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He visited the bathroo his clothes to the floor He showered quickly, knowing that she’d smell the smoke on his skin

Naked and with damp hair, he slid between the sheets He didn’t touch her A quick gli a nightgown and curled on her side, facing away froe received, sweetheart

As he settled into bed he thought, perhaps, that he heard afrom her direction

“I’m sorry,” he whispered

When she didn’t respond, he switched off the light and turned his back to her

It only took ahim froo to bed angry anyry, Gabriel, I’rasp her wrist and pulled her arht about Maria I just wanted to do so

“I don’t think you’re a bitch I’d never think of you that way You’re my beloved”

“Then I need you to be kind to me I have to tell you, Gabriel, this past little while has been really difficult I don’t want our htened

“I’ll find a way to make it up to you I promise”

“I don’t want you to ”

“I will I promise”

“Tell me now” Her tone was harsh

“Please, Julianne,” he whispered “I’ive me a little more time”

“So you can come to so without talking to you first But haven’t you ever been worried about soure out how to deal with it? You can’t exactlyyou, Julianne, to have a little co insincere in theive you a little more time But I want you to call Dr Townsend”

Gabriel opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted

“I won’t accept your refusal Either tellyou, or tell him But for both our sakes, Gabriel, tell someone”

With a deep exhalation, he nodded

Gabriel ake before sunrise and quit the suite before Julianne awoke Though it pained him to leave the warathered the information he needed, the closer he would be to a solution

(Or so he hoped)

That afternoon, he had an i scheduled with his old friend, Dottore Vitali, the director of the Uffizi Gallery Now Gabriel was more determined than ever to show his wife how much he loved her And to do so publicly

As he exited the hotel, he reflected on the fact that he preferred Florence in the —the quiet of the streets before the city shook off its slumber

He stopped at the café at the Gucci Museuht an espresso and a sweet roll He enjoyed his breakfast outside, along with his newspaper, La Nazione, biding his tie