Chapter 7 - The Honeymoon They Never Took
A year after Lia's birth, Norah received an invitation.
Santorini.
She stared at it.
Matteo had booked the same villa.
Not for Harper.
Not for business.
For them.
She called him.
“You did this?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I still owe you a honeymoon.”
“You already went.”
“No.”
“You went with Harper.”
“I went there with the wrong person.”
There was a pause.
“I don't want a grand gesture.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because I want you to see the place without the betrayal.”
Norah sat quietly.
“I can't promise anything.”
“I don't need a promise.”
She agreed.
They traveled with Lia.
No security convoy.
No entourage.
Just family.
When they arrived, the villa was different.
Simple.
Quiet.
The same sea.
A different life.
Matteo stood on the balcony.
“Three years ago, I thought having everything meant never hearing no.”
Norah smiled.
“What changed?”
“You.”
“No.”
He turned.
“Me.”
He nodded.
“You taught me that people aren't property.”
“That sounds basic.”
“It wasn't basic for me.”
She took his hand.
They walked through the town.
They ate outside.
They held Lia between them.
That evening, Matteo took out a small box.
Norah frowned.
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
Inside was her wedding ring.
The same ring she had left on the kitchen counter.
“I thought you took it.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“I couldn't stop hoping.”
She looked at him.
He continued.
“Now I'm giving it back.”
She stared.
“I'm not asking you to wear it.”
“You aren't?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because it belongs to you.”
She closed the box.
“Matteo.”
“I know.”
He took a breath.
“If one day you want another wedding, I'll stand there.”
“And if I don't?”
“I'll still stand beside you.”
Her eyes filled.
Later that night, they sat on the beach.
Lia slept in a stroller nearby.
Norah leaned against him.
“You really thought I'd always forgive you.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I was arrogant.”
She laughed softly.
“That's one word for it.”
“I know.”
She looked at the water.
“I hated you.”
“I know.”
“I loved you.”
“I know.”
“I still love you.”
Matteo closed his eyes.
He did not move.
“Say that again.”
“No.”
“Please.”
She smiled.
“I still love you.”
He kissed her forehead.
Not her mouth.
He waited.
Months later, when they returned to Boston, they still lived separately.
But something had changed.
May you like
The divorce papers remained unsigned.
And every night, Matteo came home to a house where the light in Lia's nursery was always on.
