The Temporary Wife: Luca and Valentina's Story(67)

I frown at him, my anger rising. “It’s been eight years, Ben. Why would I treat you warmly when you walked in here out of nowhere and are competing with me for my dream job? I see your ego is still as inflated as ever. Who do you think you are? The only reason I agreed to speak with you is so I could put these delusions to rest. I have no interest in reminiscing.”

He looks at me as though he doesn’t believe me, and I suppose his disbelieve is warranted. He’s right. I do feel resentment and hate, and for a few moments, my heart did waver. Seeing him made my feelings come rushing back, but it was very fleeting.

“Is it because of Luca Windsor? He’s the one that was with you on the dance floor, wasn’t he? Are you seeing him?”

I grit my teeth for a moment as I try to decide how to answer him. “Didn’t you see the women I was with? They’re Luca’s sister and sister-in-law. Do you really think they’d be left fully unattended?”

Somehow, I don’t want to hide our marriage right now. It’s petty, but I want Ben to know that I ended up marrying a man far better than he could ever hope to be, but if I provoke him in that manner, he’ll just have the last laugh when we divorce. It isn’t worth it.

He looks away for a moment and nods, as though that makes perfect sense. I suppose it’s too hard for him to even imagine Luca and me truly being together. It makes me feel far more bitter than it should.

“I want you back,” he says, his voice soft. “I was young and foolish, and I didn’t realize what I had. I know I don’t deserve it, but there’s nothing I won’t do for another chance with you.”

I frown at him, irritated. “Dating you was, and always will be, one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.”

I’m on the verge of telling him I’m married, but if anyone found out about us now, it’d hurt my chances. Nepotism is all fine when it’s Stephen and his son, but it’d be a different story if anyone found out about Luca and me.

“Would you give me another chance if I walk away from this job? All I’m asking for is dinner. Just give me one evening with you.”

A startled laugh escapes my lips, and his eyes widen in surprise. “You pompous entitled ass,” I tell him, my anger overflowing. “The fact that you think you stand a chance at getting this job when I’m your opponent means you don’t know me at all. I don’t need you to walk away because you pose no real threat to me, you self-righteous, condescending asshole.”

I didn’t think that I’d have so much clarity when facing him, and I wish I’d been this decisive last night. It’s true that he reminds me of the reasons I’m no longer looking for love, but it isn’t because I have feelings for him. It’s because he reminds me of the inevitable pain that comes with opening your heart up to someone.

I roll my eyes as I rise to my feet. “I never want to speak about this again,” I warn him. “You and I are done, and it’ll remain that way.” I feel his gaze on me as I walk out, but for the first time since we broke up, I feel a sense of closure.





Chapter Forty-Two





Luca

“What do you think of Azure as a target?” Valentina asks, her tone as matter-of-factly as always. I took her out on a date under the guise of helping her prepare for the battle she’s about to face, and it’s fucking ridiculous. I shouldn’t have to come up with excuses to take my own wife out on a date, yet here I am. With each passing day, she makes me want more. Valentina makes me crave things I swore I’d never want.

I run a hand through my hair and take a steadying breath. “It’s an option, but they’re known for having a heavily diversified portfolio. They’d invest, but not to the level you’d need.”

She is still the exact same person she’s always been — heartless and cold as ice. What I thought was her biggest asset has swiftly become the biggest obstacle. Am I crazy for wanting her to look at me with that warm gaze of hers outside of bed? Have I truly lost my mind? I must have, because I want all of her.

“I wish they hadn’t banned me from participating. I’d have invested my own funds,” I murmur.

Valentina shakes her head. “No. I can do this. I don’t need you to—”

“— I know,” I cut her off, my hand wrapping over hers. “I know you don’t need me, but I want to be the one you rely on. I’m your husband. Sometimes it seems like you forget that.”

She pulls her hand away from mine and places it in her lap, her eyes on her plate. She seems colder lately, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because of Ben.

“Luca,” she says, her tone apprehensive. “This marriage is temporary. I can’t keep relying on you. Doesn’t it feel like our time together is flying by? I need to learn to stand on my own two feet.”

I look away and grit my teeth. “Why are you so eager to leave me?”

“I’m not,” she says, her tone emotionless. “But like any business deal, this will come to an end, eventually. I think it’s best that we don’t complicate things more than we already have. I don’t want our lives to be intertwined any further. Once this is all over, I want a life of my own, without being tied down by the past. For as long as I can remember, my life hasn’t been mine. I’ve always lived for someone else, and I don’t want to do that anymore.”