Chapter 100: Chapter 100: To Forgive Is to Live Again
Matteo didn’t show a flicker of fear. He nodded. "Alright, babe. Let’s go."
Even Adrian paused for a second, studying him.
Matteo looked completely ready. He was completely ready to face Maya.
Without another word, he followed Adrian downstairs.
As they descended the stairs, the atmosphere in the living room felt heavy. Maya sat with her arms tightly crossed over her chest, but the mont she heard their footsteps, she turned.
Her eyes locked onto Matteo imdiately. He didn’t flinch or look away, he t her gaze with quiet confidence that filled the room.
Adrian walked beside him, his hand brushing lightly against Matteo’s arm a silent show of support.
They entered the living room and sat across from Maya. She said nothing, her eyes fixed on Matteo as she studied him.
"Maya," Adrian said, breaking the silence. "This is Matteo."
Matteo inclined his head respectfully, his voice calm and composed. "It’s a pleasure to et you finally, Maya. I’ve heard a lot about you."
Maya was trembling inside, but she held her ground for her brother. "I’m sure you have," she said. "And I’m sure you’ve heard what people think of you as well."
She leaned back slightly. "So you should know exactly why I asked him to bring you here."
Matteo didn’t flinch. He straightened slightly, his posture open and steady.
"I have," he said calmly. "And I understand why you wanted to see . You love Adrian, and you’re afraid for him. If I were in your position, I’d be doing the sa."
Maya’s eyes narrowed, surprised by his lack of defensiveness. "It’s easy to say the right things, Matteo. But I know what you’re capable of. I know the reputation you carry."
"My past is a shadow I can’t erase," Matteo admitted, his tone somber and honest. "But my present is entirely dedicated to Adrian. I know I’m not the easiest person to trust, and I know I’ve made mistakes that have scarred people. But I promise you, I have never and will never... give Adrian a reason to fear ."
He glanced at Adrian, a flicker of genuine warmth softening his usually sharp features, before returning his focus to Maya.
"I’m not asking you to forget who I was," Matteo said calmly. "I’m only asking for a chance to show you who I am when I’m with him."
Maya’s eyes narrowed slightly. "And what about everyone else?" she asked. "Are you planning to be better for the rest of the world too... or just for him?"
"I’ve been trying," he said quietly. "But I won’t lie and say everything will change overnight. It takes ti... and I’m willing to put in that ti."
He held her gaze. "But one day... people will see
differently. Not as the devil they knew, but as soone better. I’m trying to be that man, for him. Because he deserves nothing less."
Maya looked from Matteo to her brother. She saw the way Adrian looked at him with trust, with hope, and with a kind of peace she hadn’t seen in a long ti. She let out a long sigh, her shoulders finally dropping from their rigid posture.
"You’re a dangerous man, Matteo," she said. "But for my brother’s sake... I’m going to hold you to that promise. If I ever see him cry because of you, if I ever see that light in his eyes dim because of your choices, I won’t care who you are or what you’ve built. I will co for you."
Matteo nodded slowly, his expression serious. "I wouldn’t expect anything less."
Maya couldn’t help but smile at the absurdity of her own threat. Matteo, however, maintained a perfectly straight face, his eyes fixed on her.
Maya chuckled, gesturing to his unmoving features. "Why aren’t you laughing? Soone like
is actually threatening you."
Matteo shook his head, feigning terror. "I wouldn’t dare laugh at you. In fact, I’m terrified. How could I ever laugh at my sister-in-law’s threat? I’m literally shaking right now."
Adrian glanced at Matteo, surprised by his boldness. Leaning closer, he whispered, "Did you just call her sister-in-law?"
Matteo only smiled, his gaze shifting back to Maya.
Maya finally broke into a genuine smile. Her expression softened, a maternal protectiveness returning to her eyes.
"Just... please take care of him. He’s a sensitive soul, and all he’s ever really needed is love, peace, and happiness."
Her gaze lingered on him. "Are you certain you can give him that?"
Matteo’s playful deanor faded, replaced by a solemn intensity.
"Since the day I t him, that has been my only goal," he said. "But I promise you, from this mont on, I’ll do even better. I will never give you a reason to regret giving us this chance."
Maya turned her gaze to Adrian. "Are you happy?"
