Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Dante
I’m livid. More and more I’ve been wondering what I see in Bethany and why I chose to marry her in the first place. We were young and searching for where we belonged. With all the traveling her parents did, she felt abandoned, and I knew the feeling well.
At the time, I wanted to be her knight in shining armor. Although her parents spent little time with her, she was no stranger to my family’s world. It made sense for us to marry, I didn’t see the red flags. I was too preoccupied with thoughts of someday taking over the family business, the one that wouldn’t be passed down to Dario. Then there was the dark role I would also have to play at some point.
Bethany also showed me the face she wanted me to see. Never the mean, cruel, narcissistic side that flushes all her beauty down the drain. I’ve been a fool for this woman for years. Now, I spend long hours at work, so I don’t have to deal with her callousness.
I keep my gaze forward as we ride in the back of the SUV. If I speak, I’m going to shout, and I don’t want to do that in front of Bella. My daughter is the innocent party in all of this.
“We still have time to drop Bella off with the nanny so we can make George and Autumn’s party.”
I snap my head in Bethany’s direction and glare. I work my jaw, trying to hold in my explosive rage. My employees work hard to keep my company going. Di Lorenzo Industries would be nothing but a racketeering ring without the people who keep it going day in and day out.
Lizzy is just one of the intricate parts of my staff. Of my three assistants, she’s the one who oversees my schedule and keeps my life on track. She’s shy and keeps to herself. She didn’t have to pretend for Bella, and she didn’t have to go through the trouble of wearing such a stunning costume in the first place.
Hearing her say she made it herself took me by surprise. Lizzy is quirky and always has the best gift ideas for clients and employees. The personal touch does it every time so I shouldn’t be surprised by her talent, but that costume was out of this world.
Her face, I’ve never seen her with makeup on like that. Bella was right. She looked like a true queen.
I appreciate her efforts. A few weeks ago, I overheard her telling Gio she didn’t want to attend in the first place. The office Halloween parties are a tradition passed down by my mother.
All the holiday parties are. No matter how wealthy they became, the workers had always been important to her and my grandfather. There was a time when my mother knew the name of every single employee.
“I’ve had enough for the night. I’ll be putting Bella to bed and retiring myself.”
“When did we become an old couple? This is what I’ve been talking about. All you do is work and spend time with Bella.”
“That’s more than I can say for you,” I snap, trying to keep my voice down as not to wake my daughter who has fallen asleep against my side.
“What are you talking about?”
“Where is your brain? You ignore our daughter, treat everyone around you like shit, and you’re spending has been crazy enough to get both my grandfather and our accountant’s attention.”
“It’s our money and I play with Bella all the time.”
“It’s my family’s money. And when was the last time you spent time with Bella without a nanny in the room to attend to her?”
“I don’t want to have this conversation right now. Not with you like this.”
“That’s what I thought.” I turn to look out the window again as I stew.
I need to figure out how to get my peace back without crushing my little girl’s heart. I’m done with this marriage.
Chapter 2
I’m Sorry
Dante
The elevator doors open on the floor of my office and Lizzy is the first person I see as usual. She stands with her tablet in hand and her glasses perched on her nose. She’s back to her shy self. Not the majestic queen from last night.
“Good morning, sir. You have a full day ahead of you. I’ve placed the contracts you need to look over on your desk. Michelle has noted the changes you wanted to see happen. At noon, you have a meeting to discuss the turkey drive and the company Thanksgiving party. It looks like Gio has blocked out some time this evening to meet with you and Dario as well.”
I listen as she continues. I know all of this, but this is our routine each morning. This is where I ask for changes to the schedule and cancel the appointments—I’m not in the mood to have or need more time to prepare for.