We returned to the penthouse.
Franco offered to cook dinner to make up for his absence.
He left his phone on the marble kitchen island.
The caller ID was still the Port Authority Contact.
I always knew Franco's passcode.
I unlocked the screen.
A stream of messages flooded in.
"Franco, I miss you so much. Are you coming over tonight."
"You were so rough last night. My back still hurts. I cannot even get out of bed."
A photo of her wearing sheer black lace lingerie followed.
I did not read the rest.
It was completely meaningless now.
I would never turn back once the thought of leaving took root in my mind.
His phone buzzed again.
I kindly handed it to him.
"Here. Your phone has been ringing for a while."
The corners of his mouth twitched upward as he answered.
I knew I was not going to eat this apology dinner tonight.
Franco hugged me gently.
His guilt was palpable.
"Siena, I am so sorry. An emergency came up at the warehouse. I have to head over there right now. I might have to stay at the club tonight."
"Okay. Go ahead."
I maintained a perfectly polite smile.
Franco grabbed his leather jacket and rushed toward the door.
I received a text from an unknown number at midnight.
It was a picture.
The photo only showed the side of Franco's face.
The woman only showed off a pair of long, bare legs.
I did not need to guess.
I had zero interest in knowing who this woman was.
The picture from last night made the underground tabloids the next morning.
[Moretti Underboss Franco Caught Cheating!]
[Franco's Chaotic Private Life Exposed!]
I looked at the headlines dominating the screen.
My heart felt absolutely nothing.
Don Moretti called me personally.
He told me not to throw a fit.
I gave him a few vague answers and ended the call.
Franco finally walked through the door a week later.
He brought the same pastrami sandwich.
I suddenly found it hilarious.
"Franco, I am about to throw up from eating this exact same sandwich for seven years. It makes me sick just looking at it."
"What."
He froze in place.
He never expected me to say something like that.
He thought I would spin around in circles with joy based on his understanding of me.
He thought I should be grateful.
A person truly lost all their light when they stopped loving.
Franco was wearing a custom navy suit today.
I used to think he looked bright and handsome.
Now he just looked horribly average.
People were right.
My love was the gold plating that made him shine.
He only glowed because I loved him.
