Sweet Temptation

Chapter 9

Cassio

Annoyance hummed under my skin. Giulia peered up at me calmly, thinking she knew everything. It was the advantage of youth believing you knew how the world ran and convinced you could shape it to your ideals. She'd soon realize that ideals were just teenage foolishness.

"Come now," I gritted out, not wanting to release the frustration of the last few months on her. Ultimately, it was my fault for allowing this marriage, for thinking an eighteen-year-old girl could be a wife and mother.

The idea that Giulia could become Gaia 2.0 turned my stomach over. Giulia opened her mouth as if to say more, but I sent her a warning look. She'd need to learn when to shut up. She pursed her lips but remained quiet.

I led her to Daniele's room first. I opened the door but didn't turn the lights on. Daniele's bed was empty.

"Where is he?" Giulia whispered, worried, as she crossed the room toward the bed.

My heart clenched. Turning on my heel, I walked out and strode down the corridor. Steps followed me, and Giulia appeared at my side.

"Cassio?"

I didn't say anything I couldn't.

The door to the last room on the left was ajar as I knew it would be. I pushed it open. The light spilling in illuminated Daniele's small form on the huge king-sized bed. He was curled into himself on top of the comforter, half covered by his own blanket. I took a deep breath, hating the feeling of guilt wilting my insides. Anger toward Gaia was an emotion I could handle better.

I could feel Giulia's eyes on me, the myriad of questions she wanted to ask. In the silence of the room even her unspoken words frustrated me. She took a few hesitant steps toward Daniele. My hand shot out, clamping down on her upper arm with more force than intended. She winced, looking up at me in a wounded way that had nothing to do with my hard grip. I released her at once then walked past her toward the bed. For a moment, I watched my son's tear-stained face. He was only two, three in a month, an age when tears were still okay. Soon, they wouldn't be anymore.

I bent down and carefully picked him up, trying not to wake him. Whenever I did, he'd squirm away and start crying again. He didn't wake, however. His tiny head leaned against my chest as I cradled him against my body, the blanket swaddling him.

Giulia followed me without a word as I walked out of the bedroom and carried Daniele back to his own room. I put him down on his bed, covered him, then stroked his hair lightly. Feeling Giulia watching me from the doorway, I straightened and headed to her. She stepped back so I could close the door.

Giulia scanned my face, her expression filled with compassion.

"Does he always come to your bedroom at night?"

"It's not mine," I pressed out. "It's Gaia's. I sleep in the master bedroom."

"Oh." Confusion showed on Giulia's face. “You didn't share a bedroom with your late wife?"

I gritted my teeth, trying to stifle my anger and worse, that heavy feeling of sadness.

“No." I headed to Simona's room. Giulia hurried after me. She couldn't let it drop. She was too curious.

"Because you don't want to share a bedroom?"

I glared.

"No. Because Gaia didn't want to share a bed with me. Now stop the questions."

My voice was harsh, threatening-a tone meant for soldiers that displeased me, definitely not for my wife. I turned away from Giulia's hurt expression. My grip on the handle was crushing as I shoved open the door. Not waiting for Giulia, I crossed the room and headed toward the crib. Simona slept soundly. Some of the darkness in my chest lifted, never all of it though. I couldn't even remember a time when my thoughts hadn't been dominated by darkness. I stroked my daughter's chubby cheek with my thumb then leaned down and kissed her forehead. I was on the way out when Giulia spoke up.