Chapter 2

I glanced lazily at the seven-figure ring on Lucia's finger, then locked eyes with Enzo.

"Exactly what I said. You gave her the real thing and tried to hand me the free gift. So what, I only deserve the cheap stuff?"

Enzo's face went awkward. Guess he didn't expect me to call it out like that.

But Lucia jumped right in, all wounded.

"Don't be upset, Sofia," she said. "Enzo only gave me the ring because he knew how much I loved it. If it bothers you, I'll give it back right now.

"Please don't fight with Enzo over me. I'm not worth it."

She said all that, but her hands didn't move an inch. She just stared at Enzo with big teary eyes, letting the tears fall one by one.

Enzo pulled her into his arms like she was made of glass and shot me a dirty look.

"Lucia, ignore her," he said. "That ring is yours.

"She's always like this. Loves picking fights over nothing."

I watched them for a second, then went back to staring at my screen.

That made Enzo even angrier.

He put his arm around Lucia and headed for the door. Right before leaving, he shoved the door wide open and stood there looking at me.

I knew what he was doing. Waiting for me to cave. Waiting for me to give him an easy way out.

That's how it always went.

I'd bend first. And every time, he'd push a little further.

Not this time. I didn't even look up.

I just added the few million he'd spent on Lucia's ring to the asset division.

Seeing that, Enzo slammed the door behind him.

Not long after they left, my parents called.

Wanted me to come over for dinner.

I said yes. And ran into Enzo right outside the Conti house.

He looked a little uncomfortable when he saw me, but he played it cool.

"Going in together?"

I nodded and walked in.

Dinner was painfully awkward. My parents were still upset about what happened at the wedding, so they weren't exactly warm with Enzo.

A while back, I would've tried to smooth things over.

But now? I just let him sit there uncomfortable.

After we finished eating, I was about to call a car when Enzo pulled up right in front of me. I opened the passenger door and saw a sticker on the seat: "Lucia's Seat."

Enzo cleared his throat. "She insisted on putting it there," he said. "It's not like you ride with me that often."

I nodded. "Makes sense. Young girl stuff."

He frowned, about to say something else when my phone rang.

I ignored him and answered my texts.

By the time I was done, we were parked outside some villa.

The second I got out, Lucia threw herself into Enzo's arms.

"Enzo, I missed you so much."

He looked embarrassed with me standing right there, and stopped her before she could kiss his cheek.

"All right, all right," he said. "You're not a kid anymore."

Lucia shot me a smug look. "Doesn't mean I'm not still your girl."

I didn't have the energy for their little act. I just walked in.

Right by the entrance, a digital screen was cycling through photos.

All of Lucia and Enzo.

Cuddled up watching the sunrise. Eating dinner together. And at the very end, a shot of them making out.

I barely got two looks in before Enzo rushed over.

"Sofia, none of those are real," he said. "Trust me, don't get upset."

I turned to him. Saw the guilt flicker across his eyes.

"Okay," I said. "Looks good."

He frowned deeper. "Sofia, you're not mad?"

"Nope."

Right then, my phone rang. Some official about the estate transfer.

I stepped aside to take the call and left Enzo standing there.

When I got back to the hall, Enzo was shielding Lucia and tearing into someone else.

From what I could piece together, the guy had accidentally spilled a little wine on Lucia's dress. Enzo was screaming at him to apologize.

I watched it happen and remembered something from years ago.

Enzo and I were at a big family gala. As we passed the champagne tower in the middle of the room, Lucia shoved me.

I lost my balance and crashed right into it.

Glasses shattered everywhere. Champagne mixed with blood running down my body.

I looked at Enzo for help. And he laid into me in front of everyone.

"Can't you watch where you're going?" he yelled. "You didn't see a giant champagne tower right in front of you?

"And you had to fall into it? Do you have any idea how important tonight is? I don't know why someone so useless is even still breathing.

"If I were you, I'd find the nearest wall and put my head through it."

I pulled myself back to the present.

Stood there watching him lose his mind over a few drops of wine.

It was almost funny.

So I turned around and walked out.