A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 12

Alena

Neither of us said a word on the way back to the estate, Matteo was quiet and when | occasionally glanced at his

direction, he was gripping the steering wheel hard as he looked straight ahead on the road. His jaw was clenched

which meant he was still upset. He was probably holding himself back from bursting out in anger and | didn't

want to take my chances.

| was closer to the door, somehow afraid if he was going to say anything if | stood nearer to him.

So, when we got to the estate, he stepped inside without looking at me.

As soon as we entered the house, | began to throw my things on the ground-causing an instant mess which

caught his

attention

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Who am | to you?"

"What?"

"You've been ignoringever since we got back from Sicily. And suddenly, you showed up tonight pretending

you care about me. You said whatever happened that night can never happen again, and you set up boundaries,

but you decided it was okay to finger me?!" | was furious because | had enough of this-if he was serious about

setting boundaries, he wasn't supposed to touch me. He was supposed to stay away.

Not ignoringfor a whole week after pleasuring me.

My feelings were all over the place.

"So, I'm asking you who am | to you? Because helpGod, I'm not your goddamn wife. I'm not your girlfriend.

I'm not your lover. I'm nobody to you." | continued to ask, closing the distance between us.

"I'm asking for you to respect this relationship."

"| am respecting this relationship. You're not respecting my feelings,"

Matteo didn't say a word as he took a few steps back. He was trying to avoid this conversation. He was trying to

walk away and back to his shell-he wasn't going to giveany answers.

"I don't have anything to say to you, Alena."

He turned around, leavingto face his back as he walked up the stairs.

"Right. Go back to your office. Drown yourself in work. | don't give a damn!"

At first, | expected him to turn back around and givethe answers | needed but he disappeared. He didn't

even walk back down to comfort me. It was clear where | stand and all | needed was a slap back to reality.

So, a week of ignoring each other turned to two weeks. Two weeks ended up turning to one month. A month

turned to another month and before | realized, we haven't spoken to each other for three months. Every

morning, he was already gone and every night, he wasn't even at the estate.

If I had early shifts in the morning, his car wasn't in the garage, and neither was he. If | had late night shifts, he

was either sleeping in his room or not even home.

Maybe, it was my fault for starting the conversation, but | didn't regret anything.

20:38 Wed, Oct 9

Chapter 12

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After the whole incident at the bar, Zach and Lily didn't waste tto askabout Matteo on the next day.

They were

surprised when | told them we eloped. Zach apologized for kissingbecause he was caught in the moment

and well, Lily

she was blaming herself for being too drunk to remember the details, but she caught a glimpse of Matteo.

She said | was lucky to marry a handsguy.

Well, if only they knew about my reality. If only they knew | wasn't happy.

| couldn't complain either because this was the life 1 had chosen. My family were leavingbehind-Papa did

calla few times, but | had ignored him. Alexei, on the other hand, did a good job in keeping his distance. So,

here | was standing in front of my home. Meeting Papa and Mama..

"Alena?" Mama opened the door, her eyes wide before pullingin for a hug.

My eyes were beginning to wet with tears as | inhaled her scent. | missed her so much and | couldn't stay away

for long-I needed to see her. She was there forthrough everything, and | wasn't going to leave her behind.

"Mama. | missed you."

"I missed

you so much more, sweetheart. Cinside,

Her warm hand pulledin as she closed the door behind her. She wasn't lettinggo as we walked into the

kitchen. The smell of her cooking was bringing back childhood memories. | saw a few plates of freshly cooked

food on the table. "You cjust in tfor lunch, sweetheart."

"Mama...

She shook her head, "It's okay. Let's eat first then we'll talk."

My favorite was her pelmeni and she made delicious ones.

"It's been a while since | had Russian dishes, Mama."

"I'm glad you like them."

We talked about a few things like work and herself. Mama felt pretty lonely lately because Papa and Alexei were

busy with business-I didn't bother to ask why Papa was involving himself in the Bratva. So, Mama was busying

herself with shopping and afternoon teas with her friends. At least she was enjoying herself.

| was glad she was happy. Even though she felt lonely.

"How are you, sweetheart? You look thin." She touched the back of my hand, smiling sadly.

It was hard to lie to Mama, but | had to. The pretending and lying was harder in front of her instead of anyone

else.

"Believe me, it's intentional. I've been trying to lose a few pounds."

"Don't go too drastic on yourself. You need to eat, too."

eat, Mama. Just been busy with work."

She shook her head, "Work, work, and work. You'll get sick if you work too often."

Naughed, "Mama everyone goes to work."

"Not like you. You work too hard,"

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Chapter 12

"I know. I'll try to slow down if that makes you less worried, okay?"

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"Good." She smiled, sighing as she continued to look at me. It was the look on her face, and | knew she wasn't

going to avoid the subject any longer. Besides, she saw the ring on my finger, and it was obvious she knew about