Semua Bab His Brother's Bride To-Be : Bab 51 - Bab 60

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS••Roman••I glanced at the caller ID: Theo. Although we had no plans for the day, Theo rarely called without a purpose. I paused for just a moment before picking up the phone. Theo's voice was quick to reach me—tense and tinged with regret. “Sorry to bother you.” “You already have,” I replied. “What’s going on?” There was a brief, weighted silence. “I found something. Genuine information.” My jaw tightened. “About what?” “The secret,” Theo began. “The one you overheard in Don Lorenzo’s office. The one you asked me to investigate.” A chill crept into my chest. “What is it?” I inquired. As Theo spoke, I halted in my tracks. The vibrant sounds of the surrounding world—the laughter from the rink, the grinding of skates, the faint music—all dulled, like someone gradually turning down the volume. I gripped the phone more tightly. Theo continued, and I simply stood there, entranced by his words. Something shifted within me, a profound realization settling in, li

SHE IS BECOMING A LIABILITY ••Roman••The flight back to Russia was quiet in a way that made my chest feel tight.Luciana boarded first, took her seat, and put on her headset before the engines even started. She did even glance in my direction. Just distance, clean and deliberate. She angled her body toward the window and sat their quietly looking out the windows, like I wasn’t there at all.I understood the message.I didn’t try to speak nor reach for her. I let the silence sit between us, heavy and cold, because anything I said now would either be too late or not enough. Maybe both.Hours passed like that. The hum of the jet. The occasional shift of her legs. Her fingers tapping lightly against her thigh to music only she could hear. Once, I caught myself watching the reflection of her face in the window. Calm and closed off. A woman who had already decided to protect herself.By the time we landed, the distance felt permanent. The car ride to the estate was the same. She stared ahe

DELAYED EXPLANATION••Luciana••“My sweatshirt looks good on you.” His voice slipped into the space between us like it had every right to be there.I just know I will not be the one to break the silence, and he silently took the offer and said something first.I didn't answer, I just kept walking.The hallway felt longer than usual, each step measured, and the sound of footsteps were audible enough. I pretended not to hear him. Silence was easier than saying the wrong thing.“How are you doing?” he asked.I stopped walking and turned just enough to look at him. “Do I have to report that to you too?”His jaw tightened for a second before he relaxed it. “Where are you going?”I faced forward again and continued walking. The answer stayed locked behind my teeth.“We have an event tomorrow,” he said after a moment. “You need to come with me.”“I do not want to go.”“You know you have to, Luciana.” His voice stayed calm and controlled. “We cannot continue like this. It is not what you thin

PIECE OF MY MIND••Luciana••“I’m really sorry, Luci,” Roman said softly.I sniffed. My chest hurt like someone had pressed a heavy stone into it. “It’s not your fault,” I whispered.“Please don’t cry,” he said. “It hurts me.”He lifted his hand and wiped my face gently. His touch was weak but warm.My heart felt shattered. Not just broken. Shattered. And all that rage inside me had only one name now.Lorenzo Orlov.“It’s fine,” I managed to say. “I feel bad blaming you all this while.”“You had the right to,” he replied. “After all, it’s my father. I’m just sorry this family caused you pain.” His voice was so soft, so tired, that I almost started crying again.“Please sleep, Roman,” I said. “I want to too.”He drifted off easily. His warm breath brushed my skin. His body relaxed against mine. I just stayed awake. There's no way sleep will come with all these emotions I'm feeling. My thoughts were loud. I wouldn’t let this slide.I would face Lorenzo. Mafia boss or not. My Husband's

FAMILY TIES ••Luciana••The soft sound of Roman clearing his throat pulled me out of sleep. I blinked and lifted my head slowly. My neck felt stiff. The book was still open on my lap, and I realized I must have dozed off again.He was sitting up slightly against the pillows, watching me.“Sleeping beauty,” he said with a grin.“How long have you been awake?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.“Long enough to watch you enjoy your sweet sleep.”“I didn’t sleep deep,” I said quickly.“You were drooling.”“I was not!”He laughed. “Relax. I’m joking.”I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re enjoying this too much.”“I have been stuck in this bed with nothing to do. Let me enjoy my free entertainment.”“So I’m your entertainment now?”“You, that book, and the ceiling. You rank number one currently.”“I just discovered something, I wonder how I didn't notice all this time.” he said suddenly.“What?” I asked, thinking it was something serious.“You won’t like it if I say it.”“You’ve already started, so f