Chapter 7 Unknown Text

My first instinct? Deny it. Cover it up.

I reached for the scarf—then stopped.

Why bother?

The truth would cut cleaner.

I yanked it off, stuffed it in my sweatshirt pocket, and met his eyes. Calm. Unbothered.

"Yeah. You saw them. Hickeys. I slept with someone else."

Said it flat. No emotion.

But it wrecked him.

Luciano lost it.

He grabbed my neck, slammed me into the corner.

The polished, golden-boy act was gone, replaced by a full-blown mafia meltdown.

"What did you just say? Say it again!"

Under all that rage? Fear. Clear as day.

So I doubled down.

Dead in the eye. "I said, on your birthday, after I walked out of your place, I slept with someone else."

"You—" His jaw clenched. His grip tightened.

He'd never actually hurt me before. When my face flushed from the pressure, his hands twitched—panicked.

He let go, fingers trembling.

Ran a hand through his blond hair, pacing like a psycho. "No... no way. You were terrified of men. For three years, you barely let me touch you. I was the only one you trusted. How the hell could you sleep with someone else?"

I shut it down—ice cold. "Believe it or not, it happened. And it wasn't just sex. We were wild. And yeah, I loved every second."

Sharp. Direct. Brutal.

He spun on me, eyes wild. "Who is he?! Tell me and I swear, I'll kill him!"

Seriously?

The hypocrisy was almost cute.

He got to screw my sister like it was no big deal. But I sleep with someone else and suddenly he's ready to commit murder?

"Not telling you," I said coolly. "The second I saw you and Cecilia come together, you lost every right to ask. I owe you nothing."

Just thinking about their little kitchen scene made my stomach twist. Almost puked.

But I held it in.

This wasn't about heartbreak.

It was about pride.

I leaned in, gave him the final blow. "All I'll say? He was better. Every. Single. Way. Looks, body, and yeah—especially in bed. Unreal."

A flick of contempt. Enough to hide the wreckage inside.

Perfect ending.

Luciano didn't move.

I turned, walked off.

Then came the explosion.

"Bitch! Cecilia was right—you're a fake, venomous puttana! I was your boyfriend! I held back for years out of respect. That's why I went to her! She was nothing—just a stand-in! I loved YOU, and you betrayed me!"

He was spiraling.

"You and your mother—both sluts in disguise. Acting all pure while rotting underneath. I should've never believed a damn word you said!"

I wasn't about to sink to his level.

But the second he dragged my mom into it—I snapped.

Smack!

I slapped him clean across the face.

Pointed right at him. "You don't get to judge me. And don't you ever talk about my mother again."

"Listen." My voice shook, but it was done. "We're over. For good. Forever."

I walked away, fast.

Through the alley, two blocks down, straight to my apartment.

Made it to the bed just in time—crashed face-first, soul wrecked.

Then my phone buzzed.

Unknown number.