Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Dante
Elena cried. But what right did she have to cry?
When I got those photos this afternoon, I wanted to storm Lombardi Estate, drag that punk Luca Lombardi out, and break his arms and legs as a warning to stay the hell away from my wife.
Photos scattered across the floor. Elena sat on the bed, watching me. A thin cut on her arm from the photo's edge leaked tiny beads of blood.
"Dante." Her voice still shook, but steadier than before. "You had me watched?"
Watched? Ridiculous. This was Moretti Manor—my territory. They met right under my nose, looking so damn happy together. Did I need to spy for that?
I let out a cold laugh. "You two weren't exactly hiding. Why would I need to go out of my way?"
"He just came to bring me books!" Her voice shot up suddenly, tears brimming. "There's nothing between us. But you—why did you bring Valentina back here? This is our home. Why would you humiliate me like that?"
Her words silenced me. I watched tears roll down her cheeks, and something dark and satisfied stirred in my chest—revenge.
Her voice dropped to almost a whisper, but it pierced straight through me. "Right in front of me, you let her hold your arm, sit in my seat at dinner. So what the hell are you two?"
I said nothing. Pain twisted her face, eyebrows knitted tight. One hand clutched at her chest unconsciously.
The Elena before me had always been stubborn, enduring. She'd never exploded like this in front of me. This version felt like a stranger. Then it hit me—she cared. She cared about me.
"Valentina's your first love. The woman you searched for all those years.
" Tears dropped onto her clothes, spreading into dark stains.
"She matters so much to you. So why do you care who I see?
Unless..." She paused, voice dropping lower.
"Unless I'm just property to you. Even if you don't want me, no one else can have me either? "
Something slammed into my chest. Pain flared.
What was she saying?
I didn't want her?
How could she think I didn't want her?
My fists clenched. I wanted to say something. Tell her it wasn't like that.
But the words stuck in my throat, crushed by the afternoon's pent-up rage. She'd dared to meet another man at Moretti Manor. Whatever else, she needed to learn a lesson.
She needed to understand—I was her husband. She shouldn't smile at other men like that.
"You're my wife." Each word came out hard and deliberate. "A Moretti woman doesn't get that close to other men."
Elena turned away, wiping tears with her hand. She looked devastated. Wouldn't even look at me. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she fell completely silent. I wanted her to stand up, tell me she'd never see that Luca punk again, that she'd focus on being my wife.
But she looked crushed. Done talking. This hurt worse than fighting.
"You need to remember who you are." I threw the words at her and left our room, slamming the door hard.
Valentina was still downstairs waiting. She'd finished dinner and sat on the living room sofa. When she saw me, she stood and came over. "Dante, are you okay?"
I didn't answer. Just said, "I'll take you home."
We left the manor. The drive back was quiet. Valentina sat beside me, her gaze constantly on me. The attention grated. I finally asked, "What do you want to say?"
I turned my head. Valentina looked like she wanted to cry but held it back. She took my hand. "Dante, did you bring me back today just to hurt her?"
My hand tightened in hers. I didn't deny it.
She smiled bitterly. "I could tell. The way you look at her—it's exactly how you used to look at me."
I couldn't stand seeing her like this. "Valentina..."
"I know you're married. We can never go back." Her voice caught, but she fought to stay calm. "I just... didn't want to believe you really don't love me anymore."
Marco drove quietly up front. My mood swung between Elena and Valentina. Frustration mounted. I lit a cigar. The heavy tobacco smell filled the car, slowly settling my nerves.
Valentina sobbed softly, voice pitiful. But I hadn't betrayed her. I'd searched for her for years. Still, all that time had passed. No one's feelings stay frozen forever.
"Bringing you to the manor today—yes, I wanted to provoke her. That was wrong." My voice was low but every word sincere. "I shouldn't have used you. That wasn't fair."
Valentina stayed silent.
"I did love you once." I watched scenery blur past the window.
New York's nightscape streamed by in ribbons of light.
"After they sent you away, I never got involved with anyone.
I thought you were all I had in my heart.
