Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Sophia

I swallowed lowly when I realised I missed my old look.

I preferred the other Sophia but she was tainted.

I shook my head and turned my eyes away from the portrait, walking back to the closet to find something to wear.

I was interrupted by a knock on my door.

I adjusted my robe and walked to the door, opening it only to find Matteo standing there, dressed in a cargo pants and black Tee shirt which hugged his muscular body. He was holding a bottle of wine and two glasses in his hands.

"I'm sorry I disturbed you,” He apologised as he took in my appearance.

I shifted on my feet and shook my head. “It’s okay. Come in,"

"No. No," He shook his head. “Actually I thought we could have a drink on the terrace. It’s okay if you don't want to,"

"That's nice,” I said. "I'll be there with you shortly. Please, just give me a while to wear something more comfortable,"

He nodded. “I hope I didn't interrupt anything you were busy with,"

"Nahh," I waved it off. "Actually, I'd just walked out of the bathroom,"

♡♡♡

Adjusting the night dress' robe's sash around me as I tied it, I stepped into the terrace, feeling the cold wind against my face, blowing my slightly wet hair.

My eyes landed on Matteo as he leaned against the railing, staring down, sipping from the glass in his hands.

As if sensing my presence, he turned and passed me an apologetic smile, walking closer to me. "Sorry I didn't wait," He nudged towards his glass of wine. "I really needed it,"

I laughed it off. "The night seems peaceful,"

"It sure does" He said as he poured wine in my glass and passed it to me.

We both leaned on the railing, silently sipping our drink without saying a word, until Matteo pointed at my finger. “You don't have your engagement ring,"

I looked at his finger to find the ring still there and back at mine, before looking up at him. “Sorry about that. I took it off when I wanted to have a bath,"

He went silent for a while, then nodded. "It's okay,"

"You aren't upset, are you?” I tilted my head to the side.

He sipped from his wine. "No," He stared at me, pinning me with the stare in the grey eyes. "Why would I?"

I looked away as I felt the guilt slowly creeping in me. "I'm sorry,"

"For?"

"Jumping on you like I did days back,” I stared into his confused eyes. “I lied to Viktor about us being in love when I shouldn't have. I didn't know if you loved someone else and wanted to marry her. I only wanted to help you. You've been a-,"

He cut me off. “What if it’s you I love?"

My breath hitched and my lips parted. “What are you-,"

He cut me off by dropping his glass on the table and turning to me. He held one of my hands in his warm, large ones. “Truth is, Sophia, I love-,"

Without letting him finish his words, I dragged my hands away from him and took a few steps backwards. His grey eyes darkened and he walked towards me. Just as he caught the frightened look in my eyes, he stopped and his eyes softened.

"Sophia,"

"I'm sorry,” I dropped the glass in my hand and turned to him. “I’m sorry but you can't love me. I'm sorry,"

He took deep breaths and walked towards me, placing his hands gently on my shoulders. “You love someone else, don't you?"

I stilled. "What are you-,"

He cut me off. “I know you love someone else. I can see it,"

"I don't know what you're saying,” I lied, hoping he didn't know the truth.

What if he sent me back to Chase?

He took a step away from me and ran his hands through his dark brown curls. He stopped and stared at me. "I know you love someone else, Sophia. I know you still love your ex-husband. I don't just understand why then you left him,"

I opened my mouth to say something but only a wince came out.

"Look-," He began. “I don't know how to say it but I hope you trust me enough to tell me about your past. I don't want you thinking I invaded your privacy or anything. It’s just that I once stumbled upon you wearing his ring before you changed yourself. That was when I knew you were once married to someone before coming here,"

"I'm sorry,"

He continued. "I understand that you wanted to help me by marrying me but it's okay to marry me also to help yourself move on. I understand how you feel,"

"I'm sorry, Matteo,” I shook my head. “I’m sorry I tried to use you, I didn't mean to,"

"It's no problem seriously," He smiled at me. "I hope your ex-husband won't be a problem to our marriage?"

I stared at him for a while, trying to understand how nice people like him were so rare. “I don't know,” I shook my head. “I don't know if he would be a problem. He’s-,"

He cut me off. "You don't need to tell me who he is. The same way I'm willing to wait for you to love me, I'll wait for you to feel comfortable around me enough to tell me who your ex-husband is and everything about your past,"

I nodded, grateful that he didn't know who my ex-husband was.

He stepped closer. "Can I hug you?"

Again, I nodded.

Taking that as permission, he pulled me into his arms. “I love you, Sophia,"

Those were the words I had always yearned to hear but not from the man whose arms I was in. I always wanted to hear them from Chase.

...and there was still a part of me that wanted to hear them from him.

I closed my eyes and reluctantly hugged Matteo back, promising myself that I'd make this marriage work.

Maybe, he was the one actually meant for me.