there was a reason why you didn’t want dante to find out that your ex has been sending you gifts nonstop.

and dante’s not the type of man to let something like this go — even if this marriage is only meant to be an arranged, business relationship.

but, you’re still going to be his wife, and you’re his — he’ll be damned if he’s gonna let some pathetic ex of yours try to take you away from him.

so, of course, he’s not going to let it go.

“why is your ex-boyfriend sending you roses and love notes?”

“it’s not a love note.” you argue back with an eye roll, clearly annoyed by the insinuation.

it’s also clear that you’re annoyed with that damn pet name that he’s just so insistent on calling you.

“it damn well looks like one to me. what does he mean by change your mind, mia cara?” he questions, crossing his arms over his chest and giving you that familiar brooding look of his.

you let out a frustrated sigh, rolling your eyes again, before explaining yourself, “i told him about our engagement a few months ago. he showed up in new york and implied he’d be open to giving our relationship another shot. i declined. he left. the end.”

“obviously not the end, given this lovely bouquet he sent you.” his words come out completely sarcastic.

“it’s just flowers! they’re harmless!” you protest with clear annoyance.

“some fucker is sending you flowers, and you want to tell me it’s harmless?” he questions, practically seething.

to further prove his point, he picks up the card from the counter and rereads it out loud with clear distaste, “thought of you at midnight. hope you’re doing well. love, heath.”

“it doesn’t take a genius to know what he was doing while he was thinking of you at midnight.”