But then Elena appeared. Things happened between us.
Without realizing it, I started caring about her. "
Valentina turned to look at me. Tears slid from her eyes, but she made no sound. Just bit her lip hard.
She asked, "You love her, don't you?"
I was silent for a long time. Didn't answer.
Because I didn't know. I only knew that seeing her with Luca made me want him erased from the world. I only knew that when she cried and said "I can accept a divorce," I wanted to strangle her.
But was that love? My heart had been numb too long. I couldn't identify this feeling.
The car pulled up to Valentina's apartment building.
Before she got out, I handed her another card.
"Valentina, I'll do everything I can to make up for what you've suffered.
I'll deposit money in this account every month.
Enough for you to live well in New York.
But beyond that, I can't give you anything more. "
She took the card tearfully, looking at me with resentment. Finally, she lifted her chin proudly and walked away.
"The Cruz family—our people found some leads. Marco, keep following up." I pressed my fingers to my brow, forcing down the churning emotions, redirecting my focus to what mattered more.
Marco drove me back to my apartment. "Understood."
He asked, "Elena—Mrs. Moretti. What do you plan to do?"
I leaned back and closed my eyes. Elena's devastated, sobbing face flashed before me. I thought for a moment. "Let her stay at the manor and reflect. As for that Lombardi punk, I'll deal with him eventually."
"Sir, these documents need your signature."
My secretary entered, carrying several files. I took them and flipped through. The final plans for converting the underground casinos. Great locations—once renovated into shopping centers, they'd connect with surrounding commercial areas.
"Good proposal." I signed off and approved the budget. "Move forward with the plan."
The secretary nodded. "Yes, sir."
Marco suddenly burst in, panic on his face. I dismissed the secretary and frowned at him. "What happened?"
"Word from the manor—Mrs. Moretti collapsed last night. They rushed her to the hospital."
"What?" I shot to my feet, grabbed my suit jacket, and told Marco, "Take me to the hospital."
Worry flooded through me. How did Elena collapse? She'd always been healthy. She hadn't been doing anything strenuous lately. What the hell happened?
Before I could work it out, I reached the corridor. Valentina suddenly appeared, blocking my path. "Dante, what's wrong?"
"Elena's in the hospital. I need to see her." I had no time for this. "Move. Don't block me."
Valentina's eyes darted. She grabbed my arm, pressing closer. "Dante, you two just fought yesterday. Maybe Elena's collapse was from emotional stress. If you go see her now, you'll only upset her more. It won't help her recovery."
I stopped. She was right.
Elena cried so hard last night. Could've been the emotional turmoil that made her collapse. The thought filled me with regret. I could've talked to her properly. Instead, I chose something that hurt her.
I bit down hard, looked at Valentina. "Then what should I do?"
"Let me go." Valentina's beautiful eyes filled with sincerity. She smiled at me. "I thought about it all night. I've decided to let go. To wish you and Elena happiness. Since the misunderstanding started because of me, it's best if I explain. Elena will forgive you. You two will work things out."
She was right. I was probably the last person Elena wanted to see right now. If Valentina explained, told Elena there was nothing between us, maybe she'd feel better.
But I was still suspicious. One night, and Valentina changed this much?
She caught my doubt, glanced at Marco. "If you don't trust me, Marco can come along. I just want to make it clear to Elena—your heart belongs only to her now. Put her mind at ease."
Valentina stepped back, creating distance between us.
She looked at me earnestly. "Dante, I just want you to be happy.
Before, I fought to be with you because I thought only I could make you happy.
But yesterday, meeting Elena—I could tell.
She cares deeply about you. Women's intuition is sharp. I trust my judgment."
"So as long as you're happy, even if I'm not the one beside you, I can accept that."
Her words rang sincere. Her manner genuine. I stood there thinking, then gave Marco a look. "Take her to the hospital."
Valentina lit up. "Thank you for trusting me, Dante."
I waved her off and returned to my office, feeling defeated.
Dark clouds gathered outside the window. Looked like heavy rain. I prayed silently—hoped Elena was okay.