‘So was stepping into his shoes as CEO. All the pundits said I was too young. They waited for me to fail. But I refused to let my father down. It was a rocky road but I eventually proved myself.’
He’d worked ridiculous hours, barely taking breaks.
‘But still I worried about my mother. She’d lost her joy in life. It was only when Alexa declared she was pregnant that I saw the old spark in Mamma’s eyes.’
‘Ah.’
Angelo nodded. Ally had guessed what came next. ‘My mother and sister were thrilled at me settling down and at the prospect of a baby. It began to feel like the old days, until the truth came out. That crushed my mother, not just that there was no baby but that the woman I’d married was so awful. I had to watch her slide back into depression.’ He paused, his gut cramping. ‘My sister was damaged by it too. Ever since then she’s avoided relationships, worrying the only reason a man would pursue her is for her money. It’s destroyed her confidence and ability to trust.’
‘Oh, Angelo, I’m so sorry.’
‘They’re doing better now.’ His mamma was, at least. ‘But I blame myself for the hurt I brought them.’
‘It wasn’t your fault!’
‘I was the one who brought Alexa into our lives and let them believe in our marriage. They thought our family was healing with a new generation. That’s why I reacted so badly to you. Why I refused to give you the benefit of the doubt. Seeing you dredged up all that pain and reminded me of how I’d failed them.’
Warm fingers closed on his hand. ‘I’m sure they’d disagree.’ Angelo met her eyes and was surprised to see her look stern. ‘You take too much on yourself.’
He shook his head. ‘I promised to protect them.’
‘You care about them very much, don’t you?’
‘Of course. More than anything. They’re family.’
Something flared in her eyes then disappeared. ‘It was Alexa who lied, not you. What about the damage she did to you?’
Angelo withdrew his hand. Not because he disliked Ally’s touch but because it made him feel too much. Made him want too much.
‘I just wanted you to understand. You deserved an explanation.’
Ally regarded him silently and for the first time in for ever it felt as if someone saw past his persona of power and competence to the fault lines deep within.
‘Thank you. I do feel better, understanding a little.’ She paused. ‘Tell me about them. You said your mother is a good cook. What’s her speciality?’
Gratitude filled him at Ally’s understanding and acceptance. At her change of subject, as if she knew how hard it was to speak of this.
‘Seafood.’ He forced himself to smile, though he felt wound too tight. ‘Her family is from Venice so that’s a speciality. But my sister developed a seafood allergy, so Mamma has branched out a lot. Her beefragùhas to be tasted to be believed, and her desserts...!’
Ally chuckled, the sound like liquid sunshine, bright as she leaned close, her face alight. Angelo felt his rigid muscles relax.
‘You have a sweet tooth? What’s her speciality? Tiramisu? Zabaglione?’
He was about to say she knew a lot about Italian cuisine but stopped himself. If Ally became self-conscious about the information she revealed it might stop.
‘She makes those, but her lemon cake is my favourite.’
‘Really? I have the best recipe for a citron tart. It has a luscious lemon filling, topped with slices of lemon sprinkled with icing sugar that you caramelise under a flame. My gran taught me to make it. It’s her favourite.’
Ally’s words stopped with an abrupt snap of teeth. Slowly she lowered her knife and fork to the table. Her gaze sought his, a hazy lavender stare that now looked lost.
‘I did it again, didn’t I?’ She gulped a shaky breath. ‘I can remember tiny things. I can even, almost, picture the kitchen where I learned to cook, but nothing else. Not even her face. Just her silver hair and the warmth of her voice.’
Ally sounded so forlorn, her eyes huge with emotion, that Angelo didn’t think twice, just took her hand in both of his. This generous woman needed support.
‘It’s a good sign that you’re starting to remember snippets.’
‘But whylittlethings? Why not my name or address? Or who my family is?’