Chapter 5

Scarlett’s POV

I returned to Sinclair’s mansion praying Romano wasn’t back from whichever whore he had spent the night with, but my luck ran out the moment I stepped into the living room.

He was there.

Sitting in his usual spot, reading a newspaper like nothing in the world could shake him. I should have predicted that.

“Good morning, babe,” I greeted awkwardly, forcing my voice to sound normal.

He didn’t respond. He only lifted his head slowly and looked at me. And I got nervous.

Even though Romano had given me permission to sleep with another man, I didn’t want him to know that I actually did. I still needed to maintain the image of the graceful, untouchable trophy wife in his eyes. That was why I had changed into loose pants and a hoodie at the mall before coming home, covering the marks on my skin that screamed I had been thoroughly fucked all night by a devastatingly handsome young man.

“Where have you been, Scarlett?” he asked, dropping the newspaper. His expression was unreadable.

My mind scrambled for a lie. I didn’t speak until I settled on one that sounded believable.

“I was at Cecilia’s place,” I said smoothly.

“Why Cecilia’s place?”

“After you dropped me last night, I called her to pick me up. Since we hadn’t seen each other in a long time, I decided to sleep over at hers,” I replied, my lie flowing as smoothly as butter. I watched him study me.

With Romano, I had learned something important, lies were often more acceptable than the truth. So I had become very good at lying.

“Okay.”

“Oh, then I should go prepare for work since—”

“You’re not going to work today. I called your father and told him you wouldn’t be available,” he cut in. I stared at him, confused.

I wanted to scream and demand why he would do that. My job was the only thing in my life that felt like mine, the only source of genuine joy I had left. But like always, I swallowed my displeasure.

“Why?” I asked carefully.

“My eldest son is coming back to the country, and we’re hosting him tonight,” he said, and my mind went blank.

I had thought I knew every member of Romano’s family. My father had forced me to memorize their family tree before the arranged marriage. But he had never mentioned another son. I only knew about his twins.

“You have another son apart from Marco?” I asked, stunned. He simply nodded. No explanation. Just like always.

“Yes. So prepare for the feast tonight. Some family members will be joining us,” he added. My heart sank hearing we would have company.

Most of Romano’s relatives despised me. They believed I was nothing more than a gold digger. Whenever they visited, they took every opportunity to belittle me. The first year had been unbearable. I used to report everything to Romano, but when I realized he wouldn’t defend me, I changed.

Instead of being the pitiful princess everyone trampled on while waiting for a prince charming, I became the thorn that pricked anyone who dared to touch.

“Okay. I’ll handle it,” I replied calmly.

I went upstairs to freshen up. As I undressed for my bath, my eyes landed on the scattered hickeys decorating my skin. Heat rushed through me as memories of last night replayed vividly in my mind..the passion, the hunger, the way he had touched me.

I wanted to relive it again and again. But I couldn’t.

“And I’m back to this miserable life,” I muttered. Evening came quickly. Everything was ready. The house was perfectly arranged as we waited for the guests.

“Hello, Dad’s wife,” Sierra beamed sarcastically as she walked in with her twin brother. Romano’s children, Sierra and Marco.

I was only a few years older than them, but they were spoiled beyond measure. Sometimes I envied them. Romano might have been a terrible husband, but he was a good father to them, something I had never experienced growing up with my own deadbeat father.

“Welcome, you two must be—” Before I could finish, Sierra tossed her bag at me. “Take it upstairs. I’m too tired to go,” she said dismissively. I let the bag drop to the floor.

“Oops. It fell.”

“You bitch! You did that on purpose!” she screamed, storming toward Romano’s study to complain, but I grabbed her arm.

“Your father is busy. Don’t disturb him,” I rasped.

We all knew how explosive Romano could get when interrupted.

“Fine. But I’m still going to tell everyone what a bitch you are,” she snapped.

“Maybe I am,” I whispered coldly. “But don’t forget this bitch is your mother now.” Her face went pale, I could be vicious too.

“Don’t forget that, okay?” I added softly, patting her head with a sweet but sinister smile, as I watched her storm off.

I sighed in relief, until I turned and saw Marco staring at me, not normally. His eyes were filled with something dark.

“Marco, can you stop that? I’m your mother,” I snapped. He blinked but didn’t look ashamed. Instead, he stepped closer with a smug expression.

“You should be nice to me, Mother,” he whispered. “Because after my dad dies, you’ll be at my mercy.” Then he walked away.

I dug my nails into my palm, trying to suppress the rage boiling inside me. What kind of family had I married into?

“Madam, I think you should get dressed. The guests will arrive soon,” a maid reminded me gently.

I hurried to my room and changed into a short dinner dress. I packed my hair into a bun and applied light makeup, making sure I looked every inch the perfect lady of the house.

When I walked into the dining room, it was already full. Romano’s family members were seated around the long table. Their presence was overwhelming, and it distracted me enough that I didn’t immediately notice the unfamiliar man sitting at the far end.

“Good evening, everyone,” I greeted cheerfully, they ignored me like always.

“Scarlett, come here,” Romano called, flashing a boyish grin. I walked toward him carefully.

“Why were you late? I already introduced Xavier to everyone,” he whispered.

Xavier? Before I could process that name, Romano spoke again.

“Xavier, this is the last person left to introduce my wife, Scarlett Sinclair. The lady of the house.” I turned, and when I saw his face, I forgot how to breathe.

Those familiar blue eyes.

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

But Romano’s next words nearly knocked me unconscious.

“Scarlett, this is Xavier, my eldest son.”

The world tilted. I watched him rise from his seat and walk toward me, composed and unreadable. Panic surged through me like wildfire.

The man I had slept with last night..was my husband’s son.

I nearly lost my balance when he stopped in front of me. His face was stoic, controlled, nothing like the passionate man who had ruined me hours ago.

I quickly looked away, trying to gather myself.

He looked indifferent. Maybe… maybe he didn’t recognize me. That had to be it.

The bar had been dimly lit. The hotel room had been chaotic. We had been too busy tearing each other’s clothes off to truly study each other's faces. Yes, that was plausible. As that thought settled in, I forced myself to relax.

“Can you stop acting like a ghost and greet him properly?” Romano said sharply, and I exhaled slowly.

“I’m sorry… I just…” I forced a smile. “Welcome back. I’m happy to finally meet you.” He didn’t smile back.

Cold…Just like his father.

“Hello,” he said calmly, extending his hand.

I had no choice but to take it. Everyone was watching.

The moment our hands touched, my pulse spiked.

Then suddenly, he pulled me into a hug. My breath hitched as his lips brushed my ear.

“Call boy, huh?” he whispered. My entire body froze.

He knew…I was completely screwed..