Chapter 113 113

Chapter 113 113

The black car slowed to a stop in front of the Sanzone estate. Stefano cut the engine and got out first. He walked around to Yuki’s side and opened the door for her. She stepped out, the red gown still perfect even after the long evening, her clutch held loosely in one hand.

“Goodnight,” Stefano said.

Yuki only nodded and turned toward the entrance, ready to walk away. Before she could take more than two steps, his hand closed around her wrist and pulled her back.

She stumbled slightly, ending up against his chest. “Stefano.” A small gasp left her lips.

“Won’t you say goodnight?” he asked, looking down at her.

“Goodnight,” she mumbled, eyes flicking away.

He didn’t let go right away. His free hand rested lightly at her waist, keeping her close.

“Wanna hang out tomorrow?” he asked.

Yuki pulled back just enough to look at him properly. “No. I strictly said this was the last date.”

Stefano’s mouth curved a little. “It’s not a date. You’ll be in my office at the estate. I want to give you some insight on a few things about the mafia. Nothing more.”

She hesitated, then said, “I’ll think about it.”

“At least it’s not a no,” he replied, clearly pleased with that small opening.

Yuki rolled her eyes and finally stepped out of his hold. She started walking toward the entrance without looking back.

Stefano stayed by the car, watching her go. He didn’t call after her this time. He just stood there with one hand still resting on the open door, a quiet, stubborn smile on his face as she disappeared inside the house.

He got back into the car after a moment, started the engine, and drove off into the night, already thinking about tomorrow.

____

Kade sat at his desk, laptop open, the last few slides of his school project finally finished. He saved the file and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. The room was quiet except for the low hum of his laptop fan. He was about to close everything when his phone lit up with a text from Jordan.

« Are you seeing this? It's my brother's IG post. Check his handle… @stefanodeluca. »

Kade frowned, confused. He picked up his phone and typed the handle into Instagram. The profile loaded. He scrolled to the most recent posts.

There were five of them, all dropped within the last hour.

Every single photo was of Yuki.

She was wearing the same red dinner gown, standing and sitting in what looked like a fancy restaurant. In one she was looking down at her plate, soft lighting on her face. In another she was holding a glass, eyes slightly lowered. One showed her from the side, the gown fitting perfectly, her hair falling over one shoulder. Another captured her mid-conversation, lips slightly parted. The last one was a clearer shot of her face, almost smiling.

The caption under the first post read simply:

My Bride To Be.

Kade stared at the screen.

His chest tightened so hard it hurt to breathe.

“What does this mean…?” he whispered to the empty room.

He scrolled through the photos again, slower this time, like he was hoping they would change. They didn’t. Yuki looked beautiful. She also looked like she belonged there with Stefano.

Kade’s hands started shaking. He exited Instagram and immediately called her number. The phone rang. Once. Twice. Three times. It went to voicemail.

He hung up and called again.

Still no answer.

He tried a third time, pressing the phone harder against his ear as if that would make her pick up. The automated message played again.

Kade dropped the phone onto the desk and covered his face with both hands. His shoulders started shaking. The quiet of the room suddenly felt too loud. He could still see the caption in his mind —

My Bride To Be.

“Bride to be…?” he muttered under his breath. “What’s that supposed to mean? Whose bride to be? It can’t be Yuki… right?”

Kade’s phone rang this time. He snatched it up so fast the charger cable nearly yanked out of the wall. Yuki’s name lit the screen.

He answered on the first ring.

“You called?” Yuki’s voice came through, soft and a little out of breath. “I was having a shower.”

Kade stood up from his desk chair, pacing the length of his room. His free hand kept running through his hair.

“What’s going on?” he asked, voice already tight. “I need an answer.”

There was a short pause on the other end.

“What do you mean?” Yuki asked, sounding confused.

Kade stopped in the middle of the room, staring at the floor. “I don’t understand why Stefano is calling you his bride to be. What’s going on, Yuki? Please tell me.”

Silence stretched for a second.

“Kade… I…”

“Yuki.”

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry for not telling you.”

Kade’s hand clenched into a fist at his side. He started walking again, faster this time.

“You’re sorry? So you’re really engaged to him? You’re marrying Stefano? Why did you keep this a secret from me, Yuki?”

“I was going to tell you soon,” she said. “I swear I was.”

“How soon?” Kade shot back, stopping near the window. “When you’re already his wife?”

Yuki’s voice came out smaller. “I’m not in support of the marriage. I’m finding ways to dissolve it, but my parents are proving stubborn. I’ll find a way.”

Kade let out a short, bitter laugh and turned away from the window. He started pacing again, phone pressed hard against his ear.

“It doesn’t look like you’re objecting to the engagement, Yuki. Because you went on a date with him. Did he force you too?”

There was another pause.

“I’m sorry…” she whispered.

Kade’s voice rose. “You went on a date with him willingly? Tell me the truth. Do you love him, Yuki? Did you suddenly forget about me?”

Yuki didn’t answer right away. The silence on the line felt heavy.

Kade’s breathing got louder. His free hand was shaking now. He stared at the wall like it had answers.

“Answer me,” he said, lower this time, almost breaking.

Still nothing clear from her side.

Something in him snapped.

“You know what? Forget it.”

“Kade, I love –”

He hung up without waiting for another word. The second the call ended he threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall with a sharp crack and dropped to the floor.

Kade stood there breathing hard, both hands gripping the edge of his desk. His chest felt too tight. He sat down heavily on the bed, elbows on his knees, head in his hands.

“Fuck this!” he muttered into his palms. “Fuck all of this.”

He stayed like that for a long time, the room quiet except for the sound of his own uneven breathing.