Chapter 161 Do You Trust Me?

Chapter 161 Do You Trust Me?

ARYA’S POV

"Arya! Arya, you have letters!"

Christabel burst into my room without knocking, waving envelopes above her head like victory flags.

I looked up from where I sat in the rocking chair, Dante was happily eating his meal while my mom sat across from me, embroidering something that looked suspiciously like baby clothes.

"Christabel, you should knock first," Mama chided gently.

She bounded over, practically vibrating with excitement as she handed me three cream-colored envelopes. "Sorry, but these just came and I knew Arya would want them right away!" 

I opened them and recognized Giovanni's handwriting immediately.

"More love letters?" Mom asked, a smile playing at her lips. "You two do know texting exists, right? It's much faster."

"Mama!" Christabel gasped. "That's so unromantic! Letters are special. You can keep them forever and reread them and…" 

She clutched the remaining envelope to her chest dramatically. "It's like something from a period drama!"

"Your sister has been watching too much television," Mom said to me, but her eyes were warm with affection.

Dante made a small, satisfied sound and rested his head against my chest. I adjusted my shirt and held him against my shoulder to burp him.

"Can I hold him?" Christabel asked, already reaching out. "Please? I promise I'll be super careful."

I hesitated, still battling the instinct to keep Dante close at all times… but I was getting better at this. 

I nodded. "Okay, but support his head. And sit down first."

Christabel took Dante and moved to the window seat across the room, cooing at him softly. "Hi, little nephew. Yes, you're so precious. Yes, you are."

Mom watched me watching Christabel, and I saw the observation in her eyes.

"You're different," she said quietly. "From when you first came home."

I knew what she meant. 

"The therapy is helping," I admitted. 

She reached over and squeezed my hand. "I'm proud of you, sweetheart.”

I smiled. "Thank you, Mom."

Christabel looked over from the window seat. "Are you going to open the letters or just stare at them?"

I laughed and opened the first envelope.

Giovanni's words were sweet and thoughtful. 

He shared updates about his day, questions about mine, and little observations about things that reminded him of me. 

The second letter made me smile. He apparently tried to bake something for me and had nearly burned down the kitchen. Then Maria banned him from cooking unsupervised.

The third letter was shorter and I gasped, making two hears turn to me.”

Mom leaned forward. “What is it?”

"He asked me out," I said, a smile spreading across my face. "To dinner tonight."

"Finally!" Christabel cheered. "You two have been writing letters for weeks. It's time for an actual date."

"Giovanni is a good man," Mom said thoughtfully. "He's changed a lot since you first came into his life."

"He has," I agreed. "He's really trying.”

Mom stood and pulled me into a hug. I hugged her back, breathing in her familiar scent of lavender and home.

The door opened again and it was Dad this time, holding a bottle of wine triumphantly.

"Found it! The 1982 Bordeaux. I knew we had one left." He noticed us all staring at him. "What? Did I interrupt something?"

"Just girl talk," Christabel said, grinning. "And Arya has a date tonight with Giovanni."

He frowned.  "A date? Where? When? What time will you be back?"

"Dad," I groaned. "I'm a married woman with a child. I think I can handle a dinner date."

"Still my baby girl," he muttered, but his eyes were twinkling. "And I reserve the right to give Giovanni a curfew."

"You're ridiculous," I told him, but I was smiling.

"That's my job." He moved to kiss the top of my head. "Have fun tonight, sweetheart. You deserve it."



Seven o'clock arrived faster than I expected.

I stood in front of my mirror, smoothing down the deep blue halter-neck dress Mom had helped me pick out. And for the first time in months, I actually felt pretty.

I took a deep breath and headed downstairs.

Giovanni stood in the foyer talking to Papa, but he was holding Dante in his arms.

My heart melted as I watched Giovanni coo at our son, making silly faces that had Dante's little hands waving excitedly.

"Who's the most handsome baby in the world? You are. Yes, you are," Giovanni murmured, completely absorbed.

I cleared my throat. He looked up, and his eyes went wide, mouth falling slightly open.

"Arya." My name came out reverent. "You look breathtaking." He seemed to run out of words.

I bit back a smile. "Thank you."

"Here." He transferred Dante to the nanny, who appeared to take him, and pulled out a small velvet box. "I brought you something."

Inside was a silver necklace with a small sapphire pendant.

My throat tightened and I whispered. "Giovanni.”

"It matches your dress." He moved behind me. "May I?"

I nodded, and his fingers brushed my neck as he fastened the clasp. The touch sent shivers down my spine, the good kind.

"Beautiful," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

Dad cleared his throat loudly. "Remember, Giovanni. Curfew is midnight. Not a minute later."

I turned to stare at him. "Seriously? A curfew? I'm twenty-four years old!"

"My house, my rules." His expression was stern, but his eyes danced with amusement. "Midnight, or I'm sending guards to retrieve you both."

"Understood, sir," Giovanni said seriously, like this was a legitimate military operation. "I'll have her back by eleven-fifty-nine."

I looked between them, incredulous. "You're both ridiculous."

"We prefer 'protective,'" Dad said, kissing my forehead. "Have fun, sweetheart."

Giovanni offered me his arm. "Shall we?"

We walked out and headed for the open car and as we pulled away from the estate, Giovanni reached over and took my hand.

"Is this okay?" he asked, like he always did now.

"Yes." I laced our fingers together, marveling at how normal it was starting to feel safe. 

"I heard Enzo and Jasmine's wedding is in two days," I said. "Are you ready? Best man speech prepared?"

He shrugged. "Mostly. Enzo threatened to kill me if I tell any embarrassing stories, but I have a few good ones saved." 

"I'm happy for them.” And I was honest. “They're good together."

"They are." He squeezed my hand. "How are you doing?"

I knew what he was asking. "Better. The nightmares are less frequent. 

"That's wonderful, baby." He lifted my hand and kissed it. 

His phone buzzed and he glanced at it quickly, then put it away. A moment later, it buzzed again and again.

"Do you need to get that?" I asked.

"No, it's nothing." But I saw the way his jaw tightened slightly.

When it buzzed a fourth time, I frowned. "Giovanni, if something's wrong-"

"Nothing's wrong." He smiled, but it looked forced. "Just… work stuff. I'll handle it later. Tonight is about us."

He launched into a description of the restaurant we were going to, clearly trying to distract me, but I was already suspicious. 

Who was texting him so persistently? And why was he hiding it?

When we pulled up to the restaurant, Giovanni turned to me before we got out.

"Arya." His expression was serious. "Do you trust me?"

The question caught me off guard. "What?"

"Do you trust me?" he repeated. "I know I've given you a thousand reasons not to. But right now, do you trust me?"

I looked into his dark eyes, searching for any hint of deception. But all I saw was sincerity and something that looked like nervous anticipation.

"Yes," I said slowly. "I trust you."

The smile that broke across his face was brilliant. "Good. Then come with me. I promise, everything will make sense soon."

He got out and came around to open my door, offering his hand and I took it.

Because I did trust him and that realization after everything felt like the biggest step forward yet.