Chapter 103 PETITIONER.
\~~~LUCIANO.
I stared at the phone in my hand for a long moment before hitting the call button. Alessia's number was one of the few I kept on the speed dial. Not because we talked often, but because she was family and the only one left who mattered. The line rang twice, and then her voice came through, warm but cautious.
"Luciano? What's up?"
"I need to talk to you," I said, keeping my tone even. My voice sounded rougher than I intended. It was like gravel was in my throat.
There was a pause on her end. I could picture her in her living room, maybe with a book or a cup of tea, always so composed. "Do you want to meet up, or is this an over the phone thing?"
"Let’s meet up." The words came out firm. I didn't want this conversation through a screen or speaker. It needed to be face-to-face, so I could see her reactions and gauge whether she was judging me.
I heard a rustle on the line, like she was shifting or standing up, maybe she was getting to her feet. "I can come to you if it is urgent."
"No," I cut in quickly. "I will come over. I need the fresh air anyway."
The next hour passed in a blur and Alessia's compound came into view sooner than I expected. The gates swung open as I approached like she must have been watching for me.
I parked in the driveway, the gravel crunching under the tires, and got out. I straightened my jacket and walked to the front door.
It opened before I could even knock and Alessia stood there, her dark hair tied back, wearing a simple sweater and jeans.
"Brother," she said softly, pulling me into a quick hug. She stepped aside to let me in. The house smelled like coffee and citrus, warm and calm. Too calm for the storm sitting in my chest, by the way.
“Do you need anything?” she asked. “Water? Tea?”
“No,” I said immediately. “I’m fine.”
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the tension in my scalp, and settled onto the couch. The cushions sank under my weight, too soft for my liking. I leaned forward, my elbows on my knees, and then let it out. "She asked for a divorce. Fuck."
Silence stretched across the room. Alessia had paused in the doorway, her hand still on the frame. I knew this had just hit her hard.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she slowly lowered herself into the armchair across from me. It was the first time I'd ever opened up like this to her.
Not once, not even after our Father's death.
Back then, I'd buried the grief and acted like the world hadn't cracked open. I had gone on as if everything was fine, and was building walls higher than before.
That was me uninterested, and detached. Or so I told myself.
"G... god, Luciano," she finally breathed out, her voice barely above a whisper. She sat down fully, folding her hands in her lap.
I met her gaze, the words spilling before I could stop them. "Raina... She pulled a knife on herself and said that if I don't agree to the divorce, she will kill herself right there and right in front of me. I walked out, but... shit, Alessia. She was serious."
Her face paled, and she leaned forward. "A knife? Luciano, what happened? Did you call someone? Is she okay?"
"She's locked in the room now. Safe. But her eyes... They were empty. Like she's done fighting." I rubbed my face, the stubble rough under my palm. The image burned with Raina's shaky hands, and the blood that trickled down her skin. I'd corrected her on the artery spot and turned away like it was nothing.
But inside, it had gutted me.
Alessia nodded slowly, processing. The room felt heavier, and the air thick with unspoken history.
Our family didn't do vulnerability. We did power, revenge, and silence. But here I was, cracking open.
"What do you want to do?" she asked finally, her voice steady but gentle.
I laughed, but it came out bitter, hollow. "Is that even an option? I am never divorcing her. Why would I? She's mine. We built this through all the lies, and the pretending. I won't let her walk away just because she's scared or tired. I don't even care."
Alessia's eyes stayed on me longer than usual, searching. That look, which meant she'd seen too much, was on her face, and I sighed, hissing through my teeth. "What do you wanna hear, Alessia? That I am losing it? Fine, I am."
She didn't flinch. Instead, she sat up straighter, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "You love her."
"W... what?" A dark chuckle escaped me, low and disbelieving.
Love? In our world? It was a weakness, and a chain.
But Alessia didn't back down. She ignored my scoff, her smile growing. "You love her! Jesus, I never thought a day like this would come. Luciano Moretti, in love."
"Love? That is bullshit, Alessia." I stood up, pacing to the window, staring out at the dark garden. "She is my wife. I introduced her as my Donna. My pakhanessa. That is duty, not some fairy-tale crap. What are you saying?"
She shook her head, unfazed. "You and I know damn well that shit like that doesn't bother you. It never would. Even if you divorced her, the empire wouldn't crumble. So, do you love her? Really?"
I stopped pacing, turning back to her. My chest tightened. "I... I don't... love? That's... are you kidding me, Alessia?"
"Do you love her, Luciano?" Her voice was firm now, cutting through my deflection.
"Alessia, I am not the type to love or do thin…"
"Shut up, Rafael!" she snapped, her eyes blazing. "Do. You. Love. Her?!"
"No!" The word exploded out of me, sharp and defensive.
But even as I said it, doubt twisted in my gut.
"Fine." She smiled again, leaning forward to pick a piece of berry from the fruit bowl on the table.
She popped it into her mouth, chewing slowly. "And do you see how easy that is, brother?" She swallowed, tilting her head. "Let her go, Luciano."
"W... what?" My voice dropped, the room spinning a little.
"If you love her, which I know you do, let her go." Her tone softened, pleading now.
"Let that kid find her way again, brother. Either to you or not, let her find herself again. Please. I have never seen Raina that depressed since I've known her. She's breaking, Luciano. Pretending to be Talia for months... it has eaten her up."
I sank back onto the couch, the fight draining out of me. "Alessia..."
"In fact, she might actually kill herself, as she's said. I'm not joking. That threat? It is real."
"Alessia!" I growled, but there was no heat in it. Just… fear.
"Please, honor her request. Prepare the divorce papers." She reached across, squeezing my hand. Her touch was warm, grounding. "For once, think about someone besides the empire. Think about her. About you."
I pulled away, standing again. The words hung in the air, heavy as chains.
Love.
Divorce.
Letting go.
Everything I'd built, my control, and my world were cracking under the weight.
Raina's face haunted me and all I could think was…
Had I pushed her too far?
But I looked at Alessia again and her usual calm was gone.
Her eyes were full of worry and it was not for me but for her.
And that was when doubt finally crept in, slow and poisonous.
What if I was wrong?
What if holding on was destroying her?
My jaw tightened. I hated this. Fuck, I hated how powerless I felt. I hated that for the first time in my life, control was slipping through my fingers and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
Slowly, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.
“Mr. Moretti,” My Lawyer’s voice came up.
“Prepare for the dissolution of marriage,” I said calmly.
“Petitioner, me. Respondent… Raina Monroe. I need it drafted, finalized, and delivered to my house before noon tomorrow.”
Then, I ended the call.