She looked at Adrian’s reaction. For a mont, he was smiling like a man much younger than his thirty years, almost like a child again, his grin soft, unguarded, and full of happiness, like a teenager discovering love for the first ti.
"Yes, sis. I really am," Adrian said.
"Alright," Maya said, standing up. "Take care of each other. That’s all that matters to ."
She glanced at her watch. "I have a few things to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave now."
Matteo stood up with her, offering a respectful nod. "Thank you, sister-in-law."
Maya raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eye. "You aren’t even married to my brother yet. Why call
that?"
Matteo didn’t hesitate, his gaze flickering to Adrian with quiet, possessive warmth.
"Because I intend to marry him," he said calmly. "So you might as well get used to it... sister-in-law."
Maya looked at him, not as the devil from his past, but as the man he was becoming. She smiled, shaking her head. "Who would have thought you had this side of you? Regardless, I’m glad I t you in person."
" too," Matteo replied.
Adrian walked her outside to her car. They talked for a few monts, the tension of the morning finally replaced by a shared, quiet understanding. As Maya pulled away, Adrian couldn’t wait another second. He ran back into the house, his heart racing with relief and joy.
The mont he stepped through the door, he didn’t even give Matteo a chance to speak. He rushed over, climbed right into Matteo’s lap, and crushed his lips against his, kissing him with every ounce of love he possessed.
They kissed until Matteo’s cock began to harden against him, prompting Matteo to gently pull back, his breathing heavy.
Adrian wrapped his arms tightly around his neck, burying his face in the crook of his shoulder. "I love you so much," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Matteo pressed a soft kiss to Adrian’s shoulder, his hands moving gently over his back in a soothing rhythm.
"I love you more, baby."
Adrian pulled back just enough to et Matteo’s eyes, a playful spark returning to his gaze. "Take
out for a drink tonight?" he said with a smile. "I want Charles and Frank to join us. I want to celebrate this mont... to celebrate us."
Matteo nodded. "Alright, your majesty. Whatever you want is granted."
They shared another kiss, but as they pulled apart, Adrian’s expression turned serious.
"There’s sothing else I need to tell you," he said quietly. "Before Tony left yesterday, he threatened . He told
to watch my back."
"What Maya said earlier... it reminded
of him."
Matteo’s expression hardened slightly. "He won’t do anything, Adrian. You have nothing to worry about," he said. "But you need to promise , stay away from Tony. He’s not soone to be trifled with."
"I will, baby," Adrian promised. He took a steadying breath, his fingers tracing the line of Matteo’s jaw. "You asked for my sincere forgiveness back in the room, and I didn’t say anything. I need to be honest with you."
Adrian looked down for a mont, then lifted his gaze to et Matteo’s with quiet, unwavering strength."I understand it wasn’t entirely your fault," he said. "But a part of
will always bla you. Still... that won’t bring my wife and son back. Their lives were cut short, and that pain... it never really goes away."
He took a slow breath. "I should have walked away that day," he admitted softly. "But I couldn’t. Not when it ca to you... I just couldn’t."
He paused, a single tear slipping down his cheek. "But I realized... whether I forgive you or not, they’re not coming back," he said quietly. "And I don’t want to stay trapped in that pain forever."
His voice trembled slightly. "So I choose to forgive you... So I can finally move on. They’ll always be in my heart. I love them so much... I really loved my wife and my son deeply. I’ll be honest, I still do. But what I feel for you... It’s the kind of love that’s teaching
how to live again, how to let go... how to be truly happy again."
His eyes held Matteo’s. "I didn’t think I could love anyone like this again... but I do. I love you more than I ever imagined I could love soone."
Matteo listened without interrupting, his eyes reddened with guilt. For a mont, he wished he could erase the past.
But as he looked at Adrian, sothing else surfaced—hope.
Hope that, sohow, they could both move forward... and finally leave the past behind.
Matteo held his eyes. "Please, baby... forgive . Not just in words... but from your heart. For everything."
With tears in his eyes, he leaned in slightly, his lips brushing softly against Matteo’s. "I forgive you, Matteo," he murmured against his lips. "Truly... from the bottom of my heart, I forgive you."
As tears slipped freely down his face, Adrian kissed him, sealing his forgiveness with a love deep enough...
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