BOUNDARIES

Lucia De Rossi stood in the doorway like a verdict.

Tall. Elegant. Glacial. Wrapped in a pearl-hued coat that probably cost more than Aria’s tuition, she didn’t need to speak to command the room. Her presence alone stole the air from it.

Aria straightened instinctively, smoothing her dress like she was the one being judged.

“Lucia,” Luca said, voice low but firm.

“Don’t Lucia me,” she replied coolly, her eyes never leaving Aria. “I asked for her, not you.”

Maria glanced at Aria, as if Aria needed a life vest. Eva, still barefoot in a robe, froze by the staircase.

Aria swallowed and stepped forward. “I’m Aria. You wanted to speak with me?”

Lucia’s gaze swept over her from bare feet to the soft swell of her belly. The disdain was unmasked.

“Alone,” she ordered.

Luca moved instantly, blocking the space between them. “That’s not going to happen.”

His voice carried steel. But Lucia didn’t flinch.

“I didn’t fly ten hours to be treated like a shareholder,” she said crisply. “Stay if you must, but do not interfere.”

He didn’t move.

Aria touched his arm lightly. “It’s fine. I want to hear her out.”

She didn’t, but she needed to.

Lucia entered the sitting room like she owned it, settling onto the couch with elegance that cut like glass.

“You’re carrying my grandchild,” she said directly. “Let’s dispense with pleasantries.”

“I didn’t think we were exchanging any,” Aria replied.

A flicker of amusement or irritation ghosted across Lucia’s lips.

“I’m here because this arrangement has spilled too far. The press is circling. The university whispers are spreading. Our name is being dragged through message boards like a tabloid circus.”

Aria’s fists clenched. “I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t post anything. I didn’t even know his last name was De Rossi until everyone else did.”

“You’re young,” Lucia said. “But I assumed you were smart.”

“No,” Aria snapped. “You want to talk? Let’s talk. I’m not here to steal your fortune or trap your son. I didn’t come begging. He offered a contract. I signed, end of story.”

“Contracts can be rewritten,” Lucia said smoothly.

Aria narrowed her eyes. “What are you suggesting?”

Lucia slid a slim envelope from her coat. “I’m offering you freedom. Walk away now. Quietly. Before the child is born. The foundation will set you up for life. Anonymity. Comfort. No scandal. No headlines.”

Aria’s heart pounded. “You want me to disappear?”

“I want to protect my family’s legacy. And my son. You’re… a complication.”

Silence fell. Aria’s hand moved to her belly whether out of instinct or defiance, she wasn’t certain. Then, she gave a bitter smile.

“You think I’m a problem because I’m not one of you. Because I didn’t come from old names or cold marble halls. But hear me, Mrs. De Rossi” she met her gaze squarely, “I’m not afraid of you. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Lucia’s eyes didn’t waver. “You’ll regret that.”

“No,” Luca’s voice cut in dark as a blade. “You will.”

Aria startled. His hand pressed gently against her back, grounding her, but his eyes, fixed on his mother, were merciless.

“This child is mine. And Aria isn’t going anywhere unless she chooses. Not now. Not ever.”

Lucia blinked once, then rose. “This isn’t over.”

“It already is,” Luca said coldly.

The door clicked shut behind her, the sound like a gunshot in the silence.

Eva let out a low breath. “Okay. That was straight out of a soap opera.”

Maria muttered a prayer in Italian and fled to the kitchen.

Aria didn’t move. Her legs trembled beneath her.

“You didn’t have to take that,” Luca said quietly.

“Yes, I did.” Her voice was steady. “She needed to see I’m not just a womb with a price tag.”

His eyes softened. “She doesn’t matter.”

“She matters to you,” Aria whispered. “And she’s not wrong about the rumors. People at school call me your bought girl. That I sold my soul.”

His jaw flexed. “I’ll shut it all down.”

“No,” she snapped. “You can’t fix this with money or threats. Not this time.”

“Then what do you want me to do?” The edge in his tone slipped out.

She didn’t answer. She didn’t know; she only felt small. Judged. Exposed.

“I need space,” she whispered, stepping back.

He didn’t follow.

Night fell heavily.

Eva had gone out to give herself time. Maria stayed in the kitchen. Luca never knocked.

Alone in bed, Aria curled around her belly. The baby kicked softly, a tether to a future she wasn’t sure she’d chosen.

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: You don’t know me, but we need to talk. Luca isn’t who you think he is.

Her stomach dropped.

Another message followed.

Meet me tomorrow. No guards. No cameras. If you care about your future, come alone.

Aria stared at the screen, pulse hammering.

This wasn’t gossip anymore.

It was a warning.