The next day, Dante left the house for an important meeting with his father. The air was thick with unsaid words, but the truth that had come between them now felt lighter, more tangible. Before leaving, he made sure to give Eva a few instructions.
"Keep an eye on Amelia while I'm gone," he said, his voice hard but laced with concern. "She's not to leave the house. If anything feels off, call me immediately."
Eva nodded, though she had never seen Dante so worried about anyone before. He was usually so composed, but now, there was an edge to his demeanor that even she couldn't ignore.
As Dante departed with his right-hand man, the quiet tension in the house lingered, but there was also an unspoken understanding between Amelia and Eva. Amelia was still reeling from the confession, unsure of what came next. She found herself walking through the halls, lost in thought, but something felt different.
It wasn't the same emptiness she had felt before. There was a new sense of hope, of possibility.
It had been days since Dante had left, and the house was unusually quiet without his presence. Amelia found herself pacing the hallways, unable to focus on anything for long. Her emotions were still in turmoil after the revelations between her and Dante. She was torn between the exhilaration of their shared confessions and the uncertainty of what that meant for their future. The thought of being locked away in the house while he was out in the world, busy with his business and family, made her restless.
She needed a break. She needed to talk to someone who wasn't wrapped up in the complexities of her marriage or the mafia world. Someone who could offer her a sense of normalcy—someone like Clara.
It was then that Amelia made up her mind.
She found Eva in the kitchen, her eyes scanning over a list of supplies for the household. Amelia approached her cautiously, hesitating for just a moment before speaking.
"Eva," she began, her voice gentle but determined. "I need to leave the house today. Just for a little while."
Eva turned to her with a raised brow, clearly surprised. "Leave the house, Miss Moretti? But Dante specifically asked me to keep you here... I'm afraid he wouldn't approve."
Amelia swallowed the lump in her throat. She knew Eva's loyalty to Dante was strong, but she needed this. She needed to breathe, to talk, to find a piece of herself outside the walls of this mansion. "Please, Eva," Amelia pleaded, her voice soft but desperate. "I promise, I won't be gone for long. I just want to meet Clara. She's a friend I made while shopping a few days ago. We talked about some things... and I really need to speak to her."
Eva looked at her for a long moment, clearly torn. "I understand, Miss Moretti, but I must inform Dante when he returns. He would be furious if something were to happen to you."
"I understand," Amelia responded quickly, her eyes pleading. "But I need this, Eva. I swear, I'll be careful. I just need to talk to her, to clear my mind. Please."
After a long silence, Eva sighed, clearly relenting. "Fine. But only for a short while, and I'll be accompanying you. I won't let anything happen to you."
Amelia smiled with gratitude, a wave of relief washing over her. "Thank you, Eva. I promise I won't take long....
Later that afternoon, Amelia and Eva made their way to the café where Clara had invited her. The streets of the city felt alive, and for the first time in days, Amelia felt like herself again. She was no longer just a pawn in Dante's world or a symbol of power and control. She was Amelia—someone who could step outside, breathe in fresh air, and make her own choices, even if just for a short while.
When they arrived at the café, Clara was already waiting for her, a warm smile on her face. "Amelia!" she greeted her with open arms. "I'm so glad you could make it. Please, sit. Let me order you something."
Clara's easy smile was a balm to Amelia's nerves, and she gratefully accepted the seat opposite her friend. For the next few minutes, they exchanged pleasantries, and Clara filled her in on the latest news around town—something that seemed trivial but was a welcome distraction from Amelia's heavy thoughts.
But then, Clara noticed the tension in Amelia's eyes. She could see it all too clearly—the uncertainty, the quiet yearning.
"What's going on, Amelia?" Clara asked gently. "You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Amelia hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice low. "It's Dante," she admitted. "I... I don't know what to think anymore. He's been distant, and then, last night, he confessed things to me—things I never expected to hear from him. It's like... like he's finally seeing me for who I am, not just as his wife or some obligation. But I still don't know where that leaves us."
Clara watched her intently, her expression thoughtful. "It sounds like you're confused."
Amelia nodded, her hands clasped tightly around her cup of tea. "I am. I don't know if I'm ready to dive into whatever this is between us, but I can't ignore it either. I'm just... lost."
Clara leaned forward, her eyes softening with understanding. "You're not alone, Amelia. I think it's clear you've caught his attention, but it's also clear he's afraid of what it means. Men like him—men who are used to control and power—don't let their guards down easily. But... it sounds like he's falling for you. And if you feel the same, you have to ask yourself—what are you willing to do about it?"
Amelia's heart raced at the question, her thoughts swirling. "I don't know," she whispered. "I don't know if I can let myself fall for him. I don't want to lose myself in his world."
Clara reached across the table and placed a comforting hand on hers. "But you won't lose yourself, Amelia. You're strong, and you've got a mind of your own. If you choose to be with him, do it because you want to, not because you feel like you have to. You're still you."
Amelia closed her eyes for a moment, taking in Clara's words. They were exactly what she needed to hear. She had spent so much time wondering if she was enough for Dante, if she could ever truly be the woman he needed. But now, with Clara's support, she began to see that she didn't need to change herself for anyone not even for her husband.
When Amelia opened her eyes, she found Clara watching her with an encouraging smile. "You've got this, Amelia. Don't be afraid to take the leap."