Chapter 98 PLEASE…
\~~~LUCIANO.
Alessia's voice kept ringing in my head, even as I stared at the computer screen in my study. The words blurred together, but I couldn't focus. I breathed out slowly, trying to push the tension away.
“I think this phase is really going to drag on for a long time. I don't know what's going through her head, and I honestly hope it's not what I am thinking.”
That is what she had said to me on the phone after leaving our house earlier that day.
I had asked her, “What are you thinking?”
She paused, then replied, “Just take things easy with her, okay? I know you, and I know how harsh you can be, but if you really cherish her, now is not the time to act tough.”
Her words stung. Why was everyone acting like I was the villain here? “Why should I bother about her feelings when I'm the one who has been wronged?” I shot back. “She keeps lying no matter what.”
“God, Luciano, do you want to lose her?” Alessia asked, her tone sharp.
“That is not even an option. She is never leaving this marriage,” My voice had been firm, but inside, a knot twisted in my gut. The idea of Raina walking away... no, I wouldn't let that happen.
Alessia went quiet for a moment, then chuckled blankly. “May the good lord resolve your marital issues. I don't have it in me to settle disputes,” And with that, she ended the call.
I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. Why should I be the one to stay calm?
Raina had lied to me from the start, pretending to be her sister Talia. Six months of marriage built on deception. And now, this sabotage plot she was in on it with those people trying to ruin me.
How long was she going to hide that? When I asked, she dodged and cried. It drove me mad.
The screen glowed mockingly, reports on the latest threats to my business staring back at me. But I couldn't sit here anymore. I needed to face her, and get answers.
Pushing away from the desk, I stood up and left the study. The hallway felt too quiet, the walls closing in as I made my way to our bedroom.
When I pushed the door open, there she was, curled up in the bed, fully covered by the duvet like she was hiding from the world. Her dark hair spilled out from under the fabric, the only sign of life. I breathed out, frustration bubbling up.
“You are really going to keep acting depressed?”
She didn't answer. Not a word, not even a shift and it only made me angrier. I walked over to the bed and snatched the duvet away in one quick pull. She lay there in her simple gown, her eyes red-rimmed and staring at the ceiling.
“Can you let me breathe for a second?” she whispered, her voice small and tired.
“Not when you're acting as though the world is about to end,” I crossed my arms, towering over her.
How could she just shut down like this? We had to talk and face the mess she made.
She sat up slowly, pulling her knees to her chest. Her eyes met mine, filled with something dark. Fear, or anger?
“You tell me,” she started, her voice steadying. “What are you going to do to me now? I've seen you kill a man for the flimsiest lie. Would you drag me there too, have your men torture me, and then kill me?”
“What?!” My brows snapped together, shock hitting me like cold water. I stared at her, words failing me for a second.
“Are you sick?” I asked, my tone sharper than I meant.
This was what had been going through her head? All this time, while I wrestled with betrayal and anger, she thought I was some monster ready to end her? The realization twisted something inside me.
“You think I would…” I took a step closer, but she flinched, shrinking back into the pillows like I was about to strike.
I stopped dead, my heart pounding.
For the first time, the thought that she might actually fear me scared me more than anything. I had built my life on control, and strength, but seeing her like this… terrified of me, made my stomach drop.
For the first time, I hated it.
Hated that all the thoughts she had about me were nothing good, just repulsive shadows from my world. The deals, the violence, and they were necessary, to be honest, but not for her.
Never for her. She was supposed to be my wife, my partner, not someone cowering from me.
She watched me carefully, her breath shallow. Then, softly, she asked, “Did you know... about the anonymous calls I received some weeks back too?”
I looked at her for a long moment. She just wanted to clear her doubt, to know how deep my knowledge went. I could lie, but what was the point now? Everything was out in the open, raw and bleeding.
“Yes. I do, yes,” I admitted, my voice low.
She chuckled darkly, a bitter sound that didn't reach her eyes. She nodded her head slowly, as if it confirmed her worst fear. The air between us thickened, heavy with unspoken accusations.
Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, glancing at the screen before answering while keeping my eyes on her face. “Yes?”
“We've gotten her,” Viktor announced, his voice clipped and efficient.
My pulse quickened. Finally, a break in this mess. “Where are you?”
“We are taking her to the warehouse now,’' he answered.
“I will be there.” I ended the call, slipping the phone back into my pocket.
I turned to Raina, who hadn't moved. “Let’s talk when I get back,’' I said, trying to keep my tone even. There was too much to unpack here, but I needed to handle Irina first.
As I headed for the door, her voice stopped me, soft and almost whispered. “Please... divorce me.”
The words pierced through me immediately, sharp as a knife. I froze, turning back slowly. “Excuse you?”
“I want out of this marriage. Luciano, please, divorce me,” she repeated, tears flowing freely down her cheeks now. They glistened in the dim light of the room, her face crumpling with pain.
And now, for the first time since this marriage began, I wasn’t sure who was really trapped anymore.