31.Desires and Boundaries

"You're lying!" Mattio's eyes were blazing with anger.

"Am I?" I retorted, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Recall, Mattio. That night, as Bella and I made love in the car, you walked right past us, umbrella in hand. In that moment, Bella was becoming mine." Ignoring the shock, anger, and hatred that flashed across his eyes, I continued.

Mattio's face turned a deep shade of red with rage. "You touched her," he spat through gritted teeth.

"We made love, more than once," I said coldly, impassively. Mattio's reaction was unexpected; he suddenly burst into laughter. This wasn't the response I had anticipated. Just getting started, and he's already like this? How would I execute my plans?

Mattio's voice was firm, "I will take her back from you."

I laughed in response, "Take her from me? You're a fool, Bianchi. A real fool. No one can take her from me. You know that, right? She's a remarkable woman, and—"

"Shut your mouth!" Mattio's hand slid to his waist, as if reaching for a concealed weapon.

My laughter continued, "Silencing me won't change the facts. Your father tried to kill her. You ruined her life. You thought I wasn't aware? Every day until she wakes up, something will explode. Every day, someone will die."

In anger, I kicked the chair in front of me, sending it crashing to the ground. Our eyes locked, tension palpable between the two of us.

"Break his legs and dump him in front of his father's doorstep," I ordered. I needed to return to the hospital.

As I walked away, Mattio was already being assaulted by my men. When I returned to the hospital, Sofia and Marco were waiting by the entrance, peering through a window.

"Any updates?"

"No changes," Sofia replied. "The doctors still have no idea when she'll wake up."

Sofia, why don't you go home and rest for a bit? Your mother is getting worried," Marco suggested. Sofia shot Marco a venomous look.

"Don't you dare comment on this. Go get me a coffee. I'm lying to my mother because of you. If you want to leave, go. I'm staying here," she snapped. At that moment, I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Marco. Sofia was one tough cookie.

"I'm not going anywhere. Isabella is my friend too."

"You're just her client, Marco. I'm her friend."

"And at the same time, I'm your husband. If you're Bella's friend, I automatically become her brother-in-law. Do you really want me to leave while my sister-in-law is here?"

"Enough! If you two are going to argue, do it elsewhere," I interjected. They both fell silent, and Marco left to fetch the coffee. Another night passed. Time moved on, but there was still no change in Bella. The sedatives they had given her to sleep were stopped. The doctors were waiting for her to wake up on her own, but Bella remained unconscious.

Last night, in the hospital corridor, we experienced the exhaustion of a long and draining day, accompanied by footsteps. Leonardo's patience had run out. His stern expression and firm stance indicated that it was time to remove us from the hospital when we started fighting with Marco again that night. As expected, he gave the order to his men, and they forcibly took us outside.

When we entered the house, I could feel Marco's rage directed at me. "We got thrown out because of you," I stated, accusingly.

I looked into Marco's fiery eyes. "No, my dear wife, we got thrown out because of you. If you weren’t constantly arguing with me, we wouldn't be home now," he replied, taking off his jacket. The stress and fatigue were evident on him.

It had been an hour since we got home. The clock had well passed midnight. I had come to this cozy bed a few times just to change my clothes and hopefully sleep without the haunting image of Bella. But after learning Bella was in the hospital, I never wanted to leave her side. The last time I wanted to change at my house, I was informed that all my belongings had been moved to my husband Marco's home. It was a sign that Marco intended to increase his control over me.

Still, I had to remain silent. I couldn't tell my mother the truth. She was sick, and Bella's condition was uncertain. She couldn't bear both stresses.

"Why are you undressing?" I asked.

"Because I'm going to bed," he said, moving his hands to unbuckle his belt.

"Not in this room. Especially not beside me. Get out." Damn it! He was ignoring my feelings. He took off his pants and, with a push of his foot, moved them aside. When he took off his watch, I continued to glare at him.

"My mother is right in the room next to us; where do you expect me to go?" His mocking tone was clear. He did this on purpose, cornering me from all sides. My only beloved mother was here, and her heart condition restrained me.

I moved around the bed and placed the pillows in the middle. "If you cross this line, I'll kick you."

"Are you a woman or a child? We're married, Sofia."

"Whether I'm a child or not is my concern. Even if I am a woman, I'm not your woman," I said provocatively. I was challenging him now. I was determined to face his mocking demeanor differently.

When I saw Marco lunging towards me, I instinctively moved. Jumping over the bed, I landed on the other side. This wasn't just a bed; it was a reflection of the emotional and physical distance between us. I was determined not to submit to his domineering attitude any longer. Marco, I'm ready to dance with you differently.

"Do you think you can run from me all night?"

"If you don't come at me, I won't have to run," I replied. He laughed mockingly and got into bed.

"If you want to sleep, my dear, you'll come to me eventually," he remarked. The bedroom was spacious, but there wasn't even a couch to sleep on. My gaze drifted to the piano in the room, and I got lost in bizarre thoughts. I couldn't sleep on the piano either. I went to the dressing room to look at my nightgowns. But none of mine were here. There were numerous nightgowns and short sets in the wardrobe, all lacy and seductive, especially in red.

If I didn't want to wear them, I didn't have to. I examined one of them. It was barely there, purely a fantasy nightgown, no different from being naked.

If he was forcing me into this, then it was time for him to be challenged too. I first needed a warm shower to get rid of all the fatigue. The long hours at the hospital had made me so tense that my entire body was stiff. I turned on the hot water and stepped in. Suddenly, arms wrapped around my bare waist, causing me to scream.

"Shh, calm down, my dear. It's just your husband."

"Marco, what are you doing here?"

"I came to take a shower," he replied, his voice deep and resolute. Yet, there was a playful gleam in his eyes.

"Get out now!" His hands roamed my waist, pressing his chest closer to my back. I felt him tighten against me.

"Don't you think there's no such thing as global warming? Taking a shower alone is pure waste," he whispered mischievously in my ear. "I'm sure global warming is your only concern right now."

When his hand slid down, a thrill shot through me.

"Stop!"

He brought his lips close to my ear. "I wonder how warm you are." He sucked on my earlobe. As his hand ventured further, a moan escaped me. It had been so long since I had been with someone. For such a long time, I had been fantasizing about this cursed man, and now, he was here with me.