Chapter 54 HEARTS UNDER SIEGE
••Luciana••
Roman did not come to the room that night.
The door remained shut. The space beside me felt cold, empty. It gave me permission to fall apart quietly. I buried my face in the pillow, crying hard enough for my chest to ache, careful not to make a sound that could echo down the hallway. I told myself I was crying because of what I heard. Because of Andrian. Because of the truth twisting itself into something ugly inside my head—but that was a lie.
I was crying because somewhere between his silence and absence, something had begun to matter. Something I never intended to care about. Something that started growing in my heart before I even realized it had permission to.
I barely admitted it to myself. The truth pressed heavy against my ribs. Whatever I felt for Roman had slipped past my defenses. It did not feel like heartbreak—it felt worse, like someone had reached inside my chest, removed my heart, and left only the echo of where it had been. Sleep eventually came, carrying me away from my thoughts.
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The next four days passed in a quiet haze.
I stayed in my room, avoiding anything that might make me run into Roman. I instructed the maids to bring my meals, and if I needed anything else, I would tell whoever delivered it. I asked Theo to help me get anything from outside. He might have updated Roman on the details, but that didn’t bother me—at least it kept me from having to face him.
Roman never came back to the room during that time.
Oddly, the relief that brought me surprised me. I needed the space, even if it hurt. He understood the gravity of the situation, and I appreciated that he knew to keep his distance.
Why do I still like that he’s handling it so well?
My phone buzzed, and I stared at it while lying back in the pillows. I answered, though the voice on the other end was faint at first.
“Can you hear me, Matteo?” I asked, curling tighter into the blankets.
Matteo had been keeping me company throughout my isolation. Occasionally, I’d add Antonio to the call, though his teasing usually led to chaos. Still, it was all in love, and I appreciated it.
“Loud and clear, drama queen,” he said, voice bright and familiar.
“I’m not a drama queen,” I smirked, holding the phone up for the FaceTime camera.
“You will not believe the woman I met last night,” he said.
I smiled despite myself. Matteo launched into his story, words tumbling out and gestures invisible but implied through the call.
“So,” I interjected lightly, “what happened to swearing off attachments last week?”
He scoffed. “This one is different.”
“That’s what you said about the last three,” I teased.
He laughed, unbothered. Matteo never stayed offended long. His joy was stubborn like that.
“Oh,” he added, voice turning serious, “your mother’s frame arrived from Sicily. The one you asked me to send. It should be delivered today.”
I sat up slowly. “Really?”
“Yes. You can go pick it up.”
My chest tightened. “I don’t think I can.”
“Why?” he asked.
I paused. Matteo was the only one I could trust enough to tell. Antonio would tease me endlessly before acting sensible if he realized how serious I was.
I told him everything. What I heard. What I thought it meant. What I didn’t hear but assumed. Silence stretched across the line.
“Luci,” Matteo said gently, “are you sure you heard everything?”
“I heard enough,” I whispered, the words feeling fragile.
“Enough to hurt you,” he corrected, “not enough to know the truth.”
I frowned. “I thought you hated Roman. Shouldn’t you be on my side?”
He chuckled softly. “I am on your side. That’s why I’m saying this.”
His voice became serious. “I saw how he looked at you last time. I saw how he spoke for you without being asked. Men like him don’t do that unless they care. Not the way he does.”
I stared at the ceiling, swallowing hard. “I hear you,” I said quietly. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I ask,” he replied. “Don’t decide his guilt before he speaks.”
After the call ended, I sat for a long moment. The room felt enormous and even emptier than before.
I reached for the sweatshirt Roman had given me weeks ago. I didn’t think; I didn’t want to search for other clothes. My laziness meant wearing the item of the person I was currently hating.
I pulled it on. The fabric was soft, familiar, and carried his scent whether I wanted it to or not. I paired it with the shorts I had on and headed downstairs.
The garage was silent.
I tried the first car. Locked. The second. Locked. The G-Wagon I usually used didn’t respond either.
A guard stood nearby.
“Why can’t I access any of the cars?” I asked.
“Signor Roman gave orders not to allow any vehicles to be used,” he replied calmly.
“Why?” My patience snapped.
“I’m acting on orders, madame.”
Why would he do this? The cars were fine.
I turned and walked straight to his study. If he was anywhere, it would be there.
The door was open. Roman sat behind his desk, eyes fixed on his laptop. Theo occupied the couch, files spread out beside him, another screen glowing in his hands. Both looked up when my voice cut across the room.
“Roman.”
He lifted his head. Theo did too.
“Why is a guard telling me I cannot use any of the cars?” I demanded.
He stared for a moment. I wondered if he hadn’t heard me—or maybe I’d just gotten more beautiful in the last four days. Then it hit me: I had voluntarily walked up to him myself.
Oh shit. I still have to maintain my composure. I’m a boss bitch for fancy.
“Do you care to sit?” Roman asked softly.
“I don’t have time for that.”
He exhaled slowly. “All the cars are being serviced this afternoon. That’s why I restricted their use.”
“I need to get a delivery now,” I interjected.
He nodded once. “Alright. I’ll tell them to prepare one for you, princess.”
The nickname hit differently this time. I didn’t react.
“Thanks,” I said, turning toward the door.
“Wait.” His voice stopped me mid-step.
I turned back. He was standing now, hands resting on the desk. His expression unreadable, carefully neutral.
“Let’s go together,” he said.
The room went quiet. Theo’s gaze flicked between us, sharp and knowing. Roman didn’t look away.
“I can handle it myself,” I replied.
“I know. Still, let’s go together.”
I studied him. The calm in his tone didn’t match the tension in his eyes. Something unsaid lingered. For four days, we had avoided each other like strangers sharing a house. Now he stood in front of me, offering proximity like a truce.
“Fine,” I said finally.
Roman nodded. Theo stayed behind, watching us leave with the kind of look that suggested he knew this wasn’t just about a car.
We walked side by side down the hallway, close enough to feel each other’s presence, distant enough to pretend we were fine. Neither of us spoke.
The silence stretched tight and fragile, waiting for the wrong word to shatter it.
Why did I even agree to him following me?
The garage felt longer than usual, as if it existed outside the house.