Chapter 109 WORK AGAIN.
\~~~RAINA.
I felt a hand shaking me gently, and my eyes flew open instantly.
For a split second, my heart leapt as I waited to see Luciano’s face hovering over me. I even inhaled sharply, as though my body had already decided it was him before my mind could catch up.
But it wasn’t.
It was Alessia.
Reality hit me all at once, I wasn’t in my bedroom. I wasn’t in Luciano’s house. I was in Alessia’s guest room.
Her place, not his.
My chest tightened, and my eyes watered immediately, the sting sharp and sudden. I blinked fast, swallowing hard, refusing to let the tears fall. I would not cry again. Not over this and definitely not this morning.
“Raina,” Alessia called softly.
I pushed myself up gently, forcing a small, controlled breath, then covered my mouth as I yawned, pretending sleepiness was the reason my eyes looked glassy.
For a moment, everything felt normal. Then it hit me. Alissia was fully dressed in a crisp blouse, slacks, and her hair pulled back neatly. Work.
The word echoed in my head. I glanced down at my pajamas, the ones I'd thrown on last night after everything crashed down. Panic bubbled up as I realized I hadn't even showered, let alone picked an outfit. How could I go to the office like this?
But then the weight of it all settled in.
The divorce. The fight with my parents. Leaving the house I'd shared with Luciano. I wasn't just late for work, my whole life had flipped upside down. I breathed out slowly, letting the air escape in a shaky sigh. No need to rush. Not anymore.
I breathed out slowly, the tension easing from my shoulders.
“You’re ready for work,” I said quietly, my voice came out flat, like I was stating a fact from someone else's life.
She nodded. “Yes. And do you feel sick? I think you might want to resume work today too.”
“Me?” My brows shot up. I stared at her, not sure if I'd heard right.
Resume work? After everything?
She looked at me like the question surprised her. “Of course, you,”
“No, no, no,” I shook my head, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “I can't... I... I'm no longer…”
Alissia's expression didn't change. She waited, giving me space to finish. But the words stuck in my throat.
No longer what?
Married?
Part of their world? I stood up, pacing a few steps in the
room. It was cozy, with soft blankets and a window overlooking the garden, but right now it felt too small, like the walls were closing in.
“You may no longer be married to my brother,” she said gently like she could see through me, “But you're still the COO of the company. You're needed.”
Her words landed like a punch.
COO.
The title that had once felt like a costume, something borrowed from Talia's life now suddenly felt like mine. “No, Alissia, no,” I waved my hands at her, as if I could push the idea away.
“I can't. I got the job through him. It is only best if I stop working there too.”
She tilted her head, watching me quietly as I spoke, her expression unreadable.
“He got the job for Talia, not me,” I continued, my voice shaking. “And besides, we are divorced. I can’t keep working there. I will get another job somewhere else. I will figure something out.”
“Will you keep doing this to yourself?” she asked gently.
“What?” I whispered.
“Punishing yourself,” she clarified. “Is that what you plan to do now?”
“It is not punishment,” I said quickly, though I wasn’t sure I believed myself. “It is just… the right thing.”
“You think the right thing is to walk away from something you worked hard for?” she asked.
“I didn’t work for it,” I argued. “Luciano…”
“He opened the door,” Alessia corrected. “You walked through it yourself.”
“I am your direct superior,” she continued firmly, “and I am telling you to resume work.”
My throat tightened. I swallowed hard, feeling the lump form. Before I went to sleep last night, I lay there in the dark, staring at the ceiling.
The decision had seemed clear then.
To quit, and to start fresh with no more ties to the Morettis, no more reminders of Luciano or the life I'd faked. But now, with Alissia here, pushing me, it didn't feel so simple.
I had no idea how much I'd come to love that job. What I'd thought was just suitable for Talia… Sitting in meetings, reviewing reports, and leading teams had become part of me. The office buzz, the way ideas sparked during strategy sessions. I loved presenting plans, seeing them turn into action. Executing projects that made a difference in the company. It wasn't just work, it was power, and purpose.
I used to think it was depressing. Back when I was only Raina who lived with her parents, painting was my only escape. Canvases covered in bold strokes, colors that said what I couldn't.
I'd believed that was the only thing that could make me happy, creating art in silence, away from the world.
Corporate life? It sounded cold, and soulless. But somewhere along the way, it changed.
The thrill of closing a deal, the satisfaction of solving a problem. Now, the thought of leaving it behind left a hollow ache in my chest.
“Alissia, I... I can't…” My voice broke, cracking on the last word. Tears pricked at my eyes, but I blinked them back.
She stepped closer, her tone softening but still direct. “Is it because you think the job belongs to Talia, or because you don't deserve it?'
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
“I have worked with you for over three months,” she continued, her voice steady. “And I can confidently say you are the most capable person for that role.”
I looked at her in disbelief.
“You think I’m lenient on you because you were my brother’s wife?” she asked. “No. For someone new to the corporate world, you handled everything excellently. You learned fast. You adapted. You led. You’re made for this.”
Tears welled in my eyes.
Her praise washed over me, warm and unexpected. I remembered those moments and the rush of adrenaline in boardrooms. I'd surprised myself, thriving where I once feared I'd drown. But doubt crept in. What if they saw through me? What if, without Luciano's name attached, I was just Raina Monroe, the girl from a broken home?
Alissia placed a hand on my arm, squeezing lightly. “I will leave you today to think about it. You're resuming work tomorrow, Ms. Raina. The organization needs its COO.”
My eyes watered at that. Ms. Raina.
Not Mrs. Moretti, not Talia. Just me. I sniffed quickly, wiping at my nose with the back of my hand.
She was right, the company did need me. Or at least, I needed it. The structure, the challenge. Without it, what was left? More painting in isolation? Scraping by in some entry-level job that dulled my spark?
Before I could respond, Alissia reached into her purse and pulled out a sleek black card. She placed it on the dresser in front of me.
“When you’re done thinking,” she said, “go do a little shopping. Get yourself the brightest outfits you can find.”
“What?” I gasped. “No, no! I can’t accept that.”
She smiled and winked, a playful glint in her eyes. “Let’s call it an investment in the company.”
Before I could argue further, she turned and walked out of the room.
I stood there, stunned, staring down at the card in my hand.
For a long moment, I didn’t move.
Then I sank back onto the bed and pressed the card to my chest.
I breathed out slowly.
Oh.
I wanted to work again.