CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“I saw the smile on your face when you left a ‘hint’ at a baby to that reporter at Hotel Caro. Even then, you tried to deceive me, but I doubted it because I couldn’t believe you’d be so cruel…”
What I’d done to Rocco gnawed at me, my conscience feasting on my heart.
Luca’s message echoed with unwavering certainty that he’d believed I’d always put duty above all else, even Rocco.
I only had myself to blame, and it was hard to admit how much my negligence cost us.
How could I ever hurt him? He was always honest with me.
When I had struggled with what he knew about Luca and my father, he had risked everything to earn my trust. And now, I’d shattered his.
“Here, I’ll take that from you,” Zane said, catching my attention.
I removed the USB and handed the laptop to him before climbing into the back seat of the Mercedes.
My mind went back to the video and Luca.
I hadn’t had the chance to finish watching it.
What else did he have to tell me after Nico left?
The car door swung open and Rocco stepped in, his magnetic presence crackling in the air and sending my pulse racing.
He raked a hand through his hair and shot me a glance so cool I instinctively lowered my head.
I’d spent my life surrounded by people I could never truly relax around, but Rocco had dismantled my walls until I barely recognized myself.
It felt like teetering on a tightrope, desperate for balance with nothing to grasp.
All I could do was sit, silent and still, clinging to hope.
He took out his phone and dialed, then raised it to his ear.
“Yes. It’s me, Mom. I’ve talked to Adelina.
You know what about? Hmph. That’s right.
Listen, listen to me. You never ever threaten her again…
I don’t care…I don’t care…No one can replace her.
Got that? If you hurt her again…You apologized?
Do more. Do better…I need to make another call. Yeah. Bye.”
Shock and gratitude collided inside me as Rocco leapt to defend me, even against his own mother. I realized then how much I’d underestimated him and how much I regretted it.
I cleared my throat. “Thank you. Thank you, Rocco.”
He didn’t even look or answer me, but dialed another number. “Yes, what’s next?”
I wilted, and my gaze fixed on my restless hands.
How can I fix this? I craved advice, but who could I trust?
Cass would take my side, but I couldn’t bear to confess what I’d done.
Nadia probably wouldn’t understand, and my list ended there.
That was the curse of my family and Rocco’s fame: so few people I could truly confide in.
“Yes, it’s new…Milan,” Rocco said in an abrupt tone that took my attention. “My lawyer’s on his way. I expect you there.” He ended the call, grumbling, “Fuck.”
“What happened?” I asked.
He went quiet, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was deciding if he could trust me.
My stomach squelched. “Please, Rocco. I only want to help, and I know you’re upset, but please…” Give me a chance.
Minutes went by, and I had all but given up when he finally said, “Gunnar and I will be having a meeting to discuss our plan. We’re considering holding a board meeting so we can all watch the video together and hear Luca’s own words.
You said he doubted the legality of his new will and mentioned he was sick? ”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“We think it may force the board to invalidate the new will. We’ll also discuss the child provision since you’ve removed your birth control and may possibly be pregnant.”
I winced and turned away from him. “You really have to tell them that? I might not be pregnant—”
“But it’s possible.”
I rubbed the space between my brows. “But if we tell them and I’m not, that’ll mean…we might have to try again? That could mean you’re committing to…” Trying to get pregnant in the near future. The words left unsaid hung in the air.
“I know,” Rocco said in a terse tone. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
I touched my hot face and pushed back my hair. “Then let’s not do it.”
“Too late for that. Secrets only weaken us.”
I flinched inside and kept my eyes on my hands, pinching my wrist, attempting to stay strong and not dissolve into tears.
Rocco reached over and stilled my hand. “It’s always been this way, Adelina. We have to answer to the Marini Board and Trust.”
I grimaced. “I know. It’s frustrating.”
“It is, and I’ll prepare for it. Gunnar and I will watch the video—”
“The whole video?” I interrupted. It finally dawned on me what that meant.
“Of course. What’s wrong with that?” he asked in an exasperated tone.
“But I-I haven’t watched it all.”
“You’ll get it back after. We’ll determine what’s relevant and prepare for any challenges. I suspect the trust will demand it, seeing it in its entirety.”
I tensed, my pulse rushing as fast as my words. “But-but the video has Luca saying he planned for the child provision. Wouldn’t that undermine our cause?”
“I don’t believe so. You said he admitted that he didn’t bring it to the board, and it may be invalid. Luca acknowledged his limits. That’s something we can use.”
I bobbed my head and ran my palms down my legs. “Yeah, but you should let Gunnar watch it alone.”
“Why do I need to do that?”
I chewed on my lip. Did Rocco know about Nico’s affair? Olivia? What if she’s there? Even if I disagree with her, I’d never intentionally hurt her. What should I do?
“Adelina, you’re keeping something else from me?” Rocco’s voice rose.
I averted my eyes and hunched my shoulders.
“Oh, no, you don’t. You will tell me now,” he demanded through clenched teeth.
“What if what I know hurts you and…your mom?”
I flicked my gaze his way, and his eyes widened in surprise, then his brows lowered, his jaw tensing. “Tell me anyway.”
I shook my head no. “I-I don’t want to hurt you more—”
“It’s too late for that.”
I flinched. “I’m—I’m sorry.”
“If you are truly sorry, you’ll make things right and stop keeping secrets,” he said coarsely.
It wasn’t my secret to share. However, when it came down to protecting Nico or rebuilding Rocco’s trust in me, there was only one answer. I cleared my throat. “Nico was recorded as well.”
“My father’s on the video? What do you mean?”
“Nico interrupted the recording, and it happened before our dinner.”
His eyes widened. “My father was at Luca’s? Tell me everything.”
“I don’t—I mean, it was something that happened in the early part of your parents’ marriage.” I wrung my hands.
“Damn it, Adelina. Just tell me. This is your chance to do right by me,” he hissed, and his annoyance punctuated his harsh tone. I knew keeping anything from him now could risk us never healing again.
I closed my eyes. “Nico talked about…an affair he had early in the marriage. It was after you were born, with an actress on set.”
“No way,” Rocco said, shaking his head. “There’s no way my father would ever do that to my mom. He adores her. Dotes on her…” His voice lost steam, and it was clear his doubt had resolved. “Fuck me…Dad’s been desperate to get something from you.”
“Luca mentioned to him that he was making a video for me. I’m sorry, Rocco,” I said, meaning it so much more than just the sad news.
Olivia and Nico had seemed very much in love when I first met them.
However, he had seemed annoyed during the will reading.
His hostility toward me was probably partly due to this video.
No, he didn’t like me from the start. He didn’t want an arranged marriage for his son.
“Grandpa told me in his way, but I wanted to believe my father was better than that.” He rubbed his temples. “My mom’s one of the strongest, most loving people I’ve ever known. She’s also one of the smartest. She knows about it, even if they never said a word.”
“You think so?” I muttered.
He nodded. “I do. Mom must have forgiven him and did what she always does: she put our family first. I can’t imagine the pain she must have gone through, and I know she’d never want me to know that. I think that’s what my father wanted more than anything: to protect her.”
I reached my hand out but let it drop on the seat. Rocco didn’t attempt to take it.
“I’m okay. I’m confident Grandpa put a stop to it.
My dad’s…grown up a lot. Still growing. Anyway, Gunnar and I will look at it alone ourselves first, and then my parents.
Mom deserves discretion. Thank you.” His focus returned to the phone, and he scrolled and pressed a number. “Hello. Yeah. It’s me…”
I turned my head and placed it on the cool windowpane as Rocco made more plans.
Some without me.