Chapter 159 THE HUSBAND.
\~~~TALIA
Gabriel ascended the stairs without another word, his shoulders tense. We reached a heavy oak door at the end of the hallway, and he stopped, gesturing vaguely.
I snatched the bag from him fully, pushed the door open, and stepped inside without so much as a thank you. The door clicked shut behind me, and I finally breathed out, long and slow. The room was massive, a king's suite disguised as a bedroom. Soft lighting from lamps on nightstands bathed the space in warm gold. A king-sized bed dominated one wall, draped in silk sheets and pillows that looked like clouds. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the gardens, and a sitting area with plush chairs invited lazy evenings. It was all so... Raina. Soft edges, feminine touches, nothing like the sharp, bold style I'd have chosen.
My eyes fell on the huge wedding portrait hung at the center of the wall above the bed. I hissed under my breath, a sharp sound of disgust.
There they were, Raina in a flowing white gown, Luciano in his tux, looking stiff, but handsome still.
But that wasn't me in the dress. That was my sister, the thief, beaming at my husband. My fists clenched. I'd have that replaced later. Maybe burn it and place a new photo, with the real Talia Moretti at his side.
I pulled out the phone again and dialed Marco's number, keeping my voice low.
“I’m in. Everything is clear so far. Keep an eye on Raina. No slips.” He grunted an acknowledgment, his voice rough as always, and I hung up.
Tossing the bag on the bed, I headed to the bathroom. It was a spa in disguise. There were marble counters, a rain shower that could drown a room, and a vanity stocked with creams and perfumes that smelled feminine, floral, subtle, and innocent. I freshened up quickly, splashing cool water on my face to wash away the day's grime.
Staring at my reflection, I practiced a smile. Soft, and welcoming, just like she'd do. But inside, I was steel.
Slipping out, I rummaged through the closet. Rows of dresses hung perfectly, all in her style elegant, and modest, with a touch of power. I picked a simple blue sheath that hugged my curves without screaming for attention. It felt wrong, like wearing someone else's skin, but it fit perfectly. Our bodies were mirrors, after all. I smoothed it down, added a necklace from the jewelry box, diamonds that sparkled like stars and headed downstairs.
The grand staircase curved down to the living area, where the housekeeper, an older woman with graying hair tied in a bun and an apron over her uniform, bustled about. She spotted me and bowed slightly, her face lighting up with a warm smile.
“Good evening, ma'am.”
I beckoned her over with a crook of my finger, keeping my expression neutral.
“I am famished. What do we have?”
She straightened, wiping her hands on her apron. “Food isn't ready yet, ma'am. Dinner's at seven, but if you are so hungry, I can make you pasta quickly. It won't take long.”
“Pasta? For me?’' I echoed, my voice edged with surprise I couldn't quite hide.
“Yes, madam. It is your favorite. With the basil sauce, just how you like it.”
My lips twitched upward involuntarily, and I swallowed hard to push down the reaction.
Damn it. Raina had managed to imprint herself all over this fucking house. The staff knew her quirks, her cravings, her little comforts. It was like she'd woven her soul into the walls, the routines, and everything.
I nodded stiffly. “Pasta it is, then.”
I turned on my heel and headed back upstairs, my mind racing. I'd correct all of this later. New favorites, new rules. No more pasta for 'me.'
Maybe steak, rare and bloody, to match the fire inside of me..
As I reached the bedroom door, the phone peeped in my hand, a soft vibration that made me pause. I opened it, and there it was. A message from Luciano.
“Guess what? I'm on my way home. I didn't realize sooner that I wouldn't be able to spend the night without you. So, expect me, sunshine.”
My eyes rolled to the back of my head, and I hissed in anger, low and venomous. Sunshine? What the hell was that?
For a moment, I wasn’t even sure what angered me more.
The fact that he was suddenly coming home.
Or the stupid words he had used.
It was all for her, for Raina, the pretender who'd sunk her claws into my life. Was I angry because he was suddenly returning, or throwing off my plans to explore alone? Or because of those sickening words, proof of how deep she'd burrowed into his heart?
Probably both.
Raina, Raina, Raina!
That bitch had ruined everything, twisting my marriage into her fairy tale. I was supposed to be married to Luciano out of alliance, but she'd turned it into love. Real, messy love that I now had to fake.
I paced the room, the dress swishing around my legs. The portrait mocked me from the wall, their faces a slap.
How long had they been like this?
The thought of them so in love made bile rise in my throat.
But I couldn't let it show.
When he walked through that door, I would smile, pull him close, and whisper the right things.
I know Raina enough to mimic her affection. A hug here, a kiss there. It would buy me time to unravel her lies, expose the Morettis' secrets, and claim what is mine.
The clock ticked toward his arrival. I stood, fixed my hair in the mirror, practiced that soft smile again.
Step two: fool the husband.
My pulse quickened not with fear, but anticipation. This house, this life, it was all coming back to me.
And Raina? She would watch from the shadows, just like I'd done to her.
The game had flipped, and I was playing to win.