When Rome Finally Snowed, The Don Lost Me Chapter 09

When Rome Finally Snowed, The Don Lost Me Chapter 09

The storm beat against the floortoceiling windows, 

loud and fast. 

I trembled and curled up under the covers. 

I suddenly remembered Zayne’s mother Helena had 

come to see me once. 

She said, “Renee, Zayne is the new head of the Bellandi Family. He’s nice to you now only because you’re still useful. If you ever threaten his power, he’ll get rid of 

you himself.” 

“Don’t think you’re clever. A child won’t buy you a 

place in this family.” 

Back then, I’d been naive enough to think love could 

conquer anything. 

But clearly, a caged little bird was nothing compared to 

a proper, highsociety match. 

His choice would always be the one that made sense. 

It would never be me. 

Never. 

At 7:30 p.m., a video call popped up. It was Julian. 

I hesitated, then answered. 

On the screen, Julian wore a black windbreaker and 

stood under the mast. The headsail behind him flapped 

wildly in the wind. 

He raised an eyebrow and smiled. 

“Miss Renee, sorry. There’s a typhoon. My sailboat can’t dock. I won’t make it until tomorrow.” 

“Can we push our date back to tomorrow night?” 

Julian was in the same graduating class as me. 

He didn’t like the party scene. 

While other guys gambled and chased girls, he sailed the ocean, wild and free. 

He knew I loved sailing. He’d made me a handmade model for my birthday last year. 

But I wasn’t going to show up tomorrow. 

“Julian, I-” 

He cut me off before I could finish. 

“Signal’s bad out here. I have to go.” 

After the call ended, I opened a travel app and booked a ten a.m. flight back to Chicago for the next day. 

By morning, videos of Zayne at Celine’s place were 

trending. 

The curtains were open. Paparazzi caught them kissing 

on the couch. 

The last bit of hope I had died. 

As I packed, someone sent a message in the work group 

chat. 

“Heard from the weather station. It might snow in 

Rome this Christmas.” 

I froze. 

Even now, I still remembered. 

The year I turned nineteen. 

I joked with Zayne. “Z, are we ever gonna get 

married?” 

He didn’t answer. 

After that, I stopped asking for that promise. 

I only said, “Z, do you think it’ll snow in Rome this year?” 

“When Rome has a white Christmas, we’ll get married. 

Okay?” 

He finally nodded. 

Some promises made when you’re too young stick with you forever. 

I even dreamed about that white Christmas every night.