Chapter 3: The Weight of Silence

The patio table was a battlefield of half-eaten pastries and cooling coffee, but the real war was happening under the surface.

Sofia sat cross-legged on her chair, scrolling through photos from last night on her phone, laughing at blurry selfies. “Look at this Marco looks like he’s about to fall into the pool. And you, Val, you’re glowing in that red dress. Seriously, you should wear red more often.”

I managed a weak smile, poking at a croissant I had no intention of eating. “Maybe.”

Luca sat across from us, newspaper open but unread, eyes flicking between the pages and me every few seconds. Each glance felt like a spark against dry tinder.

He hadn’t spoken to me since the kitchen. Not a word. Just that long, unblinking look when Sofia wasn’t watching—like he was memorizing the exact shade of guilt on my face.

I hated how aware I was of him. The way his fingers curled around the mug. The faint shadow of stubble along his jaw. The slow, deliberate way he breathed, as if he was holding himself back from something.

Sofia nudged me with her elbow. “Earth to Val. You’re zoning out again.”

“Sorry.” I forced my eyes to her. “Just tired.”

“You said that already.” She tilted her head. “You sure you’re okay? You’ve been weird since the party started.”

Luca’s gaze lifted. Sharp. Waiting.

My pulse jumped. “I’m fine. Promise.”

Sofia studied me a moment longer, then shrugged. “Okay. But if it’s a guy, tell me. I’ll handle it.”

Luca’s jaw ticked. Almost imperceptibly.

I swallowed. “No guy.”

“Liar,” she teased, but there was no heat in it. She stood, stretching. “I’m gonna shower and change. Dad, you’re driving me to brunch with the girls later, right?”

Luca nodded once. “Two o’clock.”

“Perfect.” She leaned down, kissed the top of his head casual, daughterly and ruffled my hair on her way past. “Don’t let him bore you with the newspaper, Val.”

The door to the house clicked shut behind her.

Silence crashed in.

Luca folded the newspaper with slow precision. Set it aside. Leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes locked on mine.

“You’re avoiding me,” he said quietly.

“I’m sitting right here.”

“You’re looking everywhere but at me.”

I forced myself to meet his gaze. Mistake. Those storm-gray eyes pulled me under like they had last night.

“What do you want me to say?” I whispered.

“The truth.”

“The truth is I shouldn’t be here.”

“You’re Sofia’s best friend. You’ve been here a hundred times.”

“Not like this.”

He exhaled through his nose. “No. Not like this.”

The air between us thickened. I could feel the heat radiating off him even across the table.

He stood. Moved around the table with that same unhurried grace that made my stomach clench. Stopped beside my chair.

Too close.

I didn’t move.

His hand settled on the back of my chair light, but I felt it like a brand. “Tell me to leave you alone, Valentina.”

I closed my eyes. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Because saying it would make it real. Because part of me didn’t want him to stop.

His fingers brushed the nape of my neck barely there. I shivered.

“Open your eyes,” he murmured.

I did.

He was closer now. Leaned down, voice low against my ear. “You’re shaking again.”

“I know.”

His thumb traced the line of my spine slow, deliberate. “You know what happens if we keep doing this.”

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

I swallowed. “Ruin.”

His breath fanned my skin. “And yet here you are.”

I turned my head slightly. Our faces were inches apart. I could see the flecks of silver in his irises. The faint scar above his eyebrow. The way his pupils had blown wide.

One move. One breath. And we’d cross the line we’d only brushed last night.

The patio door opened.

Sofia’s voice floated out. “Val! Have you seen my”

We sprang apart.

Luca straightened, stepping back as if nothing had happened. I gripped the arms of the chair, heart hammering.

Sofia appeared, phone in hand. “Never mind. Found it.” She glanced between us, frowning. “You two okay? You look weird.”

Luca cleared his throat. “Fine.”

I nodded too quickly. “Fine.”

Sofia’s eyes narrowed. “Okay… I’m grabbing water. Don’t kill each other while I’m gone.”

She disappeared again.

Luca looked at me. “This isn’t sustainable.”

“I know.”

“We need to talk. Really talk.”

“When?”

“Tonight. After she’s asleep.”

My breath caught. “Luca ”

“Guest house. Midnight.”

“That’s”

“Too dangerous?” He arched a brow. “Or not dangerous enough?”

I stared at him. At the challenge in his eyes. At the hunger he wasn’t bothering to hide anymore.

I should say no. I should run. I should tell Sofia everything and let the fallout happen.

But the word that came out was soft. Barely audible.

“Okay.”

His mouth curved just a flicker. Not a smile. Something darker.

“Good girl,” he murmured.

Then he walked away, leaving me trembling in the sunlight.

I pressed my thighs together, trying to ease the ache that had started low in my belly.

Midnight.

One more line to cross.

And God help me I was already counting the hours.