Chapter 45 Detachment

After breakfast, Mia stood beside the floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the view. The warm sun rose high in the sky, casting a bright light over the snow-covered landscape. The snow sparkled as the sunlight fell on it, creating a mesmerizing scene. The roads were cleared, allowing traffic to move easily. "Mia!" Alessandro's deep, manly voice broke her reverie, and she turned to find him standing at the door. "Let's go, he said coldly. Mia looked around to check once more if anything was left behind. The luggage had already. been taken by the bellboy and carried to the car. Only the remnants of their passionate. nights were left in the room, the bedsheets still bearing witness to how they had been entangled in each other's arms. But the man who had been so passionate and alluring last night seemed a world away from the indifferent and cold business tycoon who stood before her now. After checking out of the hotel, they stepped outside and climbed into the car. The entire ride was silent. Alessandro appeared engrossed in driving, not even attempting to initiate at conversation. Mia stared out of the window, her mind racing. Had he slept with her on impulse, driven by the cold weather and fever? Was he now regretting their night together, and that was why he didn't want to talk? The silence between them was suffocating, each moment dragging out her self-recrimination and confusion. She stole a glance at Alessandro, his chiseled jaw set in determination as he drove. The man who had made her feel so desired and cherished mere hours ago now seemed like a stranger. Lost in thought, Mia didn't realize how the time had passed until Alessandro pulled up in front of her apartment building. He got out of the car, rounded the bumper, and came to the passenger seat to open the door for Mia. She slid out of the car, and Alessandro took her luggage from the trunk. He gestured for a guard to help her with the luggage to the elevator. Without waiting for her to go, he returned to the driver's seat. Mia felt a pang of disappointment as she walked away. No, it was more than that she was deeply upset by Alessandro turning cold with her again. Yet, she reminded herself it might be in his nature; he was never one to get attached to a woman for long. His numerous affairs were proof of that. It amazed her to think it was a miracle the Italian Don stayed with her for three years in their marriage. However, the thought brought relief. It was good he didn't recognize her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have hesitated to make her life a living hell again. She had no desire to return to that toxic relationship. With a newfound sense of determination and relief, she turned her back and headed to the elevator. As she walked, she missed the moment when Alessandro turned back and glanced at her until got into the elevator. Then he opened the car door and slid inside just as Mia turned and she pressedabe button to her floot. She caught a glimpse of Alessandro's car leaving as the elevator doors shid closed. Both of them went their separate ways, different thoughts. beriving theis minde The elevator stopped at Mia's apartment floor, and she opened the door of her flat to find her children and Emily waiting to welcome her with bright smiles. Instantly, the gloomy thoughts and problems vanished as she took in their joyful faces. Mia knelt down, hugging her kids tightly, their innocent chatter washing over her like a soothing balm. Gia and Maximo began filling het in with their stories from the previous day, their excitement bubbling ever. She found herself laughing at their tales, feeling the weight of the morning's events lifting. Mateo entered the room and flipped the switch, flooding the dark room with light. Suddenly, the mafia king's voice rang out, cursing loudly. "Get the fuck lost!" Matteo sighed as his eyes caught the gloomy figure of the Italian don. The formidable and invincible Alessandro Valentino looked so sad, an amber liquid swirling in the glass in his hand, his imposing form slumped defeatedly in a reclined chair. "Alessandro" Where were you? You ditched your bodyguards and didn't tell anyone about your whereabouts. We were all so worried," Matteo voiced his concern, his tone edged with frustration. "Why the hell were you worried? I'm not twelve, and I can take care of myself," Alessandro retorted, draining the entire glass in one go. "Come on, Alessandro. Can't you just be normal for once and tell me what happened this time?" Matteo exhaled in defeat, his shoulders sagging. "Nothing happened. Now leave and turn off the light," Alessandro said, picking up the bottle. and drinking scotch directly from it. "Nothing happened, huh?" Matteo challenged. "Then why are you drowning yourself in alcohol?" "What I do is none of your business," the mafia king replied, detachment lacing his voice. Matteo, now very annoyed and tired of his best friend's tantrums, pressed on. "Why are you doing this? You know because of you, I can't concentrate on work. I can't even focus on my own life, dammit! The whole time, I'm only thinking about you, worrying that you won't kill yourself," Matteo scolded the Italian don, receiving a death glare in return. Then why don't you leave me, just like everyone else?" Alessandro responded coldly before getting up, opening the balcony door, and stepping outside.. Something fell to the floor, catching Matteo's attention. He stepped forward and picked it up, confused to see it was a photo of Mia Peterson's twins-the same photo he had shown. Alessandro during his investigation. Why was Alessandro holding that photo and drinking so much? The question made Matteo think of only one possibility, the same one he had from the day he saw the photo of the kids who looked so similar to the mafia king.