Chapter 96 THE MORETTIS.
\~~~RAINA.
I stood in front of the mirror in my bedroom, my hands trembling as I smoothed down the front of my dress. It was a simple blue one, nothing fancy, but it felt like armor today.
I adjusted the collar one last time and then looked at myself in the mirror again. My eyes were still puffy from all the crying, and dark circles lingered under them, but there was no time to fix that.
Alessia was outside and I couldn't hide forever. Taking a deep breath, I turned the doorknob and stepped out into the hallway.
The stairs creaked softly under my feet as I descended, each step feeling heavier than the last. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of dread and nervousness twisting in my stomach.
What would Alessia say? She had always been kind to me, treating me like a friend. But now, with the truth out, did she see me as the liar I was? Pretending to be Talia for six months, and fooling everyone, well except, apparently, Luciano. The betrayal stung fresh, and I wiped at my eyes quickly, not wanting to appear weak.
Downstairs, the living room came into view. Sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting warm glows on the plush sofa and coffee table.
Alessia was there, pacing a little as she talked on her phone. Her voice was low, professional, but she stopped the moment she sighted me. She ended the call with a quick “I will call you back,” and stood up straight, her face lighting up with concern.
Before I could say a word, she crossed the room and pulled me into a tight hug. Her arms wrapped around me gently, and I stiffened at first, the awkwardness flooding through me. She smelled like fresh flowers and coffee, a comforting scent that clashed with the storm inside my head. I hugged her back hesitantly, my body tense.
“Oh, girl! You look like you've lost five kilos in just a day!” she exclaimed, pulling away to cup my cheeks in her soft hands. Her eyes scanned my face, full of worry. “Are you okay? You seem so pale.”
I forced a smile, though it felt brittle on my lips. The awkwardness sat heavy between us, like an unspoken wall. I didn't know how to act normally after everything. Gently, I sat down on the sofa, my legs feeling wobbly. “I wasn't expecting you so early,” I said, clearing my throat to hide the crack in my voice.
Alessia laughed lightly, sitting beside me but keeping a small space. “Is this even early? I overslept, believe it or not. And now I can't believe I'm just going to work as if nothing happened.”
She chuckled again, but it didn't reach her eyes. She was trying to lighten the mood, I could tell.
I raised my head to check the clock on the wall. It was past 9 a.m. Time had slipped away while I was lost in my thoughts upstairs. The morning felt endless already. “So, do you feel better? Hope you slept well,” she asked, her tone soft and caring.
“Y... yes, I did,” I lied a little, not wanting to burden her more.
“I am so sorry for the stress I put you all through yesterday,” My voice was quiet, and laced with genuine regret.
“Sorry for what? Don't be silly, please,” she chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. But her smile was warm, and reassuring.
“Thank you, regardless,” I murmured, looking down at my hands folded in my lap. Gratitude mixed with shame in my chest. She had been there for me, even when I didn't deserve it.
“I really wanted to see you before I started my day, and I'm glad I did,” Alessia said, leaning back. “I will check back in the evening. Do you want me to get you anything on my way? Food? Books? Anything to cheer you up?”
I shook my head, forcing another small smile. “I am okay,” But inside, I wasn't. The weight of secrets pressed down, making everything feel hollow.
“Oh, come on, Raina. Tell me. I will raid the whole store if you tell me to,’' she insisted, her eyes sparkling with that playful energy she always had.
I looked at the smiling woman beside me, her face was so open and kind. A blank expression settled on my own features as I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing. The words bubbled up, unable to stay buried. “Y... you know already,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. The awkwardness peaked, turning into a raw vulnerability that made my skin prickle.
Alessia breathed out slowly, her smile fading into something more serious. She scooted closer to me on the sofa, her hand reaching out but stopping short. “Raina…”
“You must be so disappointed, right?” continued, the words spilling out in a rush.
Tears threatened again, hot behind my eyes. “When you heard him call me that yesterday, you must have been so... shocked. Angry, even. I mean, I lied to everyone. Pretended to be Talia from the start. How can you even look at me now?”
“Actually,” Alessia cut me short, her voice steady but gentle. She pressed her lips together, choosing her words carefully. “I have known for a long time. No, let me be fully honest with you. I knew right from when you joined the company.'
My eyes widened in shock, my breath catching. The room seemed to tilt, the sunlight suddenly too bright.
How?
When?
My mind raced back to those early days at work, her friendly smiles, and the way she included me without question.
But, she knew all through?
“Luciano had told me,” she added, and I choked on nothing, the air stuck in my throat.
God, why were the Morettis so good at playing ignorance?!