Page 214 of Claimed At First Sight

Why can’t I come up with better insults?

I blame him. Actually, I blame him for everything wrong in the world.

World hunger? Maximo’s fault. With all his wealth, he could provide seeds, farming machinery, or enough food to fill thousands of food banks.

Climate change? Also his fault. I’ve seen the size of his private jet, and I doubt he flies economy when he travels without it.

The fact that chocolate makes women gain weight? Definitely Maximo’s fault. He could hire scientists to remove the calories without ruining the taste.

God, I could go on and on. And I could really do with some chocolate right about now.

I hear car doors closing and engines starting up. Good, Maximo and his little convoy are leaving. Good riddance.

With an aggravated sigh, I cross the room and throw myself onto the bed.

In the space of a few minutes, my entire future has shifted.

I rub both hands over my face just as a knock sounds at my door.

“Mia?” Mamma calls from the hallway.

I close my eyes, drawing in a slow breath before I answer.

“Come in.”

The door opens and Mamma slips in, but instead of speaking, she stands there studying me, worry clouding her eyes.

“I’m very happy for you,” I say before she even has the chance to open her mouth.

Her brows lift. “You are?”

“I mean it.” I manage a small smile as she crosses the room. “Aldo makes you happy. Anyone can see that.”

Her expression softens as she sits beside me on the bed. “He does.”

“And you deserve it.” My gaze drops to my hands. “I’m sorry I ran off. It wasn’t the engagement that upset me.”

She reaches for my hand and folds it between both of hers.

“This is about Maximo, isn’t it?”

Frustration surges through me all over again.

“I don’t want to talk about him.”

“Fair enough.” Mamma falls silent, but the tension around her eyes doesn’t ease. “Just tell me one thing. When you stayed at his penthouse last night, was he…” She hesitates, searching for a way to ask whatever is troubling her. “…respectful toward you?”

What does she think happened between us?

Oh no. Can she tell we kissed? Are my lips still swollen?

I resist the urge to cover my mouth. That would definitely give it away.

“Well, he didn’t try to push me into anything physical, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Quite the opposite. I was the one who wanted him to touch me, but I won’t tell Mamma that.

“He did, however, more or less ask me to marry him. For the record, I rejected the proposal.” I lift one shoulder. “But if you’re asking whether he respected me enough to be honest with me, then no.”