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‘I’ll arrange private transport,’ Cristiano said It seemed simple to him, and for some ridiculous reason he really wanted her to take the clothes with her ‘A car from the villa that will take you all the way to Rome’

Laurel gazed at hiet me out of your life quickly, I’m fine with public transport’

Cristiano stared at her, silently fu, because of course he hadn’t meant it that way But he didn’t even knohat he had meant, or how to explain So he stayed silent, and Laurel kept packing, and after a few more tense moments Cristiano turned on his heel and walked out of the room

He didn’t sleep that night, lying awake and gritty-eyed, staring at the ceiling as he went over the last teeks and kept telling himself this hat he wanted What he had to want

Because as the alternative, really? Their lives were so different Laurel wasn’t going to want to give up her job, or even that house she claiing his hotels andnew business deals This made sense This was the only way It had to be

He didn’t co down the stairs Didn’t trust hioodbye in the cool, civil way he wanted to He was being a coward, and he knew it, but the other option—of breaking down or begging her to stay—felt impossible Unbearable So he stayed still and listened as the suitcase bumped down each step and then the front door clicked softly shut

The house suddenly felt deathly silent

He buried hi not to think He didn’t sleep, and barely ate On day four he finally dragged hi in surprise on the threshold at seeing Elizabeth sitting next to hi, her head bent close to his

The inant intimacy The love was so visible between the two of them, it felt as if it shimmered in the air Cristiano could hardly credit it, yet he kneas true Laurel had been right

Elizabeth caught sight of hied a cautious smile

‘Cristiano,’ Lorenzo called, beckoning to hinarled hand ‘Come in’