Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT ALESSANDRO CAME BEGGING
Alessandro arrived outside Sarah's apartment at 11:36 p.m.
He stood beneath the streetlight holding a small velvet box.
Inside was the diamond key she'd left on the dining table.
Sarah watched him through the security monitor.
Her heart tightened.
For eleven years, she'd loved that man.
Loved him through long absences.
Through dangerous nights.
Through the loss of their unborn child.
Through every silence that had slowly swallowed their marriage.
Now he stood outside her building looking exhausted.
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
“Sarah.”
His voice broke.
“Please.”
She closed her eyes.
“Go home, Alessandro.”
He swallowed.
“I know about Marco.”
Silence.
“And Valyria.”
Sarah looked toward the window.
“I know.”
He whispered:
“Why didn't you tell me?”
She laughed softly.
A sad, exhausted sound.
“Would you have believed me?”
Alessandro said nothing.
Sarah continued.
“You didn't believe I deserved respect at dinner. Why would you believe I understood your accounts?”
His breathing changed.
“Sarah…”
She swallowed.
May you like
“Go home.”
Then she ended the call.
