Romeo The Mafia Casanova

Eden’s [POV]

Then: Right before the funeral seemed all I did in that living room was wait. It used to be for Romeo. Then it was in fear of seeing him. And now? Now it was for my husband. I both wanted to see him and wanted to be left alone.

But it was time.

It all came to a head. I finally saw the evidence I needed.

They said time healed all wounds. Was that true? Was it false?

More lies.

No truths.

I made my way out of the living room and walked into his office. Thinking about the times when I used to look forward to coming in here after a long day. Tristian would be at this desk, working late with a drink in his right hand. I’d announce dinner was ready, and he’d pull me into his arms and kiss me like I meant something to him.

I had been a partner.

Not a pet.

Now I felt as though he’d owned me and used it as a manipulation while he went out and did exactly what he accused Romeo of.

In Tristian’s quest to win my heart, to beat his brother, he managed to become worse, and I knew I would never forgive him for it.

For only thinking of himself, when all I’d ever asked of him, was his love.

It should have been so easy.

Instead, he couldn’t see past this invisible competition between him and the guy who gave me away. He couldn’t see that I had made my choice that day because, in his head, it was an ongoing thing and always would be. He would always have to fight to win me; no matter how many times I tried to convince him, I’d already won.

The front door shut just as I sat in his leather chair.

I used to spin in this chair.

He’d laugh and playfully tell me to get out.

We’d kiss.

I imagined Tristian would now just tell me to get out while on his way to shower off whatever skank he’d just slept with.

I followed him.

Women’s intuition was wholeheartedly a powerful emotion. It overcame me, and before I knew what I was doing, I was watching him get out of his car and into another woman’s arms. I watched them all morning.

Tears burned the back of my eyes.

Why?

Where had we gone wrong?

Since when did the safe choice turn into your worst nightmare?

“Eden?” Tristian called down the hall.

I took a deep breath, replying, “Your office.”

Footsteps sounded. I blinked, and he was standing there, filling up the doorway.

The man who used to be my best friend.

The man who had said he’d love me in sickness and in health.

The man who had claimed to be the better choice.

The man who had promised never to let me go.

The man who had hated the person his brother had to become for The Family.

The man who no longer had my heart.

The man who had singlehandedly crushed my soul.

“Why are you in my office?” He braced his hands against the door frame, his biceps visible through the black button-down shirt. His black slacks were tight against his thickly corded thighs.

He’d been working out a lot too.

I should have known. All the signs were there. I saw it with my own two eyes.

“Why am I in your office?” I repeated in a condescending tone. “I sent Naz to my dad’s for a sleepover.”

He scoffed. “Still doesn’t tell me why you’re in my chair.”

“A question for a question?”

From the moment I learned the truth of what he was doing, it felt like I never existed in his life; it was as if my memories of him, of us, were just a figment of my imagination.

Our connection.

Our family.

Our love.

Meant nothing to him in the end.

The man who had wanted me.

Who had been raised with me?

Protected me against all else.

Cheated on me.

Two wrongs didn’t make a right, but in that exact moment, I left behind the woman he married.

She was gone, and I had no idea where she was anymore, or if she truly ever existed, to begin with. I’d once thought she would be with him forever. Tristian looked at me in the same way he always had. Bringing back hope and fear like she was still there…

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Breathing.

Lurking under all that resentment.

Waiting to be brought back to life after his betrayal.

He looked at me like nothing had changed between us.

When in my reality, everything had.

I had to keep reminding myself of the way he’d treated me; otherwise, I’d fall for his words, and then what?

More lies?

More pain?

More bullshit that would never end.

It was a vicious cycle we were spinning in.

He still looked at me like I was his whole fucking world, while I stared back at a man who had become nothing but a stranger now.

It was all overwhelming.

More than anything, it was undeniably confusing.

I couldn’t decipher what was the truth and what was more lies anymore. He would say anything to get what he wanted.

Me.

I had to stay strong.

No matter what.

We. Were. Done.

He cursed. “Eden? It’s been a fucking long day, and you’re sitting there trying to flirt? Can we talk tomorrow-”

“I saw you. At your office. With her.”

His face paled. “What?”

“The woman who wears the same perfume you got me for our anniversary last year. I saw her. Kissing you. I saw you stripping her. I saw you…” Tears filled my eyes. “Fucking her as any good cheater does to his mistress.”

“Eden, listen”

“NO!” I jumped to my feet. “You listen! I gave you everything, and you cheat? What the hell, Tristian”

He burst out laughing and clapped his hands. “Wow, I should pay you for your performance. Everything? You? Are you fucking kidding me right now? Is this a joke? You came to our marriage bed fresh after fucking my brother!”

“That was years ago, and I apologized again and again. I’d been drinking and”

“Nice.” He held up his hands. “Whatever, I’m going to bed-”

I finally snapped. “I’m leaving you.”

He froze halfway to the door, still turned away from me.

“I can’t be with you if you’re cheating. I won’t. I’m better than that. Naz deserves better than this. You’re never home; you’re fucking a woman under my nose. I can’t. I won’t.”

He turned to face me, lips twisted in a snarl, fists clenched. Rage was evident on his handsome face. “You think I’ll let you go? After all of this?”

“You think you have me still?” I hissed, ready for a war.

He barked out a laugh. “I’ve always had you, and I’m fucking keeping you. You’re just tired. Go and”

“No.” I grit my teeth. “I’m taking Naz, and I’m leaving.”

His nostrils flared, and he was in my face before I got the last word out. “Like hell, I would ever let you take my son from me!”

Maybe I’d been pushed too far.

Maybe I was just exhausted.

Hurt.

Done.

But I finally spoke the truth, yelling, “He’s not your son!”