Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Elena
That party ended with Valentina's sudden appearance. I couldn't stand the humiliation—too many probing eyes turned on me instead. I left the ballroom alone, planning to head back to the manor by myself. But Dante's car and driver were outside. I couldn't order them to take me first.
Then Luca appeared in front of me. He helped my dazed self into the car and drove me back to Moretti Manor.
"You okay?" Luca was around my age. He didn't look at me when he spoke—politely sparing me the embarrassment.
I felt cold. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around myself and shook my head. "I'm fine. I'm okay..."
Everyone saw what just happened. The reigning Don of the Moretti family let go of his new wife's hand in front of everyone and pulled a more beautiful and graceful woman into his arms. An embrace that intense, that undeniable—the feelings behind it had to run deeper than anyone could imagine.
Who was she? I'd never heard the name Valentina before.
Dante clearly cared about her. Was Valentina his ex-girlfriend? She was back now, which meant me bearing an heir was even more impossible. I could already picture my future—trapped in this manor until I died.
Fear and anxiety flooded my chest. Without realizing it, I clutched at my dress, fingers digging into my palms. It should have hurt, but I didn't notice.
Luca dropped me at Moretti Manor's entrance. He didn't ask questions. Just said before I got out, "If you need anything, call me. The Lombardis and the Morettis have always been close. Don't worry about being a burden."
I looked at him gratefully, nodded, and walked into the manor.
Inside, everything was quiet. Only a few wall sconces lit the long hallway, casting dim light. I walked slowly down the corridor, my dress trailing on the floor. I didn't care. My mind wouldn't stop racing.
Dante's eyes. Him letting go of my hand. His expression when he pulled Valentina into his arms... Each image stuck like a needle in my chest.
Lucia came around the corner, freezing when she saw me alone. "Elena, why'd you come back by yourself?"
I opened my mouth. My voice came out dry and hoarse. "Lucia, do you know who Valentina is?"
Lucia's expression froze. After a long moment, she glanced down the hallway like she was checking for anyone passing by, then lowered her voice. "How do you know that name?"
"She showed up at the party." I felt disconnected from myself. "Dante got weird after seeing her. He left me behind. That's why I came back alone."
Lucia quickly led me to a nearby sitting room and shut the door. She turned back to me, concern in her eyes. "I understand how you feel, Elena. I can tell you who Valentina is, but you can't mention her in front of Salvador and Alfredo. Ever."
I nodded, waiting like I was about to hear my sentence.
"Valentina is Dante's first love."
My heart dropped.
"They were together for years. Their feelings ran deep. But Salvador found out." Lucia's voice was flat, like she was recounting ancient history. "He didn't like Valentina. Thought she had ulterior motives getting close to Dante. He refused to let Dante marry her."
"What happened then?"
"Not long after, Valentina vanished. Dante went crazy looking for her. Never found her." Lucia looked at me, frowning slightly. "Later he learned Salvador had sent her away. Nobody knows where she was."
"So he's been looking for her all these years?" I asked.
Lucia didn't answer. Her silence told me everything.
I looked down at my hands. The diamond ring on my finger caught the light weakly. Just moments ago, Dante had been holding my hand, leading me step by step across the dance floor. Our relationship had finally started improving. Then Valentina appeared and destroyed it all.
"Valentina's beautiful." The words tasted bitter. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Lucia. "She's tall, thin, gorgeous—like an angel drawing everyone's attention."
When Dante looked at her, his eyes lit up. He'd never looked at me that way.
I returned to my room and stood by the bedroom window, looking out. Dante hadn't come back. Even though I'd left the ballroom so long ago, he hadn't sent me a single message.
He doesn't love you, Elena.
That truth was unbearably painful.
I tossed and turned all night, couldn't sleep, but finally made a decision—I had to fight for myself one more time. Even if Valentina was Dante's first love, I was his legitimate wife. Dante hadn't mentioned divorce, so I was still his wife. I still needed to bear the Moretti family an heir.
Marco's injury had healed nicely. He was meeting up with Dante, and when I said I wanted to go too, he said I could ride along.
On the drive to Manhattan, I barely spoke. But as we neared the company, I couldn't hold back. "Marco, you've been with Dante a long time. His feelings for Valentina—can anyone shake them?"
Marco glanced at me in the rearview mirror. I looked at myself too. My reflection looked pale, weak, awful. Terrible.
He said, "I can't say what's in Dante's mind. But you're the lady of the Moretti family now. That's an unchangeable fact."
His words gave me some confidence. Yes—at least during my time as Dante's wife, I'd done well. Our relationship started because of Salvador's deal, but I'd given my genuine heart to it and played the role of wife well. No matter what, Dante shouldn't betray me.
I followed Marco into the private elevator to the top floor—where Dante's office was.
Marco knocked. Dante's voice came from inside. "Come in."
The instant the door opened, I prayed Valentina wouldn't be in the office. Thank God—when we entered, only Dante was there. He looked like he hadn't slept well either. Exhaustion lined his face, his brow deeply furrowed like he'd been wrestling with something difficult.
When he saw me, his eyes widened for a moment. He set down his lit cigar. "Elena, what are you doing here?"
I entered the office. Marco left, thoughtfully closing the door.
"I..." I walked up to Dante, tilted my head back to look at him.
The words came out bitter. "Dante, I know you still have feelings for Valentina.
If she is the one you love, I'm willing to accept that.
As your wife, I never expected you to love me with all your heart.
I only want to have your child. After that...
if you want to divorce me and be with Valentina, I think I'll be able to accept it. "
I should be able to accept it, right?
During this time together, Dante had made things difficult for me, tried to make me leave. But I knew he was someone who took things seriously, who took responsibility for his family. And he'd never truly hurt me. His actions came from anger, not a desire to attack me.
I hated admitting it, but right now, the sourness in my heart was becoming an ocean that drowned me.
I could no longer deny it. I loved Dante.
Hearing my words, Dante's frown deepened. Like he'd heard something hilarious, he said mockingly, "You just want to have a child. Even if I wanted to divorce you, you'd accept it?"
My heart felt like someone was jabbing it with needles.
I turned my head away, avoiding his gaze. "Yes."
Dante laughed loudly. He grabbed my shoulder, one hand gripping my chin, forcing me to look up at him. "Elena, what kind of man do you think I am? Valentina came back, so you think I'll abandon my wife and run off with her? Is that who I am to you? That shitty of a man?"
I didn't speak, but my defeated eyes already gave him the answer.
"You've surprised me, Elena." He let go, clapped twice. "I've never met a wife as generous as you. You'd hand over your husband just like that. Makes me wonder—you don't seem to love me much either. So why did you go to such lengths to marry me?"
His eyes bored into me. I opened my mouth but didn't know what to say. I couldn't control this situation. Even if I'd fallen in love with him, what would that solve?
Suddenly my stomach churned. Nausea rose in my throat.
Dante saw my reaction and grabbed my shoulders, worry flickering in his eyes. His voice softened slightly. "What's wrong?"