Chapter 95 A WARNING?
\~~~RAINA.
I sat in the middle of the bed, my legs tucked under me, staring at the bowl of porridge on the tray in front of me. The steam had long faded, leaving it looking cold and unappetizing.
Luciano had lifted me forcefully earlier, his strong arms carrying me like I weighed nothing, and dropped me onto the soft mattress. He set the tray down with a thud and fixed me with that stern look of his.
“Finish this before I return, he said, his voice low and commanding, before turning on his heel and leaving the room. The door clicked shut behind him, echoing in the quiet space.
I couldn’t eat.
How could I? How could I swallow a single spoonful while everything inside me was in chaos?
I had missed my timing. The chance to tell him. To prove to Luciano that I hadn’t done this on purpose. Those things had escalated faster than I intended.
But now, it didn’t matter. The words that could have saved me had disappeared into thin air, leaving me exposed and helpless.
Tears began to fall freely down my cheeks, hot and unrelenting. I shook my head, as if that motion could shake away the heavy weight in my chest.
I hate this life.
God, I hate this life of mine.
At first, I had let my parents win over me, letting them push me into a life that wasn’t mine.
And, to be very fair, it was also my fault that things had spiraled this far. I had made choices too, decisions that had led me to this mess.
I cried harder, the bowl of porridge before me forgotten. Slowly, as if guided by some distant thought, I picked up the spoon and tried to scoop a little. Just a little.
But then reality hit.
Everyone knows now, right?
The whole family, the staff, probably even strangers in this house. They all see me for the fraud I am.
Right?
The thought was unbearable.
I dropped the spoon again, the sound clattering against the bowl louder than it should have, and buried my face in the blanket, shaking with sobs.
___
I don't know how long I lay there, crying until my eyes burned and my throat ached. Eventually, exhaustion pulled me under, and I must have drifted off, the empty bowl pushed aside on the tray.
When I woke up, it was to the gentle hands shaking my shoulder. I blinked open my eyes, but the harsh sunlight streaming through the window hit me like a spotlight. It was too bright, stabbing into my skull, so I squeezed them shut again with a groan.
“The sun? I will close the curtain,” came Luciano's voice, calm but concerned.
I heard the rustle of fabric as he moved to the window, and the room dimmed slightly. Managing to sit up, I rubbed at my eyes, my head pounding from all the crying.
“What is the problem?’' I asked, my voice coming out hoarse and rough, like I'd been screaming all night.
I couldn't remember how or when I'd fallen asleep last night. All I knew was that I'd cried myself out until the tears ran dry, and in the end, I'd forced down the rest of the porridge just to get it over with. It had tasted like ash, but at least it was done.
“How does a person manage to sleep for that long?” Luciano asked, standing by the bed with his arms loose at his sides. “Do you feel better?”
I didn't answer him. Instead, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up slowly, my body feeling heavy and weak. The room spun for a second, but I steadied myself against the bedpost.
“How do you feel this morning? Do you feel better?” he pressed, stepping closer. “Do you think I should call the doctor and…”
“Luciano, stop!” I snapped, my voice louder than I intended. It cut through the air, sharp and frustrated.
“What is it again, Raina he hissed back, his eyes narrowing. He looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes, like he hadn't slept much either. Obviously fed up with the whole situation.
“I can't pretend like everything is fine when it's not,” I said, my words tumbling out. “Stop acting like they are! Yell at me. Scold me for lying to you. Stop acting like you care, shit!”
He raised a brow, his expression hardening. “Why can't you pretend
“It shouldn't even be a problem to you, so why now?” I shot back, my heart racing.
“Now, listen to yourself,” I gritted my teeth, clenching my fists at my sides to keep from shaking.
“Why don't you sit still and rethink everything,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. His stance was defensive, like he was bracing for another fight. “Tell me something, Raina.”
“What?’' I whispered, my throat tight.
“Aside from pretending to be Talia, what other things are you hiding from me?”
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. My throat felt raw and my stomach churned. I shouldn’t lie, not now. But the thought of opening myself completely was terrifying.
There was one more thing and that was the anonymous call.
The offer I had received. No one knew about it. There was no way he did.
So, I raised my shoulders in a shrug, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Nothing.”
Luciano scoffed, shaking his head slowly. The sound made my stomach drop. Did he know? Had he found out somehow?
“Right,l he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“What do you mean by that?!” I asked, stepping forward.
“You, Raina Monroe, are a woman of many colors,” he said, walking toward the door with a calm precision that made my stomach sink.
“Luciano!” I called out, panic and frustration mixing into my tone.
“Alessia is outside,” he said over his shoulder before slamming the door shut.
I sank back onto the edge of the bed, my fingers clenching the blanket.
The words repeated in my head.
Was that supposed to be a compliment? A warning? Or just a statement of fact?
Taking a deep breath, I smoothed my hair and slowly stood up.
Whatever came next, I'd survive it. But deep down, I wondered if this life was worth the hate it filled me with.