Chương 6 - BIANCA CAME BACK
Bianca returned to Chicago under legal protection.
She asked to see Lorenzo.
He said no.
Then changed his mind two weeks later.
Not for reconciliation.
Closure.
They met in the library.
No bedroom memories.
No wedding photographs.
No audience except Enzo outside.
Bianca looked thinner.
Beautiful still.
That annoyed Lorenzo less than expected.
“I’m testifying.”
“I know.”
“Against Ferreri.”
“I know.”
“Matteo too.”
“Good.”
Silence.
Then Bianca looked at his chair.
Not with disgust.
Grief.
Lorenzo noticed.
“You never hated this.”
“No.”
“Then why did the sentence work so well?”
She cried.
“Because I knew it was the one thing the public would believe.”
That hurt.
Because it was true.
A powerful able-bodied groom abandoned?
Scandal.
A disabled groom abandoned because his bride could not face his disability?
People understood the story immediately.
Too easily.
Bianca had weaponized society’s assumption against him.
“I knew exactly where to cut you.”
“Yes.”
“I hate myself for that.”
“I don't.”
She looked up.
“You should.”
“No.”
Lorenzo’s voice remained calm.
“I’m finished carrying your punishment for you.”
Bianca cried harder.
“I thought if I made you hate me, you wouldn't follow.”
“It worked.”
“I know.”
“No.”
He looked directly at her.
“It ended us.”
That distinction landed.
Bianca whispered:
“Is there someone else?”
Lorenzo almost smiled.
“That is none of your business.”
Her face answered before she did.
Jealousy.
Human.
Then she nodded.
“You're right.”
Before leaving, Bianca placed something on the table.
The red wax seal stamp.
B.
“I don’t want it.”
Lorenzo looked at it.
“Keep it.”
“Why?”
“Because it belongs to your choices.”
She nodded.
Took it.
And left.
Lorenzo watched the door close.
No desire to chase.
Only sadness.
Then Sofia entered five minutes later carrying drawings.
She saw his face.
“Bad time?”
“No.”
She sat.
No questions.
After several minutes Lorenzo said:
“She apologized.”
Sofia waited.
“I forgave her.”
“Good.”
“I’m not taking her back.”
“Also good.”
He frowned.
“You’re very opinionated.”
“You pay me by the hour.”
“I stopped paying you six months ago.”
“Then imagine how much restraint I'm showing.”
He laughed.
And suddenly realized he had not thought about Bianca for the previous four minutes.
May you like
That mattered.
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