Red Card to Your Heart: You Don't Deserve My Love Extra Time novel Chapter 26

I ran into the downpour, the cold rain instantly soaking through my clothes as I searched desperately for Salvatore.

After what felt like an eternity, I found them in an alley two blocks from our villa. Carina sat huddled against a brick wall, arms wrapped around herself in practiced vulnerability. Salvatore crouched before her, sheltering her in his embrace as if she were made of glass.

"Why did you follow me?" Carina sobbed, striking his chest with weak fists. "Why come after me if you don't love me anymore?"

Her voice carried through the rain. "Don't you realize how much this hurts Isabella? Coming after me like this?"

Her tone shifted, hardening with bitterness. "Why should she get everything? She's nothing but my replacement! She took my place, she took you—she took everything!"

"I have nothing left, Salvatore. No mother, no you, no home." Her voice broke. "I've lost everything."

Salvatore allowed her tantrum, his touch gentle as he restrained her flailing hands. "Easy," he murmured. "Don't hurt yourself. I'm here now."

"Carina," he said, using her childhood nickname. "I will always be here for you. I'll never abandon you. You want a home? I'll give you one."

He brushed wet hair from her face. "Whatever Isabella has, you'll have too. I'll give you more—better things—only for you. Would that make you happy?"

I stood frozen in the rain, watching this version of Salvatore I barely recognized—tender, patient, almost fragile in his gentleness.

He suddenly seemed a thousand miles away from me, though I could have reached out and touched him.

I didn't know what to do or say to keep him with me—to prevent him from slipping away.

Carina clung to him, her arms wrapped possessively around his neck. Her gaze found mine over his shoulder, and the corners of her mouth curved upward in triumph.

"You don't really love Isabella, do you?" she asked him. "You only chose her to hurt me, didn't you?"

Salvatore remained silent. Carina pressed harder, her voice taking on a childish petulance.

"Say it! You don't love her at all. It's me you love, isn't it?"

She tugged at his soaked shirt. "Salvatore, if you don't make me happy right now, I'm leaving for good. You'll never find me again."

Salvatore sighed, his smile resigned and weary. "Yes," he conceded, his voice carrying through the rain to where I stood. "Everything you say is true."

"I love you. Is that what you want to hear? I still love you, Carina. Will you come home with me now?"

Carina pouted, her fingers tracing his jawline. "I don't believe you. Not unless..." She leaned closer. "Kiss me. Just once."

She closed her eyes, lips parted expectantly. "Salvatore, kiss me."

Something in me fractured. "Salvatore, don't!" I cried out, my composure finally breaking. "We're getting married in less than a week!"

My voice cracked with emotion I'd never allowed him to see before. "Could you spare even a fraction of the tenderness you show her for me?"

Before, he would cover my ears, tease me gently for being so fearless in every other way but this.

Now, the man who had always protected me from that sound held another woman, leaving me exposed and vulnerable.

More shots rang out in rapid succession. I crouched instinctively, clutching my head. Then I felt it—a strange numbness spreading through my abdomen, followed by searing pain.

I looked down to see crimson blooming across my white nightgown, spreading like spilled wine.

"Isabella!" Salvatore's voice cracked with panic as he lunged toward me.

He caught me as I fell, his hands pressing desperately against the bullet wound in my stomach. The rain mixed with his tears as he repeated "I'm sorry" over and over, begging me not to die.

I managed a smile, my fingers trembling as I finally pulled out the crumpled ultrasound report I'd been carrying with me all day.

"Salvatore," I whispered. "Look at our baby."

Blood seeped between his fingers as he stared at the grainy image.

"Such a pity," I murmured, my vision beginning to darken.

"We may never meet him now."