Chapter 78
Emily
“I’m sorry for what I said in the hospital,” Gian said unexpectedly. “I was angry, upset–but I should’ve never called you that ”
I held back my smile, noticing that apologizing was difficult for him. A typical Fanucci trait. But just as with Alessio, I deserved the apology.
“It’s okay, and I forgive you,” I spoke, feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Hopefully, everything could go back to the way it was in the beginning again.
By the beginning, I meant before he gave me a nickname and all of that. Becoming besties with my brother in law from hell was definitely out of the question.
“That’s it?” Gian tilted his head. “It’s okay, and you forgive me?”
“Yep,” I confirmed, rolling my shoulders back. “It’s okay, and I forgive you.”
Gian looked offended by me accepting his apology. “It’s not okay, and I hope you didn’t do this with Alessio.”
I couldn’t figure out if his concern was genuine or if he had hoped for me to start a big fight so he could play the victim. “I did not, and don’t you worry about me and my relationship,” I shot back. “Be happy I forgave you, okay?” I ended it with a smile.
Gian chuckled, “Sure, I’m sorry.”
I chuckled with him, and just like that, all the tension disappeared. “While you’re here anyway, do you mind taking me to my room and helping me get
into bed?”
“Yes, of course.”
I pushed Gian’s wheelchair to his room and helped him out so he could get into his bed. It was sad to see how much effort it took for him to support himself with one hand, as it left him almost breathless.
“Are your legs getting any better?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Meh,” Gian shrugged, placing his hand behind his head, leaning against the headboard. He could pretend it didn’t bother him, but I could see through
all that.
“But you will walk again, right?”
“I will, but therapy is a bit difficult without a hand,” he responded, swinging his bandaged arm around.
“How can I help?” I offered.
Gian sighed, “Buy me a hook.”
I laughed at his ability to joke about the situation. It required some type of strength, and I knew I couldn’t have done the same. “Don’t you have like prosthetic hands and stuff?” I asked, trying to understand more about his situation.
“I have a long way to go before I can start thinking about any of that. My h… what’s left of my hand hasn’t fully healed yet.”
“Right,” I acknowledged.
Gian smiled softly, “Naty and Melody asked me what happened to my hand–those two dEmilyons requested the full story.”
“They asked me too,” I said, worrying a bit because I never gave thEmily an answer. “What did you tell thEmily?”
“I told thEmily I went head to head with a bear. I won, but lost my hand,” Gian spoke as he drew in a breath.
It was silent as I tried to figure out whether he wanted me to leave or stay to help him.
“It looks like it’s just the two of us around the mansion lately,” I said, breaking the silence.
“Looks like it.”
you have any trouble or need any help, or just want to talk or something–I’m here,” I spoke, meaning every word. Like I said, I
wasn’t trying to be best friends with the guy, but after everything, I felt it was the least I could do.
“Thanks, I’ll hold you to that,” Gian spoke, surprised. A second later he grunted loudly, throwing back his head in frustration.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, confused by the sudden switch.
“You being this nice makes me feel ten times worse about being such an asshole,” he sounded rEmilyorseful. I was glad he seEmilyed to be aware,
“It’s all good. Your words didn’t affect me, I’ve had worse,” I lied. The truth was that it did affect me, maybe more than I wanted to admit. They reopened wounds I thought had healed, rEmilyinding me of a past I was desperate to forget, I was finally prepared to let go of those thoughts of Jason bringing me down daily, and then he decided to throw those words at me–and then my own six–year–old called me stupid for not being able to complete a 1000 piece puzzle.
I motioned to the faint black eye Alessio had given him. “I’m sorry for… you know,” I said, trailing off.
“Yeah, but I deserved it,” Gian accepted. Then it went silent again.
“So, is there something else I can do for you?” I asked, ready to assist with whatever he needed.
“You can help me undress, shower, make me feel better,” Gian replied with a straight face, each request more inappropriate than the last.
Okay, maybe not whatever he needed.
I felt my cheeks heat up with Emilybarrassment, unsure if he was joking or actually serious. His expression was hard to read, and for a moment, I was genuinely puzzled about how to respond.
“Do you want another black eye?” A voice from behind nearly made me jump. Alessio stood at the doorway, and his presence was both a relief and a surprise. I hadn’t even heard him, and wondered at what point he had arrived.
Gian chuckled, unfazed by Alessio’s warning. “It was worth a try,” he said, clearly amused by his request.
“Don’t try it again,” Alessio warned.
He walked further into the room until he was by my side, and wrapped his arm around my waist overprotectively. He grabbed my chin and pecked my lips lightly in front of his brother.
“Alright,” Gian laughed, shaking his head as he acknowledged the boundaries Alessio had set. “How was it today? Do you already know what you’re going to do about the Baldinis?”
Alessio looked at me, then back at his brother, “I’ll tell you some other time.”
Whatever there was to discuss, he believed it wasn’t meant for my ears. It took me back to my conversation with Pilar–but I wanted to believe he had his reasons.
“Aren’t you going to ask me how therapy went?” Gian pushed, seeking praise from Alessio.
“I already know how it went. It might look to you like I don’t care–but I do,” Alessio told him. Gian grew a warm smile in response.
“Now do you want to get some rest or do you want your big brother to undress and bathe you?” Alessio asked mockingly.
Gian shook his head, mortified. “Oh, I’ll go for that rest.”
“You’re sure?” Alessio double checked. “There’s nothing to be Emilybarrassed about. Half the city has already seen your tiny prick.”
I chortled at the situation, and the look on Gian’s face made it all so much funnier. “It’s not tiny, come on–tell her it’s not tiny,” he pleaded with
eyes.
Alessio and I glanced at each other, sharing a laugh.
“It’s not tiny, Gigi.” Gian told me, still busy defending himself to the point I had no choice but to believe him. Alessio chose to tease him with the one thing he took the most pride in, and he succeeded.
Alessio hummed. “And she will never find out.”
“I need to rest, so leave–both of you!” Gian kicked us out, throwing a pillow in our direction. Luckily, Alessio caught it before it could reach me and
The Return of My First Love
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Chapter 78
threw it back at him. Then we left the room.
Once we got into bed ourselves, Alessio wasted no time, his lips already finding the curve of my neck. We harely spend time together anymore, and
when we did have time at night, we made good use of it.
“I missed you today,” I whispered, feeling the warmth of his breath against my skin. “Did you not miss mer
He chuckled softly, nibbling my neck. “I did miss you,” he whispered, his hands roaming, my body. “I missed this
With a soft breath, I closed my eyes as I focused on the familiar feeling.
“What did Gian want from you?” Alessio asked.
“He apologized,” I managed to say, my voice shaking as he lowered his hand.
“Good,” he murmured, moving up to meet my eyes. His gaze was full of hunger as he leaned in closer. “Now enough about my brother
