Chapter 34

Zara’s POV

By the time I walked into the dining room, the table was already set. Crystal glasses. Fancy dinner candles flickering low enough to look intimate but high enough to expose every expression.

It felt less like dinner, more like court.

Theo Ferraro sat at the head of the table, relaxed as if he owned the air itself and Matteo sat to his right, posture straight, and his expression cold. He didn’t even look at me when I entered.

Of course he didn’t.

A servant pulled out a chair for me, directly across from Matteo. How convenient.

“Ah,” Theo Ferraro smiled warmly. “There she is.”

I forced a small nod. “Good evening.”

Matteo’s eyes lifted then, only for a second. But it was enough to assess me. Then he looked back down at his glass.

“Sit, sit,” Theo urged. I lowered myself into the chair and the silence that followed wasn’t just empty but thick.

Theo folded his hands together. “So,” he began casually, “how is university, Zara?”

“It’s fine.”

“Fine?” He tilted his head. “That sounds underwhelming.”

“It’s… busy.”

Matteo’s jaw twitched faintly and Theo noticed.

“I heard there was some excitement recently,” Theo Ferraro added lightly. “Something about a video?”

My fork paused midair and Matteo on his end didn’t move.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said evenly.

Theo chuckled softly. “Come now. News travels.”

“I handled it,” Matteo said flatly finally breaking his silence.

Theo’s eyes slid to his son. “Handled?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

Matteo’s gaze didn’t shift still. “It’s done.”

He stared at him for a long moment, and then smiled faintly. “Good.”

I swallowed knowing that they knew. Of course they knew. Nothing in this family stayed private.

Dinner was served in seconds. Plates placed carefully in front of us and the clink of silverware sounded too loud.

Theo leaned back slightly staring at me. “Zara, tell me. Are you enjoying Italy?”

“It’s different,” I replied.

“Different good or different disappointing?”

I hesitated. “I’m adjusting.”

Matteo finally looked at me again and then he looked away.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to study here,” I added politely.

Theo smiled approvingly. “Gratitude is a beautiful trait.”

Matteo’s fork scraped against his plate as if trying to pretend we weren't at the table.

“Is she adjusting well?” Theo asked him and Matteo took a slow sip of water before answering.

“Like she said.Yes.”

That stung more than it should have. ‘Like I said?’

Theo’s gaze flickered between us.

“You two seem… distant.”

The minute he said that, my shoulders stiffened.

“We’re fine,” I said quickly but Matteo didn’t confirm it or even deny it. He simply continued eating.

Theo leaned forward slightly. “Living under the same roof requires harmony.”

“We have harmony,” Matteo said calmly cutting him off and that lie sat heavy in the air.

Theo smiled faintly. “Do you?”

And silence followed again that It felt like I was being dissected.

Theo turned back to me. “Has Matteo been a good guardian?” Those words made my jaw tighten.

“Yes.”

Matteo’s eyes flicked to mine sharply at that.

“Guardian,” Theo repeated thoughtfully. “Interesting choice of word.”

“What else would he be?” I asked carefully and Theo’s smile deepened.

“Family.”

That word felt loaded for some reason. Matteo’s voice cut in, almost too quickly. “We’re not children, Father.”

“No,” Vittorio agreed softly. “You’re not.”

His gaze lingered on Matteo longer than necessary and a silent exchange passed between them.

I cleared my throat. “I have classes tomorrow. I shouldn’t stay up too late.”

Which was a cowardly excuse but I needed air but Theo waved dismissively. “One more course.”

And immediately dessert was placed in front of us. I barely even tasted it. The tension between Matteo and I was static now.

Every time our eyes accidentally met, it felt like a challenge. Like we were daring the other to say something. Anything.

Finally, Theo set his fork down.

“I expect unity in this house,” he said calmly.

“Understood?” he asked Matteo.

“Yes.”

“And you, Zara?”

I forced myself to meet his eyes. “Understood.”

“Good.”

And then he stood as the room seemed to breathe again.

“I have a call to make,” he said. “You two should talk.”

My heart skipped as Matteo’s expression darkened slightly watching his father walk away.

“We have nothing to discuss,” he said evenly but Theo paused at the doorway.

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Then he left and then the door closed softly behind him as silence filled the air. I pushed my chair back first.

“I’m going upstairs.”

“Sit,” Matteo protested. A command so quiet yet firm.

And I froze. Slowly, I turned to face him.

“I’m not one of your men,” I said coolly.

“I'm only still seated here because of him” he said evenly still staring into his plate.

Anger flared. “Excuse me?”

“So what now, are you blaming me?”

“I’m stating facts.”

I laughed bitterly. “And that gives you the right to make me stay back here?”

“Yes.”

The bluntness stunned me.

I stood fully now. “I didn’t ask you to pretend.”

“You don’t have to.”

“That’s not your decision.”

He rose slowly from his chair as the air shifted instantly. He was taller up close. Imposing.

“It is when you live under my roof,” he said.

I stepped closer despite myself. “I am not your responsibility Matteo.”

His jaw tightened. “You are here because of my father’s decision.”

“And that makes you my owner?”

His eyes darkened.

“Careful,” he warned softly.

“Why do you care so much?” I demanded.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer. Close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him.

“You mistake control for care,” he said quietly.

“Then what is it?” I whispered. His gaze dropped briefly to my lips. Then back to my eyes.

“Discipline.”

The word hit like ice water as anger surged through me.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re reckless.”

“At least I’m honest.”

His expression hardened.

“Honesty would require you admitting you knew exactly what you are doing.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You want attention.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“You want to provoke me.”

My breath caught. Because maybe—

“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t think about you that much to want to get your attention.”

“Good,” he replied coldly as the distance returned instantly.

Walls slamming back into place.

“I’m done with this conversation,” I said, stepping back.

“Good,” he echoed.

For a moment we just stood there, two people pretending indifference. Two liars.

Without a word, I turned and walked toward the door.

“Zara,” he called out again. But I didn’t stop.