جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 9

Charlotte Winston came over to us, holding a glass of champagne. Luca's arm was still wrapped around my waist.She was two years younger than him. They had grown up together, and everyone thought they would end up together until I came along.Then two became three.I used to think she was my closest friend. I also thought she and Luca were only friends."Nicole." Charlotte walked up and leaned down to hug me.The dark brown pouring off her was heavy. It was the color of hurt and resentment.I slowly pulled away and caught her staring at Luca. She quickly looked away.Her familiar smile was still in place as she raised her glass to him in a casual toast. "Finally engaged. I can tell you're happy today.""Those earrings you're wearing today..." Luca looked at her and paused for a moment. "Are they the ones I gave you?"The teardrop diamond earrings sparkled under the lights."It's your engagement party," she said, biting her lip. "Of course I wore my best."Luca said nothing.His eyes fe

I pushed open the terrace doors and let the cold October air rush in. I leaned against the railing and took a deep breath.Inside the banquet hall, Luca rested a hand on Charlotte's lower back as they talked and laughed with the guests.Under the lights, their shadows blended together. They looked like they belonged together, in a picture that had no place for me.They had grown up together and had twenty-nine years of history. They had shared countless nights and mornings that I had never been part of.I was the foster daughter of Luca's father, Vittorio Vitali. Luca and I had known each other for only five years.I had never doubted that Luca cared about me. Everything he did for me seemed sincere.From the wedding dress and the ring to the honeymoon destination, he took care of every detail, as if he wanted to give me the best of everything.When he proposed, candy pink filled the air. It was so intense that I believed no one in the world could love me more.But I had forgotten one

"Come on, don't be mad. It was all my fault. I swear it'll never happen again! Tomorrow I'm flying to Northport to sign a contract. The trip will take about five days. When I get back, we'll get married. I can't wait."I gently pulled away from Luca's arms. He patted my head and spoke gently. "Get some rest. I've got some paperwork to go through tonight, so I won't be staying."He hurried away, clearly eager to leave. I watched him go and chuckled.Luca didn't know it yet. There wouldn't be a next time.The next day, I started receiving photos of Luca and Charlotte traveling around Northport together.In every photo, the two of them were always close together.They went on a luxury cruise, walked along a romantic beach, and dined at five-star restaurants. They went everywhere together.They kissed under the fireworks, played together in the ocean, and Luca even took her to a church.She wore a wedding gown. He knelt in front of her. The diamond on the ring was blinding.So this was the

St. Mary's Cathedral was packed. Luca stood at the end of the red carpet in a tailored suit.The organ began to play. He wore the gentle smile he had practiced countless times, waiting for the woman he was sure would appear.One second. Two seconds. No one appeared at the other end of the carpet.Luca's smile froze. Beside him, Charlotte could barely hide her joy.Luca was about to ask the officiant to stall when every light in the cathedral suddenly went dark. A moment later, the massive screens around the cathedral lit up.Moans filled the cathedral, loud enough to make every guest go red. Then came Luca's voice, unmistakable."After the wedding, I'll send her abroad. I'll make sure she never has a reason to come back. I'm only marrying her for the inheritance. My heart belongs to you, Charlotte."The footage showed Luca and Charlotte kissing on the darkened terrace, their trip on the cruise, and his proposal to her at the church.On the screen, Luca knelt in front of Charlotte and s

The night the Vitali family went bankrupt, it was pouring.The power was out in the old mansion. Only the dying fire gave off a little light in the darkness.Charlotte threw the last of her designer bags into a suitcase, each one hitting it with a thud. "The Winston family is finished. The Vitali family is ruined! All because of that bitch! And you're still sitting here thinking about her! Luca, I should have left you a long time ago!"Luca sat on the dusty floor, holding the wedding ring that should have been mine.He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with anger."Leave?" He got to his feet and slowly walked toward her. His voice was low and cold. "You want to leave now, Charlotte? Who begged me to marry her? Who cried and said she couldn't live without me?""That was when you were still the Vitali heir!" Charlotte let out a shrill laugh that was almost frightening. "I thought we'd have everything! But look at us now! Nicole... she's a monster!""Shut up!" Luca grabbed her by the th