“Wow,” she whispered.
“Yeah.”
“Your turn now,” Maddie said, pointing at my chest.
“Huh?” I asked confused.
“I shared something. It’s your turn.”
I let go of her hand and laid down on my back again. Share something? What did I have to share? My truth…they were all messed up. And I couldn’t even tell her the whole truth.
But maybe some of it…
“I’m engaged,” I whispered to the ceiling.
Maddie was silent beside me. Then she sat up quickly. “Wha-what?” she sputtered.
The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. I was in a daze, my mind lost as I went back into my past. Images after images, memories after memories flashed in front of my eyes.
“He wasn’t a good man. He beat me up. I was raped—lots of times. I don’t know anything about others because he never let me go outside. He was really controlling. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I ran away, and that was how I found Alessio. I hid in his car to escape him.”
“Ayla,” Maddie gasped, her hands folding over mine.
“He said he loved me. He loved me too much. His love became his obsession.”
“That wasn’t love, Ayla,” Maddie said, her hands squeezing mine in comfort.
“I know,” I whispered. Now that I thought of it, I knew Maddie was right. Alberto never loved me. To him, I was just an item to be possessed. Not a human…not someone he loved. Alberto played a big part in my undoing. I was his obsession, and he was my downfall. My nightmare.
Now, I knew what love really meant.
Love meant soft kisses, gentle caresses, sweet words, and loving eyes.
And Alberto was none of that…
But I found it here.
“Who is he? Alessio is going to kill that little shit of a human being. God, I don’t even know what to call him. I can’t wait for Alessio to get his hands on him. He will wish he never laid eyes on you,” Maddie growled angrily, her hands tightening around mine.
When I was silent, Maddie came closer, placing a hand over my shoulder. “Ayla, does Alessio know? Did you tell him?”
I shook my head mutely, my throat closing up against my words.
“You have to tell him. He needs to know.”
“He knows that I have been raped, but I’m not ready to tell him the other things. I will, but not now. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready, but I know I have to tell him one day.”
“Ayla—”
“And you can’t tell him either. Please, Maddie,” I begged, quickly sitting up and grasping her hands in mine.
“That’s not my story to tell. You have to tell him yourself. But you can’t keep this from him for too long. In the end, you’ll only hurt him and you. Alessio needs to know.”
“I will…I will tell him. But not now.” I was delaying the truth, hoping it would buy me time. I was just trying to find the courage.
I didn’t want to lose what I had just found.
Not yet.
Chapter 2
“Ayla, be careful. You’re going to fall on those rocks,” Alessio called out from behind me.
I laughed freely, jumping from one rock to the other before landing in the cold stream. The cold water rushed across my bare feet and came up a little bit above my ankle. “So cold,” I called out.
“Yet you still insist on getting your feet wet,” he mumbled, coming closer.
“It feels good. You should try it too,” I suggested, turning toward him with a smile.
“No, I’m good,” Alessio said, stopping at the stream’s edge, his hands buried in the pockets of his black slacks.
It had been a week since my conversation with Maddie. Every day, I was tempted to tell Alessio the truth, but my fear for his reaction stopped me every single time. I didn’t want to see the hate or disgust in his eyes.
I wanted him to keep looking at me with the same loving, gentle, soft eyes. I wanted his smiles. His soft words and gentle caresses. I wanted them forever.
Every day with Alessio felt like heaven. It was a breath of fresh air. A glow of happiness. He was my happiness. And I had come to the point where I craved his attention.
He was like a drug, my addiction.
“You don’t want to get into the water?” I asked with a pout. Alessio shook his head mutely. The little grey speckles in his blue eyes were twinkling brightly in the sunlight.
Sending him a smile, I bent down and scooped some water in my palms. My steps were slow as I walked toward him, shoving my hands into this face. “Here.” I giggled.
Before he could do anything, I threw the cold water in his face. Alessio flinched and reared back in surprise. “What the—” Alessio growled, swiping his hands over his wet face.
Hiding a laugh behind my hands, I took a few cautious steps back. “Oops.” I stuck my tongue out at him.