Chapter 21: Angelo is Livia's Secret

In the bathroom, the sound of water took on an ambiguous tone.

The bright red dress lay soaked on the floor, intertwined with the black shirt. In the water, they seemed all the more sensual.

Livia lay on the bed, feeling as though she'd had a full body massage—achy yet extraordinarily refreshed.

She turned on her side, and the man was enjoying a cigarette, blowing smoke rings contentedly.

Angelo knew she loved him, and just a little warmth from him made her forget her resolve to break up with him.

Angelo glanced at her and extended his arm. Livia naturally rested on it, draping her hand over his chest, her legs placed across his under the blanket, and her whole body clinging to him.

Every night before she slept, she would embrace him like this, but it wouldn't be long before she rolled away to her side.

Angelo seemed unfazed by her weight, letting her lay on him as she pleased.

"I'm planning to go back to my hometown tomorrow," Livia traced circles on his chest with her hand.

Angelo took a deep drag of his cigarette, then turned his head and stubbed it out in the ashtray. "Have a safe drive."

That meant he wasn't going to take her.

Livia didn't delude herself into thinking he would. " I'll just call a ride-share."

"Isn't it more convenient to drive yourself?" Angelo glanced at her. "What's the point of getting a driver's license if you never drive?"

"I'm not a great driver, to be honest."

"You've got insurance. As long as you don't hit anyone, you'll be fine."

His domineering ways sometimes left her speechless and unwilling to engage.

She turned to face the other way, and Angelo got up and headed to the bathroom. After a while, he came back and wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing tightly against her. His hands started to wander as he rubbed his face in the crook of her neck.

Indeed, Livia felt overwhelmed by his stamina and surrendered with a light shrug of her shoulders. "I'm going to sleep."

"How long will you be in your hometown?" Angelo whispered in her ear.

Livia endured. "Just overnight."

Angelo's hand rested on her lower abdomen. "What are you going back for?"

"To visit Bronte." She felt the heat building in him. If she didn't put it out, there would be no sleep tonight.

Livia tried to turn around, but Angelo pinned her down.

She knew what he wanted.

Though his words seemed casual as if he was simply chatting, the movements beneath the covers were increasingly fierce.

"Isn’t it kind of inconsiderate to stay the night at a newlywed’s place?" Angelo murmured against her shoulder, his voice husky.

Livia bit her lip, fearing that if she spoke, her voice would betray the flush of her cheeks, but he was pushing her to respond.

She tried hard to control her voice.

In the end, she couldn't resist.

She couldn't articulate a full sentence until he bit her shoulder with a low growl, and she gasped for breath.

Even with the air conditioning on during the hot summer, beneath the covers, they were drenched in sweat.

Their breathing mingled together. Livia truly had no energy left.

His vitality seemed limitless, and it was indeed frightening.

"Come back tomorrow night," Angelo demanded with his lips against her shoulder, his tone low and sensual, brooking no argument.

On a scorching day, Livia wore a high-necked, sleeveless black maxi dress. Somewhat conservative yet artistic and graceful.

Her long hair draped over her shoulders, giving off a lazy allure, yet her delicate features were strikingly gorgeous, radiant, and blooming.

Bronte saw Livia and smiled. "Aren't you hot dressed like that?"

Livia shook her head. "It's fine."

If it wasn't for covering the bite marks Angelo had left on her shoulder last night, would she have bothered dressing this way?

"Rhodes is already eating. He got an urgent call from work, so he'll need to rush off soon," Bronte said, her face flushed with happiness. She walked into the restaurant, arm in arm with Livia.

The place wasn't crowded. Rhodes, who was in the middle of his meal, called out to them. "Got some emergency stuff at work. I'll take one last bite and then I have to run. You two enjoy your meal."

True to his word, Rhodes finished and promptly left.

Looking at Rhodes hustling out, Livia asked Bronte. "Why's he in such a hurry?"

"Don't underestimate a small-town police station. They've got their hands full every single day." Bronte gestured for her to take a seat. "I didn't order much since you weren't here yet. Take a look at the menu and get whatever you'd like."

"We've got enough."

They chatted while eating, and Livia mentioned that Bronte had clearly made the right choice this time. Her glowing complexion didn't lie.

Blushing, Bronte said, "It's too early to tell. Step-motherhood can be a challenge."

"He has a kid?" Livia was caught off-guard.

"Yeah, a son. He lives with his grandparents and will start middle school later this year." Bronte's face darkened a bit when she mentioned her stepson.

Livia understood the challenges of being a stepmom and offered her support. "If you're good to him, he'll know it."

"I hope so," Bronte replied, quickly changing the subject. "Aren't you looking for someone to marry? Your mom seemed pretty eager, and even asked mine to keep an eye out for suitable candidates. She's really worried about you."

The very thought made Livia's head ache. "Does marriage guarantee happiness?"

Laughing, Bronte said, "Hard to say. Some folks are great when they’re dating, but change after marriage. Others might not seem reliable, but mature once they're hitched. It's all about how you manage it."

Livia pursed her lips, at a loss for words.

"Got someone in mind you're thinking of marrying?" Bronte was astute.

Their relationship had always been solid and they shared everything. But over time, they'd each acquired their little secrets, becoming more reluctant to share.

Angelo was Livia's little secret.

"Yes," Livia confessed, head down, no longer wanting to hide. Sharing with one more person could give her some fresh perspectives.

Bronte looked surprised. "When did this start? How come I had no idea?"

Livia detailed her situation with Angelo.

Bronte remained composed. "To say he's irresponsible wouldn't be fair since he's been with you for this long. But if he was, he wouldn't let you feel this downtrodden."

Livia's thoughts aligned with Bronte's perspective.

"People in the city wish to escape. Those outside yearn to enter. Either way, it's about regret or remorse. Your boyfriend's probably been hurt before, plus he might just be a commitment-phobe."

"If it's the former, you can heal him slowly. If it's the latter, then it's better to split up sooner," Bronte said with some reluctance. "That's how relationships work. Not all of them make it to the altar."

Livia knew all too well that love wasn't a transaction where you could just hand over cash and get exactly what you want in return.

But some people are just heartless.