ENZO
Every single time she hurt herself just to be away from me, it hurt me more. I was heartbroken but I knew I deserved that. I haven't been able to find Monty. I had a lot of things, so many questions, that I needed to ask that bastard. But ever since the abortion, I couldn't find him.
She was yet again, lying in a hospital bed. This time, she played me sweetly. Following me outside then running into the car that was meant to pick me up. Thankfully, she didn't get any serious injuries. But her head got banged up pretty badly. And we were supposed to stay at the hospital for another week.
Holding her hand, I stared at her with teary eyes. I knew it was all my fault. She went from being my sweetest dream to my worst nightmare in a moment when she found out that I didn't just take her baby from her, but also she could never conceive again.
“You called me, brother?” Ronny asked from behind me.
“Did you find him?” I asked, wiping my tears.
“No sign of him yet. But I have some leads that I am following. I will be able to find him very soon.” He replied calmly.
“You know it better than anyone that she is not gonna stop. Keeping her with you, you are only forcing her to hurt herself more.” It angered me to hear Ronny but I couldn't say that he was wrong in any way.
“So what do you want me to do? If I divorce her, she will be Chuck's target again. I can't divorce her.” I growled at him. Though, I lied. Chuck would never dream about looking at her again even if I would leave Ariana. I just never wanted to let her go. Only Monty knew the truth.
“I am not asking you to divorce her, brother. Just set her free for a while. Let her live away from you. She will come back to you when it's time. But keeping her here with you for now, is only going to make her go crazy.” Ronny added in a low tone and I sighed. It was actually not a bad idea, considering how much she had been trying to hurt herself. My anger, my lover, my care, even my tears no longer had any affect on her.
She would laugh after hurting herself so much. Sighing in defeat, I signalled him to leave us alone. Once Ronny went out, I kicked my shoes off and laid beside her, holding her in my arms. I knew Ronny's idea was better than letting her hurt herself more than she already had.
I wrapped my arms around her fragile body and pulled her to my chest. She was sleeping soundly. My mistakes were to blame that ruined our relationship. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead while thinking about the whole plan in motion. I could let go, but only to keep her at a safe distance.
ARIANA
I opened my eyes and found myself on top of his tall figure. We were again on a hospital bed. He was holding me against his chest. I tried to pull away from him but he only tightened his hold around me. “Don't! Please, let me hold you. Let me hold you.” He whispered in my ear. For some reason, I stopped struggling.
“Do you hate me so much that you are willing to hurt yourself so much just so I leave you?” At his question, I could only cry quietly.
“I was willing to sacrifice everything for this relationship. I tried to build a home. Until you wreck it in the worst way this time. And I no longer have strength in me to keep on doing that. I want a divorce.” I didn't try to hide my hatred for him anymore.
“I can't divorce you, my sweetness. Chuck will hurt you more than you can imagine.” He whispered and I could no longer contain my sobs.
“Hey! Shhhh… don't cry.” He whispered softly and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. It would have melted my heart back then but now, his touches disgusted me.
“I don't want to live with you. I don't want to be near you. Please, let me go. Set me free.” I cried against his chest. The feeling of betrayal was eating me alive.
“I know! That's why, I have decided to let you go. I will not divorce you. But I can let you live your life the way you want.” He whispered in my ear. I looked up at him and the way tears welled up in his eyes, I knew he was not joking or lying to me. He was serious.
…
Once the doctors cleared me, Ronny was set to take me somewhere. Not what I actually wanted, but I had plans of my own. I didn't want to trigger his suspension. So I remained calm. Enzo cupped my face with both of his hands. He leaned in and kissed me.
That kiss reminded me so much of the relationship we had built, or rather I had built from scratch for him. And after months of hard work, endurance, betrayals and the scars on my soul, he betrayed me in the worst way possible. Now, there was not even an ounce of love in my heart for him. Only pure rage and hatred.
When he finally pulled away, I was itching to wipe my lips but I endured that itch. “Take care of yourself. Love yourself instead of loving someone unworthy like me. Be safe out there. And don't worry about anything else. I will take care of everything.” He whispered softly while staring into my eyes. I saw longing in his eyes.
And there it was. I knew he wouldn't set me free on my own terms. It was all just a show. He would still be pulling strings his way. And that's what I didn't want. I only offered him a fake smile and nodded my head.
Ronny opened the door for me. I hopped into the car and they drove away. I didn't want to look at him. Not because it could somehow change my mind. But because I didn't want to even look at him anymore.
For hours, they drove. I looked at the money Ronny had given me. He offered me enough so I could get out of Enzo's radar and build a new life where no one would hurt me. The luggage for me was useless. I knew it was laced with trackers. I planned on leaving it behind.
He was sending me to another city. But I was not interested. The car stopped after four hours. The drivers stepped out to take a leak. And that was my chance. I quietly pulled the backseat down and slipped into the trunk of the car. I grabbed the bag that had money and a few things I needed to start a new life. I left my wedding ring and the pendant he gave me, in the trunk. I knew they had tracking devices in them.
I quietly opened the trunk from inside and slipped out of the car. I ran as fast as I could. Once at a safe distance, I threw my phone on the road. An old couple was kind enough to give me a ride. I was finally free from Enzo's hold after a year of struggles and painful memories.
…
ENZO
“What the fuck do you mean by she is gone? What were you two doing? You couldn't keep an eye on a fragile woman like her.” I growled at the driver's who qwew supposed to keep an eye on Ariana and take her to Rome safely. She was supposed to live in my family's safe house. Until she would be able to let go of the grudge against me and come back to me.
“All we did was take a leak. The doors never opened. Our eyes were on the doors. To keep eyes on her, we both went in different directions. But she used the trunk of the car to escape. After that, we lost track of her. We only found her phone.” They explained how things went south. They were both kneeling before me.
I grabbed the phone, only to realize that she did everything so efficiently to make sure I would never find her. But she was underestimating me. I was the greatest of De Luca. I had the best resources to find her.
“Get your asses back there and find her. I want her back or you two are gonna lose your dicks. I will make sure you both regret taking a leak when you shouldn't have.” I growled at them. I sent three dozen men with those two bastards. My heart was not at ease. Without her, I was barely breathing. Knowing that she left me on purpose.