity in high esteem, where I was concerned. What was his name, the last one, Matteo?”

Elena barely blinked. “Cara, that’s her name?”

Gian cleared his throat. “You want me to confirm it, but I think you already know exactly who she is. I’ve never said anything to you about who you’ve been seen out with, or the things I know you have done. I have only asked that you be mindful of your affairs because of your father, certainly not for me. As long as you’re careful about whoever you—”

“Go to hell, Gian.”

He barked out a laugh. “Surprise, sweetheart, I’ve already been living in hell for years. It started with you, and I have a feeling that isn’t about to change anytime soon.”

He hated her for that, too.

Much like she hated him, he knew.

“Early boarding for flight TI457.”

Cara grabbed the carry-on bag at her feet, and readied for the regular boarding call for her flight. Tommas sat in the seat beside hers, yet he didn’t speak. Likely because all someone had to do was look at Cara’s face, and they would know she wasn’t in the mood for any sort of conversation.

Tommas hadn’t needed to do more than escort her to the airport, but he took it a step further, went through security, and decided to wait with Cara at her gate. She wanted to be thankful, at least her brother cared on some level, but she really wanted to be alone.

“You’re always welcome to come home,” Tommas said quietly.

Cara glanced up at the ceiling, and let out a slow breath. “Yeah, I know.”

“But I don’t think that’s in your plans, is it?”

“Probably not.”

“Even now, with … Gian and all?”

A flash of irritation settled in Cara’s gut, but she pushed it away. It wasn’t Tommas’ fault that Gian had lied to Cara for months. Beyond that, she knew her brother thought that Cara had already known the truth about Gian and his … wife.

“I was getting back into a routine,” Cara said, “before all this happened. I was getting better—finally—after losing Lea. I’m not going to push myself back several steps because of one man.”

She had said the words so flippantly that anyone would believe them. Shit, even she wanted to believe them.

Cara didn’t know if they were true.

“Cara.”

She was lost in her thoughts, barely present as it was, and didn’t hear her brother’s call of her name.

Tommas reached out and placed his hand to her arm. “Cara.”

“What, Tommas?”