Chapter 92 Drunk
The woman stared at the photo for a long time, and finally shook her head and stepped back. "I really don't know her. You've got the wrong person."
Luca clenched his fist at his side, his face full of disappointment.
He had been searching for so many years, and just when he finally got a small lead, it turned out to be a dead end.
"Sorry to bother you," he said curtly, then turned to walk out toward the stairwell, his steps heavy.
His assistant quickly put away the phone and followed behind.
"Sir, maybe the information was wrong. Should we double-check everything?" the assistant asked cautiously, worried about upsetting him.
Luca didn't say a word, just sped up his pace. When he stepped out of the stairwell, the sunlight outside was blinding, but he felt a chill all over.
The car headed toward the city, the inside completely silent.
The assistant glanced at Luca's grim profile in the rearview mirror and added, "Sir, there's an important video meeting tomorrow morning. The partners are already waiting. We need to get back to the country as soon as possible."
Luca leaned back in the seat with his eyes closed, rubbing his throbbing temples. "Got it."
His migraine was acting up again, and the disappointment from earlier made the pain even worse. He didn't even have the energy to talk.
The car raced to the airport, and they finally made it back to the country before 9 a.m. the next day.
Luca forced himself to attend the meeting, his face dark the whole time, barely saying a word.
The partners noticed something was off with him, and the meeting ended quickly.
"Sir, do you want to rest in your office for a bit?" the assistant asked while packing up the files.
"No, just take me back to the house," Luca said, standing up, his steps a bit unsteady.
Right now, he just wanted to go back—back to the place that still held traces of Olivia.
The car stopped at the villa entrance, and the housekeeper hurried over. "Sir, should I prepare lunch?"
"No, everyone leave," Luca waved his hand and walked straight into the living room.
The villa's decor was exactly the same as it had been five years ago, down to the sunflower ornament in the corner of the living room that Olivia loved.
He walked to the liquor cabinet, opened the door, and saw the bottle of fruit wine Olivia had bought back then, the label already yellowing with age.
Luca grabbed a bottle of whiskey, didn't even bother with a glass, just twisted off the cap and drank straight from the bottle.
The harsh liquid burned his throat as it went down, but it helped clear his foggy mind a little.
He thought of Olivia making breakfast for him in the kitchen, of her curled up on the couch waiting for him to come home, of the resolute look in her eyes when she signed the divorce papers.
"Damn it!" Luca cursed and smashed the empty bottle on the floor.
The sound of shattering glass was jarring in the quiet living room, and the spilled liquor splashed everywhere.
He grabbed another bottle, kept drinking, one after another, until the liquor cabinet was a mess and the floor was littered with broken bottles.
The alcohol hit him hard. He slumped down against the cabinet, his vision blurring, as if he could see Olivia standing not far away, looking at him with cold eyes.
"Why did you leave?" he muttered to the air, his voice hoarse. "Why didn't you wait for me? I know I was wrong. Can you come back, please?"
He reached out, but there was nothing to grab, just empty space.
He didn't know how much time passed before the villa door was gently pushed open. Windy walked in carrying a thermos.
She had called Luca, but he didn't answer. When she called the assistant, she learned he was in bad shape after returning from abroad and had gone straight to the villa.
"Luca, why did you drink so much?" Windy hurried over, trying to help him up.
Luca suddenly looked up, his eyes unfocused. The alcohol had clouded his judgment, and as he looked at Windy, he thought she overlapped with the Olivia in his memory.
"Olivia?" He grabbed Windy's wrist, his grip so tight it made her wince in pain.
Windy felt a surge of secret joy and leaned closer. "It's me. I'm back."
She had been waiting for this day for so long. Even if she was just a substitute, she was willing.
Luca stared at her face, his eyes full of pain and reluctance. "Why were you so determined back then? Why did you insist on a divorce? Why didn't you even give me a chance to explain? I know I neglected you before, but I've changed. I didn't want a divorce. I wanted to start over with you!"
His voice cracked, sounding like a hurt child, his hand trembling as he held her wrist.
Windy sneered inwardly but put on a hurt expression. "Luca, don't be like this."
Her fingers gently touched his cheek, trying to comfort him.
Luca looked at her pained face, the guilt in his heart growing stronger. He leaned forward, slowly closing the distance, wanting to kiss her.
Windy closed her eyes, full of triumph inside. If this kiss happened, everything would change.
But just as their lips were a few centimeters apart, Luca suddenly stopped.
He caught the strong scent of rose perfume on Windy, completely different from the light jasmine scent Olivia loved.
The unfamiliar smell was like a bucket of cold water, snapping him back to reality.
He pushed Windy away abruptly, his eyes filled with shock and disgust. "You're not Olivia."
Windy stumbled back a few steps, the smugness on her face freezing. "Luca, I..."
"I'm sorry," Luca said, steadying himself against the cabinet as he stood up, his tone apologetic. "I drank too much and mistook you for someone else."
Now that he was more sober, he felt bad seeing Windy's reddened eyes, but he also felt relieved.
He had almost made a huge mistake.
Windy bit her lip, tears falling, jealousy burning inside her, but she still put on a fragile act. "Luca, in your heart, will there always only be Olivia?"
She couldn't hold back anymore and confessed outright. "I've liked you for so many years, ever since the day I saved you. I know you used to see me as a little sister, but I don't want to just be your sister. I want to be your wife, to stay by your side. I can wait, no matter how long it takes. I'm willing to wait for you to forget her."
Luca was stunned. He hadn't expected Windy to confess like this.
He had always thought Windy's feelings for him were just dependence and gratitude, not love.
"Windy, I'm sorry," he said seriously. "I've always seen you as a sister, nothing more. You saved me back then, and I'm grateful for it. That's why I've taken care of you all these years. But that gratitude isn't love."
He paused, his gaze falling on the sunflower ornament in the corner of the living room. "In my heart, there's only Olivia. I didn't cherish her before, and now I just want to find her and make it up to her."
Windy's tears fell harder, her nails digging into her palms. "I understand. I was too greedy. You don't need to apologize. Being by your side as your sister is enough for me."
She wiped her tears, her voice choked. "Yesterday was my birthday. My mom made your favourite meatloaf. She said you're always working late and insisted I bring some over to warm you up."
As she spoke, she handed over the thermos, her eyes full of hurt.