Chapter 5

Vincent's POV.

My whole life, Luca has always had the upper hand. It started the moment our father’s mistress showed up at the estate with a dark-haired boy clinging to her side. A bastard, yet somehow… the favored one. From that day, I was no longer the heir in my father’s eyes, just the backup plan.

Luca became the golden son, the strategist, the future of the Moretti empire. I became the shadow. And now, he wants my wife too?

When Stella came to me with news of their betrayal, it felt like the final blow but pain doesn’t sit long with men like me. It turns to rage and rage demands retribution.

I should’ve never pushed Adriana away. I shouldn’t have slept with Stella. She’s carrying my child, our future and I’d be damned if I let Luca steal that from me too.

The longer I watched them interact, their stolen glances, the awkward silences, the more unbearable it became. Luca had already taken my father’s trust, my place in the family. He won’t take her.

So I planned a gesture. I had her favorite flowers flown in from Florence. The kitchen staff prepared her favorite food, truffle risotto with seared lamb. Everything had to look perfect. Everything had to feel sincere.

When she walked into the mansion, after one of her doctor appointments which I should have followed her to, she stopped cold, her eyes narrowing.

“Vincent… what’s all this?” she asked, voice guarded.

I stepped forward.

“Adriana, we both made mistakes and I know I’ve failed you. I let pride and pain cloud my judgment. but I’m done punishing you. I want us to move forward.”

She hesitated, her eyes searching mine.

“I don’t know, Vincent. So much damage has been done.”

I took her hand slowly, gently.

“I’m not asking you to forget, only to forgive. I am the man you married and I want to be a father to our child. .”

Her expression softened, though uncertainty still lingered.

“Do you mean it?” she whispered.

“I do,” I said without hesitation.

She nodded faintly. I took her hand and led her upstairs to our shared bedroom.

“Vincent… are you sure about this? About forgiving me? About Luca, about Stella… shouldn’t we talk first?”

I froze.

Her mention of Luca’s name made my blood boil. I felt a surge of anger and possessiveness.

“Adriana,” I growled, “don’t mention his name ever again.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but I silenced her with a kiss.

“Adriana,” I said, my voice low and dangerous, “I’m not letting him ruin this.”

Adriana’s eyes widened with fear and arousal. I could see the desire and the fear in her eyes.

I quickly undressed and pinned her to the bed, my body pressing against hers.

“You’re mine,” I said, my voice a low growl.

“And I’m going to make sure you never forget it.”

Adriana began to cry, her body shaking beneath me. Her tears meant nothing to me as I continued to thrust harder and faster inside her.

“Please, Vincent,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

I couldn’t stop myself, I needed to take what's mine. I kissed her tears away, my hands roaming her body.

“I’m never going to let you go.” I murmured against her skin.

She sobbed as I continued, my hands and lips exploring every inch of her body.

But I wasn’t done yet. I needed to make sure she understood.

“Adriana,” I growled, “you’re mine. Say it.”

She whimpered, her body trembling beneath me.

“I’m yours,” she whispered.

“Say it again,” I commanded, my voice harsh and demanding as I spanked her sides.

“I’m yours,” she repeated, her voice louder now.

"And Luca?" I demanded, pressing harder into her now very wet opening, "What about him?"

She sobbed, her tears wetting my skin. "He's nothing," she whispered. "He's nothing compared to you."

With every word, every cry, my possessiveness grew stronger. "I won't let him take you from me," I said, my voice thick with desire.

I began to move faster against her, my body desperately seeking hers.

Her nails dug into my skin. "I'm sorry," she cried for me to stop.

We had never made love like this before. It wasn’t gentle, it wasn’t kind, it was raw and aggressive. And now she’d never forget it. I had made my mark on her.

The moment it was all over and the silence crept in, I felt it, that shift, something dark settled over me.

"Adriana," I called, my voice quieter now. Her back was turned to me. She didn't flinch. She wouldn't even look at me.

I sat there, staring at the woman I claimed to love, claimed to own, and all I saw was distance. No matter how hard I fucked her the image of her and Luca couldn't leave my head.

I hated that.

I said nothing else. I stood from the bed, pulled on my shirt, my belt, my watch. My mind was spinning, my chest heavy.

I had to get out.

I grabbed my car keys and walked out, the door slamming behind me.

***

The Moretti Club sat at the edge of the city, private, exclusive, crawling with our associates and clients.

“Boss,” the guard at the entrance greeted, stepping aside without question. Inside, the music was loud, the smell of whiskey and smoke thick in the air. I moved past the crowd, heading straight to the VIP level.

My usual corner was already waiting, a bottle of scotch uncorked, a cigar tray freshly set. Everything just the way I liked it.

I poured a glass and I downed the drink in one gulp, the burn in my throat no match for the fire in my chest.

“Vincent,” a familiar, unwelcome voice purred.

I didn’t look up. I didn’t need to. Her perfume arrived before her words, sweet, suffocating and desperate.

Stella.

I took a slow sip of my drink, “Who let you in?”

“I missed you,” she said, sliding into the seat beside me like she belonged there.

I turned to her, eyes sharp. “You don’t belong here.”

She gave a little laugh, trying to play coy. “Don’t be like that. You weren’t complaining the last time...”

“That was a mistake,” I cut her off, my tone deadly. “I only touched you to get back at Adriana. Nothing more. Don’t confuse revenge for affection.”

Her smile faded. “You don’t mean that.”

“I meant every damn word,” I snapped.

I stood. My guards stiffened at the sight of my glare. “Why the hell was she let in?” I barked at them.

They exchanged nervous glances.

“She said she had clearance,” one muttered.

I stepped closer to him. “Next time, verify before letting a rat through the gates.”

I turned back to Stella, who now stood there frozen. “Get her out of my sight,” I ordered coldly.

“But Vincent...”

“Out.”

Two of my men moved toward her. She tried to resist, whining, grabbing my arm.

I didn’t flinch.

“Touch me again,” I said lowly, “and I’ll have you escorted out of the country, not just this room.”

That got her moving.

As they dragged her out, I sat back down and I couldn't help but think.

Would I ever get past it? Would I ever be able to forgive? One thing for sure I was going to make Luca pay.