Chapter 56 CHANCE AT REDEMPTION.
\~~~RAINA.
“Jealous?!”
I burst into an awkward laugh and it was evident as fuck.
Luciano only looked at me like I had lost some screw and I cleared my throat, standing upright.
“Jealous? Because of… that woman?”
“You are uncomfortable with the fact that she is back. I mean, it is written all over you. Irina is a very sexy lady, and that is understandable,” he said, as though he was saying something as easy as food talks and not piercing holes through my body one after the other.
“You think…” I started, curling my fists into tight balls.
“You think she is sexy?”
“I bet you thought the same when you first saw her. I got engaged to her when I was twenty, and we broke up exactly ten years later, of course, I know she is.”
God, how could you be with a person for ten whole years and not end up marrying them?
What sort of a sick joke was this?!
I didn’t want to ask him what caused their breakup. The last thing I wanted was to show this man that I have even the slightest interest in the two of them.
But, despite my inner conflict, my mouth opened and asked, “If she was that sexy, why didn’t you marry her?”
His eyes glinted with irritation for a second, I swear I saw it.
He crossed the space to where I stood, leaned down, and then whispered in my ear, “Some things are better being admired from afar.”
“I swear, I wanna whack you.”
“So, she wants me back? Let her try. Who knows?” He shrugged.
That casual dismissal made me so angry beyond words.
“You are so unbelievable,” I said, shaking my head. “Do you even hear yourself?”
Luciano straightened slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. “I hear you just fine.”
“You know what? I hate that I am so tangled in this shit with you. This marriage, you, you world. I hate everything so much!”
“Hate as much as you like, sunshine. It is still not going to save you from me.”
I turned away from him before he could see the way my face crumpled and before he could see that his words had hit something raw and bleeding inside me.
My steps were quick, and sharp with anger as I marched into the closet and shoved the door open. The soft lights flicked on automatically, illuminating rows of clothes that suddenly felt ridiculous with expensive fabrics, perfect cuts, and things meant to dress up a life that was falling apart at the seams.
I stood there, my back to the room, my fists clenched so tight my nails bit into my palms.
Behind me, I could feel his presence. Or maybe I was just so used to it that it lingered even when he wasn't there
For a long moment, I just stood still.
I pressed my forehead against the cool glass of one of the mirrors and shut my eyes. My chest felt tight, like something was sitting on it, and crushing the air out of my lungs.
I wanted to scream and wanted to punch something. Anything.
Luciano’s face would have been perfect.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, was going right for me.
Not this marriage I never asked for.
Not the man who treated me like a possession and a problem all at once.
Not Irina, with her sharp eyes and sharper words, looking at me like I was the cause of her misfortune.
And definitely not the messages. The damn messages that had lodged themselves into my mind like a ticking bomb.
I dragged my hands down my face and sniffed, waiting for the tears to come.
They didn’t.
I couldn’t even cry.
I mean, if I cried, what exactly would it be for?
The marriage?
Irina?
Or the fact that someone out there knew the truth and was dangling it over my head like a blade?
I let out a breath that sounded too much like a laugh and lifted my hands helplessly.
God.
Just kill me, please.
—
Dinner was quieter than usual.
The dining room was bathed in warm light, and the long table was set with precision that felt almost mocking. Plates were arranged neatly, cutlery polished to a shine. The food was something I usually loved, grilled salmon, lightly seasoned, and served with buttery mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables.
My favorite.
On any other day, I would have enjoyed it. Maybe even gone back for seconds.
Tonight, I barely tasted a thing.
Luciano sat at the head of the table, three empty chairs separating us like a deliberate barrier. He ate calmly, and unhurriedly, as if the world wasn’t unraveling around me.
I poked at my food, forcing myself to eat because I knew he’d notice if I didn’t. I could feel his eyes on me heavy, and assessing.
Each time I looked up, he was focused on his plate, perfectly composed.
Like always.
By the time I was rounding up, pushing the last bit of food around my plate, my appetite was completely gone.
That was when my phone beeped.
The sound was soft, and barely noticeable, but it hit me like a gunshot.
My fork slipped from my fingers and clattered against the plate.
Slowly, I reached for my phone, my hands already trembling before I even saw the screen.
Unknown ID.
My heart slammed violently against my ribs.
I lifted my gaze instinctively, meeting Luciano’s eyes. They were already on me now, sharp, and curious.
I forced a stiff smile.
“Just… work,” I said lightly, hoping my voice didn’t betray me.
He studied me for a second longer, then leaned back slightly, saying nothing.
I looked back down at my phone and opened the message.
“Don’t you think it is high time we have a serious conversation, Raina? You and I have a lot to talk about.”
My breath caught painfully in my throat.
My heartbeat went wild, pounding so fast it felt like it might burst right out of my chest. I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening around the phone.
Before I could even process that one, another message came in.
“I will place a call through at exactly ten a.m. tomorrow morning. If you miss it, you’ve lost your chance at redemption.”
My hands shook so badly that I had to grip the edge of the table to steady myself.
“Anything wrong?” Luciano’s voice cut through the haze.
I flinched.
“N… no,” I answered very fast, “Just… a client being dramatic.”
He hummed, unconvinced, but didn’t press further.
I locked my phone and slid it back onto the table, my appetite completely gone now.
Ten a.m. tomorrow…
Okay.