Chapter 13
Cassie had barely settled into Rome, everything mill unfamiliar de After the intond hermosos weathered back home, she was completely drained the thought of immediately on Hunting for commung
Instead, she decided to give herself permission to explore and heal
kader
Her first week, she attended morning mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. The resonant Bronze bele mi te atmosphere wrapped around her like a protective cocoon. Standing hemen Vichekesho by centuries of faith and artistry, something inside her unclenched for the fire me in montic The rates of human experience made her own pain seem–not insignificant exactly, but perhaps more survale
On a whim, she joined a small guided tour of the Galleria Borghese, reputed to be one of Rome’s mos expire museums nestled within the lush greenery of the Borghese Gardens. Moving through the rate mome the fut herself transfixed by Bernini’s marble masterpieces–the technical perfection of “Apolls and dagine capturing the precise moment of transformation, fingers elongating into delicate laurel leaves. The car emotion in The Rape of Proserpina” made her pause, the marble somehow conveying both cold stone and yielding fesh
In the next gallery, Caravaggio’s dramatic use of light and shadow in “Young Bacchus and Saint Jerome Wering stopped her in her tracks. The tour guide explained how the artist had revolutionized painting with his heatcal darkness and unflinching realism.
“He painted real people,” the guide explained. “Not idealized versions–people with dirt under their fingernails and flawed, complicated lives.”
Something about this resonated deeply with Cassie. The world contained such beauty created from darkness and pain. Perhaps there was hope for her own story after all.
At the Terme di Caracalla outdoor theater, she watched a performance of “La Cenerentola“-the Italian operatic version of Cinderella. Despite knowing the story by heart, she found herself weeping quietly during the finale. The heroine had endured cruelty and rejection, yet ultimately found her own path to happiness. The parallel to her own situation wasn’t lost on her.
She spent a day hiking through Cilento National Park, breathing air that tasted different–fresher, cleaner, untainted by memories. She wandered along emerald green lakes and fed seagulls on pristine beaches, relearning simple pleasures she’d forgotten existed.
One morning, she rose before dawn to join a whale watching expedition departing from Genoa harbor. Just as the sun crested the horizon, an enormous blue whale breached directly before their boat. Its massive tail created a cascade of crystalline water droplets that caught the golden light like suspended diamonds. The cold spray landed on Cassie’s upturned face, shocking against her skin.
In that salt–tinged moment, clarity washed over her with the same force as the sea spray. The word was vast beyond imagining, filled with wonders she’d never experienced because she’d made herself so small, orbiting Callum Reid like a satellite trapped in a decaying path. She’d nearly lost herself completely in the gravitational pull of his lies.
“I’ve been sleep–walking,” she whispered to herself, tasting salt on her lips. “For years.”
10:14
Addio To The Stand In Past, This Time I Chose To Reclaim My Own Life
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Chapter 13
In that moment, Cassie finally, truly released the one–sided love that had begun with deception. The relief felt physical–tension draining from muscles she hadn’t realized were perpetually clenched.
A few days later, Cassie’s path crossed with Martina on a canal tour boat. Their eyes met across the deck, they exchanged casual comments about the architecture, and somehow found themselves still talking hours later.
Over lunch at a sun–drenched café, Martina noticed Cassie’s thoughtful comments about the wine selection.
“You have quite the educated palate,” she observed, swirling her glass. “Most people wouldn’t catch those undertones of cherry and tobacco. Where did you study?”
When Cassie mentioned her degree in viticulture and enology–a passion she’d buried during her
marriage–Martina’s eyes lit up. She revealed she managed her family’s vineyard just outside Rome and impulsively offered Cassie a position.
“We need someone with fresh perspective,” she explained, leaning forward enthusiastically. “Someone who understands both American and European markets. Plus, your technical knowledge is obviously solid.”
Cassie hesitated. Though she’d once been passionate about winemaking, she hadn’t worked professionally since graduation. Years of Callum subtly undermining her confidence had left deeper scars than she’d realized.
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “It’s been years since I’ve actually worked in the field. I’m probably rusty at best.”
Martina saw through her uncertainty immediately. “Listen to yourself right now–you just identified three distinct notes in a fairly complex blend most sommeliers would struggle with. Your instincts are sharper than half the professionals I know.”
She reached across and briefly squeezed Cassie’s hand. “Don’t overthink it. I’ll help you find your footing. Trust yourself–I already do.”
Looking at Martina’s encouraging smile–so different from Callum’s condescending patience–Cassie felt a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the afternoon sun or the wine. This wasn’t pity or manipulation–just genuine recognition from one professional to another.
She accepted the offer with newfound determination, realizing she’d just taken the first concrete step toward building her new life.
Om Lifo
