He Loved Me in Secret, Until I Became Someone He Could Never Have Chapter 05

He Loved Me in Secret, Until I Became Someone He Could Never Have Chapter 05

“Why?” I asked.

Alessio’s face stayed calm.

“Camilla needs a project with her name on it. You don’t need the optics.”

I laughed. It was the first time he’d ever seen me laugh like that.

His brow creased. “What’s so funny?”

I closed the project file. “When I was up for promotion, I hadn’t put in the time. When I earned bonuses, it was the Family’s connections carrying me. She does nothing, and for her it’s ‘she needs

the experience.’ Your rules. I get it.”

Alessio’s voice softened. Rare for him. “Vivi. I’m glad you see it that way.”

Before, whenever he called me that in private, I always melted.

Not this time. I just nodded. “I’ll do the project.”

As for what role I’d play, he didn’t need to know.

I finished the last of my exit paperwork. And went straight to the airport.

Before boarding, I sent my mother one message. [Tell Father I’m coming back to Port Aurelia.]

I paused.

Then added: [And set up the meeting with Valerio Moretti.]

That night, Alessio went to the employee apartment building for the first time.

He stood outside, messaging me from his personal account.

[Still mad?]

[It’s our anniversary today.]

[Come down. I’ll take you to dinner.]

His message didn’t go through.

That’s when he realized I’d blocked his personal account too.

He stood there a moment, then headed inside.

It hit him only then that in five years, he didn’t even know which floor I lived on.

His phone buzzed. Camilla, crying. Something fell in her new apartment. She was alone and scared.

Alessio looked up at the old employee building. No elevator, half the hallway lights dead.

And turned around.

Three days later, I still hadn’t come back to the office.

Dominic grew more anxious by the hour.

“Alessio, Moretti Holdings is coming tonight at eight to discuss the Port Aurelia partnership.

“They said before they’d only deal with Vivienne.”

Alessio kept his eyes on his paperwork. “She’ll come.”

He knew me too well. Or at least he thought he did.

Soft-hearted. Sentimental. Loyal to a fault.

I’d built Rinaldi Holdings from nothing alongside him. How could I really walk away?

He’d already decided. If tonight went well, he’d make an exception and promote me.

That was his idea of making things right.

Seven fifty-eight.

Alessio checked his watch in the private dining room.

Camilla spoke up beside him. “Guess Vivienne’s really a no-show. She bails on a project this important? Real professional.”

The words barely left her mouth.

The door swung open. I stood in the doorway. “Who says I’m not coming?”