The Temporary Wife: Luca and Valentina's Story(113)
“No,” I tell him as I pull my wrists out of his hold. “But if you fuck me, I’m willing to talk about it.”
He growls as he pulls away a little to undo his suit trousers, but just as the button comes undone, a knock on my door interrupts us. “Goddamn it,” he murmurs. “I’m firing whoever is at the other end of this fucking door.”
He runs a hand through his hair and straightens out his clothes while I do the same, both of us equally frustrated. We’re both so busy that we often pass out by the time we actually get home. These office hook-ups have become the highlight of our days.
“Come in,” I call as I sit down behind my desk, Luca by my side, his arm on the back of my chair.
We both tense when three men walk into my office, and Luca’s stance turns protective. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he growls. “I thought I told you not to show up here without an appointment?”
I stare in shock at my father, and vaguely recognize the two men with him. One of them is Hugo Garcia, the chairman of the Garcia family’s empire, and my father’s older cousin. He is the real power behind the family, yet he doesn’t appear in public very often. Seeing him here is shocking enough, but it’s the younger man that has me raising a hand to my heart in surprise. Mateo Garcia… my younger brother. I’ve caught glimpses of him at events before, but we’ve never been quite this close before.
“I came bearing both gifts and apologies,” Hugo tells my husband, a polite smile on his face. He turns to me then and places his hand on my father’s shoulder. “I’ve been calling, but you keep declining my calls, Luca.”
Mateo glances at our father, and my eyes widen when he kicks the back of his legs, bringing him to his knees harshly on my cold marble office floor. “Apologize to my sister or this is the last you’ll see of me,” he murmurs, his voice soft, as though he didn’t want me to hear.
Hugo clears his throat and glances at me apologetically. “When our corporation suddenly received several blows from the Windsor family, we were at a loss,” he tells me. “As far as I knew, we hadn’t done anything to offend the Windsors, so I set out to investigate what happened. It took a while, but eventually, I got to the truth. Valentina, words cannot make up for the pain and loss you were forced to suffer. Nothing matters more to me than family, and I’d like you to know that your father’s behavior has nothing to do with me, or the rest of the Garcia family. We do not support or condone the way he’s treated you, and while I understand that you may want nothing to do with us, I’d love nothing more than a chance to get to know you. As your uncle, I would like you to know that there will always be a place for you by my side. I understand that you’re married now, but to me, you will always be a Garcia.”
Mateo walks up to my desk, his gaze filled with the same remorse that’s in his uncle’s eyes. “I never knew about you,” he says, his voice soft. “If I’d known I had an older sister, I never would’ve stood by and let things be. You wouldn’t know this, but I’ve quietly admired you for years. You were an inspiration to me long before I found out that we’re related, and if you’d give me a chance, I’d really like to get to know you. I will respect whatever choice you make, but I want you to know that these aren’t just empty words. Both my uncle and I would like to make up for what happened.”
He hands me a stack of documents, a shaky smile on his face. Luca’s hand wraps around my shoulder as I stare at the papers, my eyes widening. “You’re giving me shares to Garcia Ltd and ReInsure?”
Hugo nods. “You’re a Garcia. Your father’s shares have been redistributed between you and your brother, as they rightfully should have been. Even if you want absolutely nothing to do with us, this is the least we can do for you. Of course, I hope you’ll take this as a token of goodwill and give us a chance. We’ve missed out on so much already, and I’m not getting any younger. I may never be able to take your father’s place, but if you let me, I’d like to be part of your life.”
I stare at the documents and look up at him. “Clever,” I murmur. “The Garcia shares are a true gift, I’ll admit that much, but ReInsure? Giving me that means I’ll have to salvage and rebuild it, or it’ll be my loss.”
Hugo grins at me. “Truthfully, I’m not to blame for that. Your husband told me the only way I’m allowed to so much as speak to you is if I give you everything your father gained by walking away from you, right down to the land that ReInsure’s headquarters were built on. Of course I hope you’ll rebuild it, but it truly is up to you. The Garcia family isn’t so weak that we can’t sustain the loss of one single company amongst everything we own. If you want to blow the whole thing up, I’ll make that happen for you. Since you’re a Garcia, I have no doubt you’re every bit as temperamental as your little brother is. Perhaps that would appease you a little.”
I lean back in my seat and shake my head. “If I damage the company any further, it’ll affect the employees, and they’ve never wronged me.” I look up at my uncle and smile coldly. “I’ll turn it into Windsor Insurance.”
I expected him to be offended, but he merely smiles at me and nods. “Whatever you want, Valentina. It’s yours.”
Mateo nudges our father with his foot, and I stare at him, surprised to find this prideful man on his knees. “I apologize,” he says, sounding pained. His apology sounds empty, as though he’s merely sorry he got caught but doesn’t regret the pain he caused. I always thought it was the entire Garcia family that rejected me. It never even occurred to me that it was just my father and his parents, and I’m not sure what to think about.