Chapter 104 START FROM THERE.

Chapter 104 START FROM THERE.
CINNAMON.
Tears streamed down my face as I cried, wiping my nose with the tissue Risa had given me. I have been trying to stay strong but it has gotten tougher with Dante being shady and the secret I was keeping for Dove. I had to talk to someone but I didn't share too many details because, at the end of the day, Dante was still family, and some family secrets should remain private.
"I'll spell it out for you, Cinnamon. Dante is cheating. For him to let you see it means he doesn't respect you," Risa said as she settled back into her seat. "Cinnamon, I really think you should consider divorcing him. You're young and have a son to care for. You don't deserve what he's putting you through." She leaned in and handed me another tissue.
My hand trembled at the thought of Risa suggesting I divorce Dante as I took the tissue from her, crumpling it. I loved him deeply and couldn't picture my life without him. Why would he want to hurt me like this? He brought another woman to our son's birthday and hasn't explained a thing since then. Even worse, he has been acting as if he did nothing wrong.
"Risa, you used to like Dante for Cinnamon," Khole said over the phone, "what happened?" We had her on speaker.
I was talking to them because they were my other family and I was on the verge of depression and confusion.
"I've just noticed how he has changed, Khole. Since their marriage, I've seen some red flags with him even at work." Risa's tone turned serious. "He’s too friendly with every woman around him. I've been warning Ci for a while now, but she hasn’t taken me seriously."
I gazed at my wedding ring, twisting it around my finger as it felt heavy like a chain instead of a symbol of our love.
Risa adjusted her tight blouse that plunged low. Her style had become increasingly seductive since we returned to work.
"I think there’s more going on than we realize," Khole said. "Cinnamon, have you tried sitting down and talking with him?"
Fuming, Risa replied, "That’s all she does whenever there's an issue, be the first to address it, Khole."
I lacked words. Maybe she was right. Has been right all along.
She crossed her legs. "Can't you see that Dante is stringing her along? I can't believe you're still being lenient with him. Is it because of everything he's providing for you? You should be encouraging your sister to leave him instead of suggesting she talks things out with a cheating man." Risa tossed her ponytail and exhaled sharply. "Divorce that man."
"Risa, don't ever think that I can be bought or would prioritize my own interests over my sister's wellbeing," Khole cautioned, her displeasure clear in her voice.
"Then stop defending a man who—"
"I'm not defending him. I'm telling Cinnamon not to jeopardize her marriage over one image when none of us know the full story." She paused. "There’s a difference. You’d recognize that if you weren’t so eager for them to split."
"Eager?" Risa leaned forward. "Why would I be eager—"
"You tell me." Khole’s voice was firm. "Because from where I stand in New York, you've been pushing this divorce narrative since before we had any real facts. So yes, you tell me."
"Enough! Both of you," I shouted.
My voice echoed off the walls of the office and bounced back at me as I sat there, breathing heavily, tissue clenched in my fist.
"How is this helping me?" I looked from the phone to Risa. "How does your fighting help me understand what’s going on in my own marriage?"
Khole fell silent on the phone while Risa gripped the armrest tightly, seething.
I pressed my palms against my eyes, inhaled through my nose, and tried to count to something—I didn’t know what number I reached; it didn’t matter.
There was a soft knock on the door. I hesitated before responding. Quickly, I dabbed at my eyes with the tissue to fix the smudged mascara on my face. I pushed my hair back, sat up straight, and rolled my shoulders back.
Clearing my throat and exhaling to gather myself, I said softly, "Come in." I forced a smile onto my face.
It was work hours; someone undoubtedly needed my attention for something important.
The wooden door creaked open, and Dante peeked his head inside before stepping fully into the room.
Upon seeing him, my smile vanished instantly. He avoided making eye contact with me as he scanned the room, looking at Risa and the phone on the desk but not at me.
"Good morning, Dante," Risa greeted with a voice as sweet as honey, standing before him. She smoothed her skirt down over her thighs, which she made sure were on display, and smiled at him with kindness. You wouldn't believe she had just been talking about me leaving him only moments ago.
"Good morning, Risa." He didn't return her warm smile. His hands were folded in front of him. "Can you excuse me? I’d like to talk to my wife."
"Mrs. Wealth-Moretti," I corrected reflexively, not even thinking about it.
I’m not sure why I said it.
Or maybe I did know.
He had walked in holding a piece of paper and not looking at me, which showed he wasn’t planning to make things right.
Risa's expression faltered. "Of course," she said softly, brushing her finger across his suit. I watched her with jealousy prickling at every nerve. My gaze followed her movements, and I noticed that her eyes landed on the paper in Dante's hand. "I'll see you around Ci. Please don’t forget that puppy you promised to bring in from India."
I was confused and didn’t try to hide it. "What puppy from India?"
She was already making her way toward the door, swaying her hips more than necessary. "Oh," she waved her hand playfully, "you must have forgotten. We’ll discuss it later."
She left, and just then, Khole cleared her throat.
"Dante, can you hear me?"
He raised an eyebrow, questioning who was on the phone.
"I have Khole here," I explained.
"Hi, Khole."
"What the hell is going on? Everything was fine just a few months ago," she exclaimed angrily. Khole never held back when she was upset. "Now my sister is sitting in her office crying while I'm stuck in New York feeling completely useless—"
"Khole." I interrupted whatever Dante was about to say to stop his words. I reached for the phone and said firmly, "I’ll call you back."
"Cinnamon—"
"I love you. I'll call you back."
"Alright." She exhaled. "But hear me when I say that you two better sort this out. Because if I have to fly back to Alabama, neither of you will enjoy my presence."
Khole ended the call. Dante stood beside the chair, his hand resting on its back, his expression filled with defeat. A part of me wanted to rush over and hug him.
I have missed my husband so much. I hated everything happening right now. I needed him completely—body, soul, and mind. Yet, I couldn't ignore the obvious, which kept me anchored in my seat.
He glanced at the paper, then at me, letting out the deepest sigh I’ve ever heard. “Puppy from India. Really?” He said it slowly. “Telling our business to—” He paused, looking at the door Risa had just exited. A flicker of something crossed his face that I didn’t have the energy to decipher at that moment. He raised the paper to my eye level. “Spending this.”
I noticed the numbers and swallowed hard, but I concealed my reaction so well that he couldn’t read it.
“Where do I even—” He rubbed his temples. “Where do I begin?”
With all the anger and disgust that had built up as I watched him feign innocence, I replied firmly, “You can start by telling me who that woman was whom you kissed on your son’s birthday, Dante.” I stood my ground, unwilling to back down or allow him any room for more excuses.
He blinked in silence, still holding the paper in one hand.
“I’ve been patient,” I continued. “My silence doesn’t mean I'm a fool. I've given you every chance to explain yourself—every single one. But you never addressed it. Since we’re finally having this conversation, start by explaining yourself, Dante Moretti, my dear husband.”