His Donna Was Never Legally His Chapter 15

His Donna Was Never Legally His Chapter 15

Matteo stepped out of the shadows.

He had clearly been waiting for a long time.

He had lost a great deal of weight, making the lines of his face look sharper.

His eyes were bloodshot and fixed on Ava.

“Ava…”

Matteo stopped.

He reached out, then pulled his hand back.

His fingers trembled as he rubbed the wedding ring on his left hand.

Ava stumbled several steps backward.

Her face went pale as she demanded, “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

The memories she had worked so hard to bury came rushing back.

It felt as though she were plunging into the freezing, violent river all over again.

The scars on her back were still there.

She could never forget the torment or the pain.

Matteo’s eyes reddened.

For a long moment, he couldn’t speak.

He clenched his fingers, his voice shaking.

“I’m sorry…”

“I didn’t know. It was all my fault. I’m sorry.”

All he could do was apologize.

But those words changed nothing.

Ava hurled her sketchbook at him.

“Get out of here! I don’t want to see you!”

“Why do you always show up and ruin everything just when my life finally starts getting better?”

Matteo stood still and didn’t dudge.

Then he picked up the sketchbook, brushed off the dirt, and held it out to her.

The young man who had been standing nearby suddenly stepped forward and blocked Ava from view.

The smile vanished completely from his face.

“She doesn’t want to see you. Leave.”

Matteo finally looked at him, his gaze razor-sharp.

“This has nothing to do with you.”

The threat in his voice was unmistakable.

But the young man didn’t move an inch.

He remained in front of Ava.

“If you don’t leave, I’ll make you.’

Matteo sneered.

“I’d like to see you try…”

Before he could finish, he looked at Ava and saw that she was trembling.

[Ava was afraid of him.]

The realization left Matteo frozen.

He didn’t move any closer.

Instead, he turned and walked away.

As he disappeared into the night, Ava’s shoulders finally relaxed.

She looked up at the young man and forced a smile.

“I’m sorry.”

She paused.

“He’s…”

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

The young man cut her off.

“The past doesn’t matter, does it?”

Ava froze for a moment.

Then her expression softened, and she smiled with genuine ease.

“You’re right. Thank you.”

The young man studied her for several seconds before suddenly speaking.

“My name is Rafael Hale.”

Seeing her stunned expression, he smiled.

“I hope that makes tonight a little better.”