Shattered Choices (Imperfect Choices #2)

1.  Isabella

December

I patched up my heart and my pride and wrapped them in silk before I buried them away with everything I’d lost.

I buried them with all my dreams and hopes

It shouldn’t have been like this.

I should have known better.

It’s what I was afraid of. I gave my heart to a man who ripped it from my chest and stomped on it, and I was left to pick the pieces alone.

After I cried until there were no tears left, all that remained was emptiness in my heart and my belly. Now, I’m rising from the ashes in the depths of hell and covering my wounds with courage I didn’t know I possessed. I packed up the life I created for myself in a bag and made a step I never thought I would.

Now, I’m going back to the place I ran from.

The place I ran from so I didn’t end up like her.

My mother.

Dead.

Killed by her husband, my father, a man she told me love stories about.

A love I watched growing up and wanted for myself.

A love I ached for.

A love that crushed me.

But I’m not my mother, and I reject that path. I’m not a clueless teenage girl anymore. I’m a grown woman who lived and lost the most precious thing, and I’ve promised myself I will never let a man hurt me again.

And Salvatore Catalano will regret coercing me into marriage.

“Isa, are you sure you want this?” Cecilia passes me the papers I asked her to have drawn up for me.

“Yes. There is no going back. I’m leaving tomorrow and Salvatore will receive these as soon as I’m in the air.”

I take a deep breath, bite my lip, and sign my name before I can change my mind.

“Thank you for doing this for me. I know you already have a lot on your plate, and handling this isn’t even in your line of work.”

She takes my hand in hers, squeezing gently. “I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

“I know.”

“Does this mean I have a chance to charm you before you fly back?” Ethan passes drinks to Cecilia and me before smirking as he sits on the couch across from us.

Laughing, I turn to him. “You are something else, Ethan. Thank you for letting me stay here.”

“You mean hide here.” His smirk disappears. “I know I already said this, but I’m sorry about what happened to you. I know I can’t do anything, but at least I can support you.”

Ethan’s penthouse was the only place I knew where Salvatore couldn’t reach me and was secure enough until I could organize my return to Italy.

Pino arranged everything for me. He talked to my father, and he is waiting for me. Pino’s reassurance that he understands is enough for me to be sure this is the right move.

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.” My smile disappears as I remember what led me to this.

Grieving for something I wanted but lost is killing me from the inside. No matter the mask on my face, the hurt is still fresh. The feeling of being used and left to mourn on my own is leaving scars on my heart and soul.

Even if Salvatore didn’t want children, he couldn’t just blame me. He was part of everything. Getting pregnant was God’s will. At least I still believe in that.

However, losing the baby was a man’s work. Being left to suffer alone was his decision.

Getting back on my feet was my decision. Moving forward is my decision.

“When is your flight?”

I shake my head and swallow, pushing the grief back. “My father is sending his men on a private plane. They’re already in the air. I will be out of your hair early in the morning.”

Before he can say anything, a loud banging on the door has him standing.

Ethan’s phone lights up with a notification, and swiping it away, he curses. His jaw clenches and he shakes his head, shooting me a look. “That’s your husband, Isabella. Do you want to see him?”

At the mention of my husband, my heart skips a beat and the hurt in my chest rises, summoning my tears. My stomach dips with every knock on the door, and I swallow the lump in my throat. “No.” I shake my head and close my eyes, keeping the tears from falling.

I don’t notice Ethan standing and moving until I hear the deep voice of my husband.

“Where is she?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“My wife. Where is my wife?”

“How should I know? She’s your wife.”

“I know she came here. The camera outside your building caught her.”

“You hacked into my cameras?”

I exchange a look with Ceci, knowing he isn’t in this alone. His men are searching for me.

“Why do you look surprised? Your family aren’t the only ones with such skills.”

“She isn’t here. I would advise you to leave before my security team escorts you away, and you will not like how it ends.”

“Don’t play with me, Ethan. If I find you’re playing me, I’ll make you pay.”

“Do your worst.”

For a moment, no one says anything. I can hear the beating of my heart in my ears until it’s disturbed by a commotion from the hallway.

“I’m going, but remember, you will pay for hiding her from me.”

I wait for something, but nothing happens. Somewhere deep in my heart, I wanted him to march inside and search for me.

He doesn’t.

Tears slide down my face as I watch Ethan coming back, his eyes flashing, his jaw tense. I put him in this position, but tomorrow, I’m leaving everything behind.

I’ll leave my shattered dreams and the love I yearned for behind. I’ll leave them with the hope to heal and finally accept where I belong.

Accept who I really am.

My father’s daughter.