CHAPTER 3

SOFIA JOHNSON

When I open my eyes again, I see the sunlight streaming through the curtains.

My whole body is sore, but not in a bad way — it’s that good feeling of used muscles, touched skin, and marks from a night of intense sex.

My memory comes back, and I widen my eyes as I remember everything.

My God.

I had the best sex of my life with a man who’s probably twice my age.

I blink a few times, trying to shake off the memory of how he held me, how he seemed to know exactly what to do, as if he could read me from the inside.

This is not the time to think about that.

He’s still asleep, lying on his side, his hair messy and his chest rising and falling slowly.

It’s strange to see someone who was so intense yesterday be so calm now.

I decide to leave without making a sound.

I get up slowly, look for my clothes scattered on the floor, and get dressed as quietly as possible.

I grab my bag and head for the door, already planning to disappear before he notices.

“Do you always sneak out in the morning?”

I freeze.

I turn slowly and see that he’s awake, propped on one elbow, looking at me with a teasing smile.

“I wasn’t sneaking out...” I lie.

“Of course you were.” He sits up in bed, unconcerned by the fact that he’s completely naked.

“Why are you running away? You don’t have a boyfriend anymore after being cheated on, remember?”

I let out a sigh and end up smiling.

“That’s not it. It’s just... it was only one night.”

“I liked you.” He says it without hesitation, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Can we see each other again?”

I shake my head.

“Maybe it’s better if we don’t. I don’t want another relationship after what happened.”

He looks at me for a moment but doesn’t insist. He just shrugs and leans back again.

“Your choice. Can I at least know your name?” he asks, smiling at me.

I smile too and bite my lip before shaking my head no.

“Telling you my name would give you hope that this would happen again, so no.”

He laughs, lying back in bed again.

I leave the hotel and call a tow truck to take my car to the nearest repair shop.

While I wait, the cold morning wind makes me realize I haven’t even had coffee.

The day goes on, and I try to focus on my university work.

I bury myself in texts, spreadsheets, and notes, but it’s useless.

With every page I try to read, the image of the man from the hotel — the way he looked at me, the sound of his deep voice — comes back again.

By late afternoon, my phone vibrates. It’s Lucas.

He texts: “Can I come over?”

My first instinct is to ignore it. But before I can decide, he’s already at my door.

I open it and see that familiar face, now with a guilty expression and a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

He takes a deep breath.

“Sofia, give me a chance. I love you. I don’t want it to end like this.”

I cross my arms.

“Why, Lucas? Why should I believe you?”

He looks at me with a seriousness I’ve never seen before.

“Because my parents came to town just to meet you. They came here because of you.”

That catches me off guard.

In two years of relationship, I never got to meet his parents. There was always an excuse, a reason to delay it.

“I...” I start, but I don’t know what to say.

“Come to dinner tonight with us,” he insists. “At my parents’ house. Please.”

“Lucas...”

“Please, I know I might not have another chance with you after everything I did. I told you how strict my parents are, just pretend to be my girlfriend for one more night, please.”

I don’t want to go.

But the idea that they came just to meet me tugs at my chest.

And maybe, just maybe, I want to see what role he’s trying to play now.

“Fine. I’ll go,” I say, without enthusiasm.

His face lights up, as if he’s just won a battle.

He thanks me, handing me the bouquet, and when he tries to kiss me, I pull away quickly.

“Don’t push it, Lucas.”

“Okay, sorry. I’ll win you back, Sofia.”

When I close the door, I’m still trying to process what just happened.

Then my phone vibrates again. Unknown number.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you since yesterday.”

My heart pounds in my chest.

“Who is this?” I reply.

“I can’t believe you don’t recognize me. It’s me, the guy from the hotel. I got your number while you were sleeping.”

I drop the phone on the bed for a second, processing. He got my number? While I was sleeping?

I feel my face heat up — and it’s not from anger.

“You’re very bold,” I type.

“Maybe. But I still can’t get you out of my head.”

I smile without meaning to.

And I realize that, even with dinner planned and the promise of seeing the man who cheated on me again... what really makes me restless is the thought of seeing that stranger from the hotel once more.

Damn it.

I choose a black dress for tonight, knowing that Lucas’s family is very wealthy and involved with illegal and dangerous things.

I fix my hair and take a deep breath.

Lucas, beside me, keeps that tense smile he uses when he’s trying to force things to work out.

“It’s going to be fine, Sofia,” he says, touching my hand.

I just nod.

After everything that happened, after everything I found out, I don’t really know why I’m here. Maybe pity. Maybe curiosity. Maybe it’s just easier to go with the flow than face another confrontation.

The door opens, revealing a tall woman with perfect posture, blonde hair in an elegant bun, and a silk dress that surely costs more than my entire car.

“Mom,” Lucas smiles, hugging her.

She returns the hug, but her cold eyes go straight to me, like a scanner analyzing and already finding flaws.

“So you’re Sofia.”

“Yes, I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I try to smile, even feeling her silent evaluation.

She doesn’t hug me, just nods.

“Come in, dinner’s almost ready,” she says, already turning her back.

“She’s not much of a talker.”

“I noticed that.”

The house is so luxurious that I feel out of place.

Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, huge paintings cover the walls, and a soft carpet muffles my steps.

The dining table is set with cutlery I probably wouldn’t even know how to use in the right order.

We sit, and she immediately starts.

“So, Sofia, when are you graduating?” she asks, resting her chin on her hand.

“Next year,” I reply.

“And what exactly are you studying?”

“Business Administration,” I smile, trying to be friendly.

“And what are your plans for the future? Have you two talked about that?” She looks at me, then at Lucas, as if expecting him to correct me if I say something wrong.

Lucas quickly answers:

“We’re still figuring that out.”

“Hmm.” She smiles without humor. “It’s good to think about those things before investing so much time.”

With each new question, it becomes clear that she’s not here to get to know me, but to measure me. And I’m not passing the test.

The truth? Lucas and I are not doing well at all. And, if I’m honest, I’m only here because he insisted. But no one needs to know that.

“Your father is arriving. He went out, but he said he was already on his way,” she comments.

Lucas seems excited.

“You’re going to love meeting my dad, Sofia. He’s amazing.”

My hand tightens on the napkin in my lap.

I smile.

The truth is, I might not be that excited to meet Dante Moretti. The mafia king that Lucas’s family doesn’t even try to hide.

Lucas has told me so many times what Dante is like.

Cold and controlling.

The sound of the front door opening echoes through the house.

The footsteps get closer.

“Finally!” Lucas gets up, heading toward the living room.

His mother turns, smiling, and I turn too, ready to greet politely.

And then my heart freezes.

Damn it. No.

Him.

Lucas runs to him, hugging him enthusiastically.

“Dad! We’ve been waiting for you!”

I freeze in my chair, my mouth slightly open, my hands cold.

I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack any second.

The man looks at me over his son’s shoulder.

His eyes meet mine, and for a second, I swear he’s as shocked as I am.

But then a slow, dangerous smile appears on his lips.

And I realize I’m about to have the most awkward dinner of my life.