Chapter 4: The Forbidden Night
435 Words
I left the kitchen shaking.
Alessandro's rage still echoed in my ears.
He didn't follow me.
I went to the guest room — my new prison.
Locked the door.
Curled on the bed, hand on my stomach.
The baby kicked again.
Matteo's baby.
Tears came.
I hated myself.
Hated the weakness that led to that night with Matteo.
Hated Alessandro for forcing the marriage.
Hated the world that made me a pawn.
A soft knock.
"Go away."
"It's me," Matteo's voice, low.
I opened the door a crack.
He slipped in, closing it behind him.
"You shouldn't be here."
"I had to see you."
He looked at me — really looked.
"You're crying."
I wiped my face.
"He knows."
Matteo stepped closer.
"I'm sorry."
"Are you?"
He touched my cheek.
"No. I'm not sorry it happened. Just sorry it hurt you."
His thumb brushed my lip.
I shivered.
"We can't."
"We already did."
He kissed me — soft at first.
Then deeper.
I kissed back.
Hands in his hair.
His mouth on my neck.
I pulled him to the bed.
Clothes came off fast.
His body different from Alessandro's — leaner, but strong.
He kissed down my chest, stomach.
Gentle around the small bump.
"You' re beautiful," he whispered.
I pulled him up.
"Make me forget."
He did.
Slow, tender.
Then urgent.
His mouth everywhere.
Hands worshipping.
When he entered me, it was like coming home.
Different from Alessandro's dominance.
This was passion.
Love?
I came twice, crying his name.
He followed, holding me tight.
After, he kissed my belly.
"Our baby."
I touched his face.
"What now?"
"We leave. Tonight."
I hesitated.
"Alessandro will kill you."
"He can try."
But as we dressed, the door burst open.
Alessandro stood there, gun in hand.
Eyes black with fury.
"You bastard."
Matteo stepped in front of me.
"Shoot me, brother. But she's coming with me."
Alessandro's hand trembled.
"The baby?"
"Mine."
Silence.
Then Alessandro lowered the gun.
"Take her."
I gasped.
"What?"
He looked at me — broken.
"I forced you into this. I won't force you to stay."
Matteo stared.
"You're letting us go?"
Alessandro nodded.
"But if you hurt her..."
"I won't."
I stepped forward.
"Alessandro..."
"Go."
Tears in his eyes.
I touched his face.
"I'm sorry."
He turned away.
Matteo took my hand.
We left.
In the car, driving into the night.
I looked back at the mansion.
Freedom?
Or another cage?
Matteo squeezed my hand.
"We'll be okay."
But as we drove, headlights followed.
Alessandro?
Or someone worse?
The war between brothers had just changed.
And I was still in the middle.
- Writer
