LOGINAuthor's Pov.Lucia was reading a book in her room, occasionally staring out the window with an empty feeling. Since what happened at the event yesterday, Alexandro hadn't spoken to her.At the main gate, a guard walked quickly toward Alexandro's study."Sir, there's a visitor. A man named Nathan. He's asking to see you."Alexandro, who was sitting behind his desk, raised an eyebrow. Nathan? The man who had made Lucia smile so freely yesterday. The unmarried man who used to be Lucia's neighbor back then. The man who had been unsettling him all day.Alexandro set down the pen in his hand, his eyes narrowing."Bring him in."He was curious. What kind of man dared to come to his house uninvited? Without fear? Did Nathan know who he was? Of course he did. Everyone in this city knew the De Luca name, yet this man still came.The guard nodded and turned away.A few minutes later, footsteps were heard in the hallway. Nathan entered with steady steps, without hesitation. A white long-sleeved
Author's PovUpon arriving home, the atmosphere grew even more tense. Alexandro walked in without waiting for Lucia. He strode quickly toward his study on the second floor, leaving Lucia at the doorway with her hands still hanging empty.The study door closed with a loud thud.Lucia stood in the hallway, staring at the door with a heavy chest. She didn't understand. What was wrong? What had she done? Talking to an old friend? Laughing? Smiling? Was that a sin?She looked down and walked to their room alone, sitting on the edge of the bed with a blank expression.In the study, Alexandro sat in a large chair behind a mahogany desk. His face was hard. His hand gripped a pen, but he wasn't writing anything. His eyes stared at the wall as if trying to see through it.A few minutes later, a knock came at the door."Come in."Marco entered with a folder in his hand. His expression was flat as usual, his black suit neat, hair slicked back. He stood before the desk with a respectful demeanor.
AUTHOR'S POVA few days had passed since that night at the disco.Alexandro was staying home more often. He didn’t say much, but he also didn’t go out. Sometimes he sat in the living room reading reports; other times, he was on the terrace drinking coffee while gazing at the sky. Lucia spent her time in the back garden, reading books, writing poetry, or simply sitting and enjoying the afternoon sun.They were like two planets orbiting in their own paths, occasionally crossing, exchanging small smiles, then returning to their own axes.But that morning, while Lucia was having breakfast alone at the dining table, Alexandro came downstairs in casual clothes. A dark gray long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up slightly, and black dress pants. A look far from formal, yet it made Lucia pause for a moment."We're going out," he said.Lucia blinked. "Where?""An event. Non-formal.""W-what event?""Friends. There's a gathering at someone's house."Lucia swallowed. "Am... am I coming?"A
The car moved slowly through the night. City lights sparkled outside the window, but my eyes were vacant, seeing nothing.Beside me, Alexandro held my hand, but I knew he was still angry. Not at me, but at those women, or maybe at the situation. I didn't know.What I did know was that he didn't let go of my hand.When we arrived home, he helped me out. Still holding my hand, he led me inside. The servants nodded respectfully, but I didn't see them. My feet felt heavy, my body weak.In the living room, he released his grip."Sit down."I sat on the sofa. He stood before me, hands on his hips, looking at me sharply. The room lights were bright, leaving nowhere to hide."Look at me."I lifted my head."Are you okay?"I nodded. Even though I wasn't."Don't lie."I looked down. "I'm okay."He paced back and forth for a moment, then stopped in front of me again."What did they say to you?" asked Alexandro.I was silent."Lucia.""It doesn't matter.""What did they say?"I looked down furthe
We were still lying on the sofa in that private VIP room, my body still weak, my breathing not yet fully steady. Alexandro was beside me, one arm around my waist, his fingers tracing small circles on my skin still damp with sweat."Lucia," he called."Hm?""What are you thinking about?"I was silent for a moment. My eyes stared at the dark ceiling of the room, only illuminated by the dim light from beyond the curtain."Something crossed my mind.""What?"I bit my lip. "I'm thinking about starting a diet."He stopped stroking and looked at me."Why?""I saw those women earlier. They're slim, they're beautiful. I feel like I don't deserve to be beside you."He sighed. "We've talked about this.""I know, but this isn't about what you think. It's about me. I want to feel comfortable in my own body. I want to look in the mirror and not feel ashamed."He was silent for a moment, then said, "If that's what you want, do it, but do it for yourself, not for me or anyone else."I smiled. "I will
The song changed.The tempo was slower. Red lights glowed dimly, creating moving shadows in every corner of the room.I felt the shift before I understood it.Alexandro's hand, which had only been holding my waist, now slid lower. His fingers pressed gently, tracing the curve of my body through the fabric of this red dress. I tensed for a moment, but he pulled me closer."You're tense again," he whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin."The song...""We follow the song. Let your body move."I swallowed. My eyes occasionally glanced upward, to the VIP balcony. Those women were still there watching us.Alexandro grabbed my chin, turning my face away."Don't look at them. Look at me!"I stared at him. There was something there that made my heart pound hard.His hand descended to my hip, pulling me until my body pressed against his. There was no distance. My red dress rubbed against his black shirt. I could feel the heat of his body, his heartbeat, his breath growing heavier.
The priest began to recite the prayer in a steady voice that echoed throughout the church. I stood still beside Alexandro, my hands feeling stiff as I held the bouquet. The scent of lilies was too strong, almost making me dizzy."We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Alexandro De Lu
I remained standing in the living room for a few moments after Alexandro disappeared at the end of the staircase.My arm still throbbed faintly where he had gripped it. When I looked down, the marks of his fingers were still faintly visible on my reddened skin.I brushed over them slowly.Strangely
“We’re getting married the day after tomorrow.” Alexandro’s voice was flat, as if he were announcing something completely ordinary. There was no hesitation, no emotion I could read on his face. Only that sharp gaze that had been traveling over my body from head to toe. I stood stiffly in front of
The journey back felt much longer than when I left. Throughout the ride in the car, I held my small bag tightly against my chest as if it were the only thing keeping me calm. Streetlights passed by the window like shadows moving too quickly.The closer the car got to Alexandro’s house, the harder m







