Death Between Your Lips

Karma's Fall

I wasn't sure which one felt worse. The fact that he never even needed Andrew's opinion and just wanted to assert dominance in the cruellest way possible, or that he somehow knew my ring size, and designed a dress himself three months ago.

"Happy?" I asked, my voice laced unapologetically with venom. It wouldn't be news to him how nuch I hated him.

"That would be a stretch," he said, then turned to the assistant. "Pack it up."

"Where is Andrew?" I asked, standing my ground. "I am not leaving here until you tell me where Andrew is."

He shrugged. "I would have told you anyway. He is waiting for you right outside."

I started to walk towards the door, but before I could get to the door, Leone was blocking it, his eyes cold and emotionless.

"Not with your dress."

I took in a deep breath, then turned and immediately ran back into the smaller room. I eagerly changed out of the dress, and the assistant promptly packed it up and handed it to me.

I cursed under my breath as I collected it, then ran back outside. Leone was not there anymore, and I made my way out of the main door, my eyes scanning the entire place for Andrew.

I ran down to my car and put the dress into the back seat, then started to open the front door when I heard muffled noises.

I stopped, then slowly walked to the front of my car. Andrew was lying on the floor right in front of the car, his hands and legs were tied up, his lips sealed with tape, his body writhing desperately.

I gasped, my eyes wide as I immediately pulled him to me, my hands wrapping around him, my chest heaving.

I had parked my car to the left, and if I had not stopped, I would have at least injured him with the car.

"That f*****g bastard," I hissed, my chest heaving hard, my hands wrapping tighter around Andrew.

I managed to untie him and get him into the car, and I drove off at top speed right back to the penthouse.

"Wait here," I told him as I gently helped him lay on the bed, then started to walk towards the bathroom to find the first aid box.

His hand, however, wrapped around my wrist, stopping me from leaving. I turned to him, my heart beating wildly. I knew I was far too guilty to look him in the eye, but it had to happen.

"Andrew."

He pushed himself to sit, his hand still holding mine, his gaze a mixture of fright and surprise.

"He..." He said, his voice low, almost inaudible. "He recognized me, Ginevra."

I swallowed hard, holding his hand tighter. "I am sorry. I am sorry, Andrew."

"Are you really going to marry him? Ten years ago, you and Don Matteo.."

"Stop," I said, my eyes darting across both of his. "I have no other choice."

"And what about me? I did everything you asked me to do to him ten years ago before Don Matteo orchestrated the accident. He will sooner or later, kill me, Gine."

"He won't. I will make sure he doesn't."

"But what about us?" Desperation was seeping into his voice now, his grip on my hand so tight that it hurt.

"You are hurting me," I said, attempting to move my hand.

His grip, however, tightened around my hand, and he pulled me to him, his eyes wild with anger and an almost depraved rage.

"You did this. You were the one who wanted to teach him a lesson after everything. It was your father who..."

"You are hurting me!" I said, my voice rising, but he only brought me closer, his eyes wide.

"No. You are not going off with that man and leaving me to be his prey. You are not going to..."

"Andrew."

"I do not agree."

"Let me go!"

"No!"

Before I knew it, I slapped his cheek hard, causing his face to swerve violently to the left and his words to finally stop.

My eyes widened, but I wasn't sorry. He was hurting me.

I pulled my hand out of his grip and stepped away, my chest heaving hard.

"I know what I did ten years ago. And yes, I will get married. You just stay the f**k out of it if you don't want to get hurt."

He didn't reply, and I turned away, then made my way downstairs and out of the penthouse.

The sky had darkened with rain clouds, and the droplets were already falling steadily, breaking apart like I was deep inside.

Ten years ago, I had made a decision that ruined my life.

I closed my eyes, and the flashes filled my mind. The way Leone had been the only one who came to my mother's funeral. The way he gave me flowers and little notes at lunchtime. The way he had been the ray of sunshine I needed at the worst time of my life.

Only for him to meet that fate in my hands. I could still hear how he begged when Andrew and the other two boys from his clique locked him in the stall. I could still hear him screaming my name. I could still see the accident scene.

I looked down at my knees. The long jarred mark was still on my right knee from when I had been there.

Maybe this is my karma. Maybe I am finally coming to terms with it.