The Runaway Don’s Bride Chapter 09

The Runaway Don’s Bride Chapter 09

Identita’s POV

kept going, stripping away his performance of devotion.

And how did you treat me? As Vittoria’s substitute? An excuse to stay close to her?”

What little color remained in Dominic’s face drained away.

I thought I’d never feel anything for you either. But somewhere along the way, I don’t know when–”

Tent him off.

But you never once asked me if I was okay with being treated that way.”

You never once considered whether the girl you always put second might be hurting.”

His mouth opened. Not a single word came out.

Go home, Dominic.”

I mean it. I want to start something new. With someone who makes me their first choice.”

He stood there for a long time. So long that even Leo lifted his head to look at him.

Then, finally, he turned and left.

This time, the shoulders of Naples‘ most powerful man sagged forward. Not straight and commanding like

before.

After he was gone, the courtyard stayed quiet for a long while.

Lorenzo was sitting on the front steps at some point–I hadn’t noticed when.

Sunlight draped over him, making him look like a prince out of a storybook.

I walked out and sat down beside him.

“You heard all of that?”

He nodded. Didn’t ask anything more.

“I used to love someone. For years. But to him, I was always second. Everything went to my sister first. Whatever was left—that was mine.”

Lorenzo listened in silence.

Then I ran. Came here to Florence to make pottery. I’m slow and I’m a coward–couldn’t compete, so I just

ran. Pathetic, right?”

He was quiet for a moment.

Then his voice came, not laud, but steady.

“It’s not pathetic.”

I looked up at him, surprised.

His gaze rested on the plane tree in the courtyard. His tone was calm

“People who manage to run are people who’ve saved up enough courage to do it.”

“Most people don’t even have that.”

He turned his head toward me. Sunlight caught in his eyes, bright.

“Valentina, everything you just told me–hearing it, I only had one thought.”

“What?”

“I wish I’d met you sooner.”

I blinked.

“How much sooner?”

He smiled.

“The first time you gave up your slice of cake.”

“When you wore your sister’s old clothes and got laughed at. When you decided you weren’t good enough.”

A pause. “I would have told you: you don’t have to become anyone else. You, as you are, are enough.”

My nose burned all at once.

“You know, every time Leo comes here, he’s so happy. Those little clay things he makes–he sleeps with them on his pillow.”

Lorenzo looked at me. “Someone my brother loves that much has to be very gentle. Very kind.”

I opened my mouth. Couldn’t find words.

My eyes were already full.

Lorenzo stood up from the steps. Faced me.

“Valentina, I like you.”

“The way you focus when yail work. The way your eyes curve into crescents when you smile. The way you

rauch dien to 100’s level when you hand him clay

His voice shook slightly. He was nervous too.

**

“I want to be with you. I want you to be my only one.”

I looked up at him, and the tears finally fell.

“But I’m not exceptional.”

He wiped the tears away.

“Being loved was never about being exceptional. It’s because you’re you.”