I turned away, my hands trembling as I wiped at my tears. “And now what? What am I supposed to do with this?” I gestured to the contract, the damning evidence of my hollow marriage. “My whole life has been a lie. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “I feel like I’m falling apart, Vito. I don’t even know where to begin picking up the pieces.”
“You don’t have to do it alone,” he said, his voice quiet but resolute.
I turned to him, confusion etched across my face. “What are you saying?”
He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully. Then, taking a deep breath, he said, “I’m saying I’ll be here for you, Celia.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with promise. I searched his face, looking for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was sincerity.
“Why?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why would you do that for me?”
Vito’s eyes softened, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his usually stoic demeanor.
“Because I care about you, Celia. More than I ever should have.”