The Donna He Took for Granted Chapter 06
Two years earlier, Corrado had casually promised to buy me crystal earrings suitable for formal
galas.
He had finally kept that promise.
The promise had simply arrived two years too late.
“Ottavia, don’t you want to try them on?”
Expectation shone in Corrado’s dark eyes.
After several quiet seconds, I picked up the beautiful earrings I had once wanted.
I did not put them on.
I let the stones roll once across my palm, turned my wrist, and watched them fall.
The crystals shattered, scattering fragments against Corrado’s trousers.
Only then did I notice the punctures and blood where the dog had bitten through his pant leg.
I treated the wounds as though they did not exist and looked up calmly.
“They’re ugly. I don’t like them.
“Is there anything else?
“If not, I’m leaving.”
Coffee spilled over the rim as his fingers slowly crushed the paper cup. A man who hated the
smallest stain did not even look at his soaked cuff.
He pressed his fingers to his throbbing temple and gave me a humorless smile.
“How long are you going to keep up this performance?
“You threatened Tessa until she resigned, then chose the week she needed heart surgery to punish
me with this breakup.
“I’m willing to overlook every vicious thing you’ve done because of our history.
“Just tell me what you want.
“Do you want to marry immediately?
“Fine. We’ll go to the Manhattan City Clerk’s office when it opens, apply for the license, and have
the civil ceremony as soon as the law allows.”
Corrado’s expression darkened as he closed a punishing hand around my arm and dragged me against him.
Our eyes met.
He searched my face in disbelief and found only the cold distance of a stranger.
I pulled away in disgust. I had no desire to defend myself against Tessa’s ridiculous accusations.
I spoke slowly and evenly.
“Corrado, this is the last time I’ll say it. Our relationship is over.
“I will not marry you, and I don’t want anything else from you.
“If we happen to meet at a college reunion someday, pretend we’ve never met. Don’t come over to
make conversation.”
I did not scream or accuse him, and not one of the helpless tears that once annoyed him reached my
eyes.
I rose, went to the counter, and ordered three full-sugar lattes to go.
For the first time, Corrado could no longer hide the panic gathering behind his eyes.
He followed me outside and said with bloodless lips,
“Ottavia, I was your first love.”
I looked at him calmly.
“So?”
“You were the one who blushed when you confessed. You told me you’d never loved anyone that
much…
“At graduation, we promised to stay together no matter what happened.
“So…”
For the first time I could remember, he began to stammer.
“You can’t end everything because you’re temporarily tired of the relationship. That isn’t fair to
me.”
I laughed.
“Those were sweet promises made when I was young and in love: You didn’t actually expect them to last forever, did you?”
