A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 19 Alena

"Hi, big sis." Ana, my sister called out. She was making her way towards me with a small smile plastered on her face and the instant I saw her, I was happy.

It had been months since I last saw her; it was at the charity event. The night that changed everything in my life. We could've spent time in better circumstances, but I couldn't think of anything but myself in that moment.

She

I also didn't want to trouble or worry her.

had assignments and busy projects at her university. So, she needed all the focus she could get to ace. "Ana, I didn't expect to see you here."

We were standing in the middle of a grocery store.

I just got off from work after I finished my shift and I thought I could use a walk around the grocery store, picking out anything. I had been filling the fridge ever since I lived alone, and it ended up becoming a habit even when I was no longer alone. Matteo left me with his metal credit card and told me I could use it whenever I wanted.

C

Well, I did take it because I didn't want to start an argument about why I was us my own money for grocery shopping-I didn't use his card at all. He never said anything, maybe he didn't check the bills but until he found out about it, I was going to keep using my money. His card was unlimited. I knew that.

It didn't feel right to use it when we were just living together.

Ana, my sister, pulled me in for a hug. "I heard about what happened with Papa last week. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you,"

Mama must've told her. She was good at keeping secrets but not so good at keeping it away from her daughters-she was bound to tell Ana, anyway. She was home most of the time if she wasn't back in campus.

Well,

She was

s the youngest, so she got special treatments, too.

would've been a family drama if you were there,"

She scoffed, "I ffed, "I bet. Are you done shopping? Should we head to get coffee or something to drink? We can talk more."

"Sure, let me just pay for these."

Once we were out of the grocery store, we made our way to the nearest café. We took seats near the window to enjoy the view as we both ordered an iced latté.

"So, how is the married life treating you?" She asked, smiling.

"I know you're upset I didn't tell you."

"I was upset but I totally understand, Alena. Love makes you do crazy things such as flying away to Sicily and elope."

"Ha, ha, ha, very funny. Since when you became sarcastic?" I tried to pinch her arm, just like how I used to do when she was little-it wasn't to pinch until it was painful but only to tease her

Alexei used to do that, too. He tinkled her until she peed her

pants.

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Chapter 19

make you laugh. But seriously, Mama said nice things about your husband. So, I assume my brother-in-law is a good

man. I couldn't deny

and my screams of his name. He loved calling me his whenever I was reaching my o***sm-I couldn't help but wonder if we were only like that because of the sex. He did treat me well other than sex.

Matteo was a very

lot

treats me well. I'm

"I can see it all over your

to make me relax. So, even though I was stressed out with work and family related things, I

seemed to cook me breakfast now.

heard you have

must've

he did. You're so

I want to

to

"Like what happened between

you

and Papa."

he was sorry, and we could move on like it never happened. At the end of the day, I was already married, even though it wasn't with the man he wanted. I wanted him back in my life. We drifted apart when I went to medical school but at least we weren't fighting. At least he didn't lose his patience and tried to hit me. I knew Papa, he was never

violent and ruthless in the Bratva but with his family he

you know about Viktor?"

I would've warned you if I did. Papa and Alexei never said anything about the Bratva with me." She sighed, leaning back on her seat. "Alexei isn't like how he used to be, either. He seems tired whenever he gets home, and he keeps shutting people out but he's an adult. He can

I try to not go home as much

you lose a few things.

too much. But about Papa, I know he didn't mean to hurt you. Mama said Matteo made

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Chapter 19

time to stop him."

nodded, "Lucky he

55%

55%

things got bad. I didn't ask him if he listened, and I didn't mind either. I was more than glad he was there-he prevented the worst thing from

happy when she talked about him because I could see her eyes sparkled. Well, she even tried

but I started to feel weird talking

cheeks were heating up whenever I mentioned his

we decided to go home. I arrived and parked my car in the garage, seeing that Matteo's car was already here he must've gotten home earlier.

to sleep in my bed. So, I was no longer sleeping alone. Every night, we started off cuddling until I began to push him away in my sleep.

couldn't help myself when it came

As I

house, I didn't expect it to

but I stopped in

I called out, walking into