The days following Amelia's heart-to-heart with Clara felt like a turning point. For the first time in what seemed like forever, she was able to breathe freely, unburdened by the constant pressure of perfection and expectations. She wasn't just Mrs. Moretti anymore. She was Amelia, a woman with desires, feelings, and a voice that could no longer be silenced.
But even with her newfound clarity, there was still one thing holding her back—Dante. He had been distant lately, consumed by whatever business had called him away, and while he had returned to the house several times, there was always an air of tension between them. Something unsaid lingered, and it kept Amelia at arm's length.
It was on one of those quiet nights that Amelia decided she had waited long enough. She couldn't keep pretending, couldn't keep pretending to be a woman who didn't feel the heat of desire or the pull of love. She wasn't sure what Dante's feelings for her were, but she had already spent too much time wondering. It was time to confront what they had, what they could have.
That evening, when she heard Dante's footsteps in the hallway, Amelia knew this was her chance. She stood from her seat, her heart hammering in her chest. This was it. She had made up her mind. No more second-guessing, no more hiding.
She walked down the hallway toward his office, where she knew he was working. The faint rustling of papers and the soft clicking of a keyboard echoed through the hall, every sound heightening her anticipation.
When she reached the door, she hesitated for only a moment before knocking softly.
"Come in," Dante's voice called, low and commanding, laced with a tone that made her heart skip.
Amelia's breath caught in her throat as she slowly pushed open the door. Dante looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something that made her pulse quicken.
"Amelia," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an undertone of something deeper, something she couldn't quite place. "What is it?"
She crossed the room, the weight of her decision pressing heavily on her shoulders. She wasn't sure what she expected, but she knew she had to say it. She couldn't keep running from the truth any longer.
"I know we've been avoiding this," Amelia started, her voice quieter now. "But I can't keep pretending anymore. I can't keep pretending that I don't want more from this marriage, from you."
Dante raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his dark eyes watching her with a quiet intensity. Amelia pushed forward, needing to get the words out before she lost her nerve.
"I'm not some object that you can keep locked away, Dante. I'm your wife, and I've kept myself for you, even when everything inside me screamed to be with you. But I need more than just the silence, more than just the distant glances. I need to know where we stand. I need to know if you feel the same way about me, or if this is just a duty for you."
Dante's gaze softened, but he said nothing at first. His silence was suffocating, but Amelia could sense that he was wrestling with his own emotions. She didn't dare speak again, waiting for him to respond.
He slowly stood up, his tall figure towering over her. For a long moment, he didn't say anything, but then his face softened. "Amelia," he began, his voice low and hesitant, "I've been trying to protect you from this world, from all that comes with it. I wanted to keep you safe, keep you away from the darkness that follows me. But I see now... I've been a fool."
Amelia's breath hitched. "A fool?"
"Yes," he said, his voice strained but sincere. "A fool for not seeing what's right in front of me. You've always been the one. The only one."
Her heart raced as Dante gently cupped her face in his large hands, his thumb stroking her cheek. His touch was warm, tender, and it made everything inside her ache with the intensity of it. She felt vulnerable under his touch, yet she didn't want to pull away. She wanted to stay there, in that moment, forever.
"I never meant to push you away," he whispered, his forehead resting against hers. "I've always wanted you, more than I've ever wanted anyone. I just didn't know how to show it... or how to let go of my fears."
Amelia's voice trembled as she asked, "You want me?"
Dante closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, and when he looked at her again, there was a depth in his eyes that left her breathless. "I've wanted you from the moment I saw you. It's always been you, Amelia. I just didn't know how to say it."
Amelia's chest tightened with emotion. His words were everything she had ever longed to hear, yet they left her with so many questions. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Dante's lips found hers in a kiss that was slow, almost reverent. His hands slid to her back, pulling her closer, and she melted into him, her heart pounding in her chest.
They pulled away slowly, both of them breathless. Dante's expression was softer now, but there was still a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
"I've never known love like this," he said quietly. "But I want to learn with you. I want to be with you, Amelia."
Tears welled up in Amelia's eyes, but she blinked them away, offering him a small smile. "Then let's do it, Dante. Let's do it together."