Chapter 110 THE VILLAIN.
\~~~LUCIANO.
The car slowed to a stop in front of the Monroe mansion, and for a moment, I didn’t move.
I breathed out slowly, my chest rising and falling as I braced myself. The house stood there, tall and familiar, yet it felt foreign like a place that had swallowed too many lies and was still hungry for more.
I wasn't really ready to see Raina. The thought of facing her after everything made my stomach twist. But at the same time, part of me craved just a glimpse of her. To see if she looked as broken as I felt, or if she'd already moved on.
That wasn't why I was here, though.
No, my main purpose was the couple inside. Arthur and his wife. It was time they faced me and to unravel the lies they'd spun for months.
I pushed open the car door and stepped out, the gravel crunching under my shoes. Viktor followed close behind, his presence a silent shadow. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers from the garden. I straightened my jacket, squared my shoulders, and headed up the stone steps to the front door.
The heavy oak door swung open before I could knock. A maid stood there, her eyes widening in surprise.
She must have seen the car pull up. “Mr. Moretti,” she said softly, stepping aside. “Please, come in.”
I nodded curtly and entered the foyer. Viktor closed the door behind us with a quiet click, his hand never far from his side.
Voices drifted from the living room ahead. I followed the sound, my footsteps echoing. Arthur and his wife were in the middle of a conversation, lounging on the plush sofa while some mindless show played on the large television. The screen flickered with bright colors, but they didn't notice us at first. Then Arthur glanced up, and his face drained of color.
He sprang to his feet, nearly knocking over a side table. His wife followed, fumbling with the remote to mute the TV.
“M... Mr. Moretti,' Arthur stammered, clearing his throat. He smoothed his shirt, but his hands trembled.
I looked around the room sharply, taking in the lavish decor, the crystal vases, the antique rugs, then I cleared my throat, and fixed my gaze back on him. His eyes darted away, unable to hold mine.
I entered the room fully, my presence filling the space. Without a word, I settled into the single armchair across from them, crossing my legs. Viktor positioned himself by the doorway, his arms folded, and watching everything.
Arthur hovered awkwardly. “We didn't know you were coming. Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?”
“Let's not play games anymore, Arthur,” I said, my voice low and edged with steel. “I am not in the mood for that right now.”
He blinked, confusion mixing with fear. “W... what are you saying?”
I leaned forward slightly, my eyes locking onto his. “I know everything already. Where is Talia?”
The room went dead silent. Arthur's face crumpled. Suddenly, he dropped to his knees in front of me, shaking his head vigorously.
“Mr. Moretti, I swear on my life, I knew nothing about the swap! Nothing! It was all her doing. Raina, she came home a couple of days ago, and that was when I found out the truth. She is the one who took Talia's place. My daughter is missing because of her!”
I raised a brow, staring down at him. The man looked pathetic, groveling like that.
He continued, his words tumbling out in a rush. “Raina has always been greedy. From a young age, she coveted everything that belonged to Talia. The attention, the opportunities. I fear for Talia's life as she must be keeping her hidden somewhere, plotting God knows what.”
I parted my lips, shock rippling through me. My eyes flicked to Viktor, who stood stone-faced across the room, his expression unreadable. He gave a subtle nod, confirming he was listening, ready if things turned.
“What?” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Greedy?
Raina?
The woman who had signed away everything in the divorce without a fight?
The one who'd painted in secret, hiding her true self because she thought she didn't deserve more?
Arthur pressed on, oblivious to my turmoil. “Yes, sir. Raina was always jealous. Talia was the golden child. She was smart, beautiful, and destined for great things. Raina? She lurked in the shadows, stealing glances, and wanting what wasn't hers. When Talia went missing, Raina must have seen her chance. She inserted herself into your life, into our family’s alliances. It is her fault my daughter is gone!”
This hit me like a freight train and shock didn't cover it. I wasn't expecting this, not from him. Not when I'd pieced together how they'd forced Raina into this mess. Thrown her into Talia's role to cover their tracks, to protect their reputation. And now?
Blaming her entirely?
It made my blood boil.
“Y... you don't mean this,” I said, a dark chuckle escaping my lips. It sounded bitter, and hollow.
“I’d never lie to you, Mr. Moretti,” Arthur insisted, still on his knees. “That girl is so manipulative, and so selfish. She's ruined everything.”
I turned to Raina's mother, who had sunk back into the sofa, wringing her hands. Her face was pale, /‘dneyes downcast. “You. Tell me. Is everything true?”
She hesitated, then nodded shakily. “Y... yes. Raina is... exactly as he's said. Always wanting more than her share.”
I burst into laughter then, the sound sharp and mocking. I clasped my hands together, leaning back in the chair. It echoed off the walls, making them flinch. No wonder Raina had never come clean on her own. Not until I confronted her and said I knew.
Living that lie must have seemed better than this, better than facing parents who would sell her out in a heartbeat to save their skins.
Her own family had thrown her under the bus. Forced her to impersonate Talia, then pinned the disappearance on her when it all unraveled. The betrayal burned in my chest.
I'd been angry at Raina for the deception, but this? This was monstrous. She had carried that weight alone, pretending to be someone else while they plotted behind her back.
Memories flashed of Raina's quiet smiles while she talked and the way she'd light up when she was talking about things that excited her.
Had she been greedy? No.
Desperate, maybe. Trapped, even.
And I'd let her walk away thinking she was the villain.
“Get her for me,” I said, my voice steady now, and laced with command.
Arthur and his wife exchanged glances. It was quick, but I caught the flicker of unease.
Something was wrong.
I sat upright, my patience snapping. “Get her for me.”
Arthur rose slowly, avoiding my eyes. “She... she is not here, sir. Raina left the moment she arrived a couple of days ago. She said she could never be with us again. Blamed us for everything.”
My heart started pounding, heavy thuds against my ribs. Like it might burst right out of my chest.
Two days.
It had been two days since she'd packed her bag and left our house. I had assumed she was here, and safe with her family.
Maybe even happy to be free of me. But she wasn't?
“What?” The word came out rough, and disbelieving.
“Raina is not here, sir,” his wife whispered, her voice trembling. “We haven't seen her and heard from her since then.”
The room felt too small suddenly and too tight.
I stood up sharply, the couch scraping softly behind me.
Viktor straightened immediately.
For the first time since I entered that house, something close to panic curled in my chest.
Raina wasn’t here.
She wasn’t with her parents.
And no one knew where she was.