Chapter 4

B I A N C A

Natalia’s face was red. The smug expression she usually wore, the one that said she owned the world, was gone. All that was left was pure, unadulterated humiliation.

"I-I can explain," she stammered, tears welling in her eyes. "Lucas, it's not what it looks like."

But Lucas wasn't looking at her. He was staring at me, his eyes wide with a mixture of shock, disbelief, and something else. He looked from the bag in Nonna's hands, to me and back to Natalia. 

His sister snatched the bag from Natalia, scanning it. There was a very obvious difference in the quality of the leather, the stitching, and the hardware. She didn't have to say a word. Her expression said it all. The bag in her hands was a cheap imitation.

The crowd that had gathered to watch my humiliation was now whispering among themselves, their judgmental gazes now aimed at Natalia.

"Natalia, why would you buy a fake bag for my grandmother?" Clara finally asked, her voice laced with disbelief and disgust. "Why would you try to embarrass her like that?"

"I… I didn't know it was a fake!" Natalia wailed. "I bought it online from a reputable dealer who told me he got it directly from Vittorio! I was tricked!"

She suddenly staggered, dramatically placing a hand on her chest, breathing heavily. "Lucas… I can't breathe… my heart…"

The attention instantly shifted from me to her in a second. Lucas rushed to her side, his face etched with concern. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I f-feel so dizzy," she said, leaning against him for support.

Like I was the cause of her pain, Lucas suddenly turned to me, his eyes flashing with anger. "This is your fault, Bianca! You embarrassed her! You know how fragile her health is! You did this on purpose! You’re a bully!"

Without another word, he swooped Natalia into his arms and carried her into the house, leaving me standing there with the rest of the family.

His mother and sister rushed after them, shooting me venomous glares as they passed.

Nonna watched them go, a deep frown on her face. She then turned to me, her eyes filled with apology. "Bianca, I am so sorry. I had no idea they would treat you this way. Please forgive my family for their ignorance."

I gave her a small, tight smile. "It's not your fault, nonna. You've been nothing but kind to me and I appreciate it. I just came to give you your gift. Take care of yourself, nonna. I should get going now."

I kissed both of her cheeks, realizing that this might be the last time I would see her. The thought brought a pang of sadness to my heart, but I needed to get out of here before I did something I would regret.

***

I was packing my clothes for my flight in a few days when Lucas walked into the room.

Just a few more days, I told myself. Then I’d be gone, and none of this would matter anymore. A few more days, and I’ll finally be out of this hellhole for good.

"What are you doing?" He asked, looking at the suitcase on the bed.

"Packing, obviously." I didn’t turn to look at him.

He said, stepping closer to me. "Packing? For what? Are you still angry about what happened at Nonna’s party? Is that why you want to leave?"

I scoffed. What did he think? That I was going to just forget everything and act like nothing happened? That I was going to just stand by while he married someone else? Did he really think I was that desperate?

But instead, I turned to face him, putting on a fake smile. "I’m not actually angry, Lucas. I’m just packing for my business trip in a few days. It’s an important one, so I’m just a little bit nervous.”

He finally let out a sigh of relief. "I knew you wouldn't be that dramatic. And this is why I like you, Bianca. You’re so obedient and understanding." He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him. 

"I’ll be spending the next few days with Natalia, so I won’t be coming home. I’ll make it up to you when you come back. I promise. I’ll take you to that fancy restaurant you love so much. Just you and me. How does that sound?"

It sounded pathetic.

It sounded like the empty promises of a cheating man.

It sounded like the final nail in the coffin of our relationship.

"That sounds great," I said, my voice flat and devoid of any emotion. He didn't seem to notice. He was too caught up in his own little world, where he could have both me and Natalia, and we would both be perfectly happy with it.

He must have thought he had me right where he wanted me. He thought he had won the prize by being a master negotiator. By offering me the chance to be his mistress, with a few benefits thrown in and I would jump at the opportunity to be with him.

It made me wonder if I ever knew this man at all. How did I ever miss this huge red flag? Or maybe he had always been like this, and I was just too blind to see it. Maybe the Lucas I had fallen in love with was nothing but a figment of my imagination. 

I pictured a happy future with a loving, loyal husband, but instead, I got a man who wanted me to be a glorified sex toy. A convenient option he could use to satisfy his desires when his fiancée was too sick to do so.

"Good girl. I knew you would understand," he said, before pressing a kiss on my forehead. "Now, I have to go. Natalia is waiting for me."

I watched him leave, my heart cold. There was no anger, no sadness. Just a cold and hard certainty that I was done with this man. 

Just then, my phone buzzed signifying a new message.

It was from Damian.

"The wedding ring I picked out for you is ready at the jewelry store in New York. Stop by to try it on when you have the chance. I hope you like it."