Chapter 8 - THE KISS BENEATH THE HURRICANE LANTERNS
Two days passed.
Antonio respected my distance.
He didn't enter my room.
Didn't demand forgiveness.
Didn't ask me to pretend.
He simply waited.
On the third evening, a storm approached the island.
The staff secured the shutters.
Lucia brought candles.
And the electricity flickered.
I found Antonio on the terrace.
He stood beneath the hurricane lanterns.
Watching the ocean.
I approached slowly.
“Antonio.”
He turned.
“Sophia.”
I swallowed.
“I have questions.”
He nodded.
“Ask.”
I looked at him.
“Did you know about my father's connection to Elena before we married?”
“Yes.”
“Did you marry me to pressure him?”
“Yes.”
My heart tightened.
He continued.
“And I was wrong.”
I stared.
He looked down.
“I told myself I was protecting you.”
A pause.
“But I was using you.”
I swallowed.
“Then why bring me here?”
His expression softened.
“Because I realized I couldn't keep treating you like part of a plan.”
I looked at him.
He continued.
“I wanted to know you.”
Silence.
“And I wanted you to know me.”
My eyes filled.
He stepped closer.
Then stopped.
“May I kiss you?”
My heart raced.
I looked at him.
Then whispered:
“Yes.”
He kissed me.
Softly.
May you like
Carefully.
And for the first time, I understood how dangerous it was to fall in love with someone who had already broken your trust.
