The Temporary Wife: Luca and Valentina's Story(85)

She looks at me curiously.

“Can we forget about the contract?” I ask, my entire body tense with nerves. Her eyes widen, and insecurity drowns out the love I saw in her gaze just moments ago. “There are no guarantees in life, Valentina. It’s true that some things just don’t work out, but that’s no reason to live in fear or anticipation of the worst. I understand that what I’m asking for is hard for you, baby. I know what you’re so afraid of, but your fears will never come to pass. I will never stop loving you, and I will never betray you. I’ll never want anyone other than you.”

She looks down at her hands, her expression conveying her torment. How do I convince her to give us an honest chance? “When we first got married, I was convinced that a transactional marriage would be best for us. I thought that it would be best for the terms of our agreement to be clear so that there would be no risk of confusion or getting hurt, but I’ve come to realize that life isn’t all black and white. If it’s you, I’m willing to risk it all. I’m willing to bet that you don’t just want me because I’m a Windsor, and that we’ll be happy together even if there’s nothing tying us together anymore. I’m choosing to believe that you’d be with me, even if I lost it all. In return, will you put your faith in me and our marriage? Will you give us a chance? Please give me a chance to prove that I will always choose you, no matter what choice I’m faced with.”

My wife stares at me, and it’s like time just stops. Never before have I felt this nervous. Never before have the stakes been this high. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want her unconditional love. I’m not certain my heart can take the blow if she tells me no.

“That wasn’t what we agreed on,” she says, her gaze pleading. “We said that we’d end things at the end of our contract term, even if we think we’re in love.”

“Fuck the agreement,” I tell her, my words rushed and passionate. “Forget about it, baby. It’s rooted in fear and mistrust, and those things should never exist between us. I could board a plane tomorrow that’ll never land, Valentina. There truly are no guarantees in life, except for this one: for as long as I live, I will love you.”

She looks down at her wedding ring and inhales shakily. “Then promise me that you’ll never leave me, Luca. Promise me that you’ll fight for us, even when I inevitably push you away because fear got the best of me. Promise me that you won’t give up on us, even when it looks like there’s no hope left.”

I smile at her and lift her hand to my lips. “I promise that the only thing I won’t ever do for you is let you go. No matter what.”

She nods, despite the obvious fear in her gaze, and relief washes over me. She’s giving us a chance, and I’ll make sure she never regrets it.





Chapter Fifty-Three





Valentina

My heart is racing as I walk into my office wearing my wedding ring, for the very first time. So far, no one has noticed it, and if they have, they haven’t said anything at all. I’m not sure if that fills me with relief or disappointment.

I’m scared about the backlash we might face, especially since we’re admitting to being married so soon after I was appointed as COO, but I’m more scared to hurt Luca any further.

I hesitate for just a moment before grabbing the plaque Luca got me, and place it on top of my desk. Valentina Windsor, Chief Operating Officer.

Seeing Windsor paired with my first name used to fill me with unworthiness and fear, but not anymore. A soft giggle escapes my lips, and I briefly bury my face in my hands, feeling oddly giddy. I need to show Luca. I have no doubt my husband’s eyes would fill with that mixture of pride and possessiveness that I can’t resist.

My gaze drops to the stack of pink sticky notes on my desk, and I burst out laughing all over again. I can’t remember the last time I felt this free, this happy. I really should be getting to work, but there’s something I must do first.

“Morning, Val!” Jane calls as I walk past my old desk. An entire team of personal assistants and operations managers stepped in to take over my role, and it surprised me that it took six of them to do what I managed to do all by myself. “The boss has a meeting in about fifteen minutes, so I don’t think he has a lot of free time this morning.”

I grin at her and nod in thanks as I walk into Luca’s office. He looks up from his computer, and his serious expression melts away, making way for a smile. “I thought you’d have left your office already,” I murmur. Back when I was his secretary, we were always present at meetings at least ten minutes ahead of schedule. “Don’t tell me you’re already destroying my carefully crafted routines?”

Luca leans back in his seat, his eyes roaming over the red blouse I’m wearing. “And what were you planning on doing in my office while I wasn’t there?” he asks, his gaze settling on my cleavage.

I walk up to him and hold up the pink sticky note I’d been hiding behind my back. “I came to stick this onto your screen,” I murmur as I carefully place my note. “You’re totally ruining my surprise.”

I love you

- Mrs. Windsor

PS. I have a confession to make. Come to my office after your meeting.

His eyes light up as he reads my note. “This one is my favorite one so far,” he murmurs, his gaze filled with the expression I was hoping he’d carry. Love, pride, possessiveness.