Free Web NovelChapter 158: Guilt eats at me every night
In the evening, Luca and Sara arrived at the De Augustino Estate well before the party was set to begin. Sara felt a surge of confidence in the gown her mother-in-law had handpicked for her.
Standing before the mirror in their private dressing suite, she fastened her earrings and brushed the ends of her hair. ’I wonder what Luca has planned to expose the traitor,’ she thought, feeling anxious.
"Are you ready?"
Luca’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. She turned on her heels and found him watching her from the doorway.
"Yes. Oh, wait, your tie..." She crossed the room toward him, her hands reaching up to adjust the silk. As she focused on the knot, Luca’s gaze swept over her features, noting the way her long eyelashes shadowed her cheeks and how her red lipstick made her lips look incredibly inviting.
"It’s done," she whispered.
The moment she looked up, Luca leaned in and captured her mouth. They shared a gentle, lingering kiss that tasted of excitement and shared secrets. They pulled away just far enough to exchange a smile.
"Did Bastien catch Martin?" Sara asked.
"Not yet. He’s probably still on the hunt," Luca replied, his tone turning somber. He looked at her intently, his hand lingering on the door frame. "Are you scared?"
"Why would I be scared?" She chuckled, adjusting the strap of her gown.
"Because my life is surrounded by enemies, Sara. If anything happens tonight, your brother is going to hate me. Your grandmother and father probably will, too," Luca muttered.
"You think too much," Sara replied softly, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "And why do you even think something is going to happen?" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
"It’s just..." Luca paused, shaking his head as if trying to clear a dark premonition. It felt like a storm that would break his world. "Just stay close to me."
There were words he wanted to speak, but they wouldn’t come to his tongue.
Sara rested her hands on his cheeks, forcing him to meet her gaze. "In the beginning, you used to say you weren’t scared of anyone," she asserted, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Has love made you so weak? Isn’t that why you stayed away from me all these years?"
"I thought I eliminated the danger. I did, but..." He couldn’t speak further as Sara pressed her fingers gently against his lips.
Luca nodded, and they stepped out in the garden, where the guests had been gathered.
In the center of the main garden, their parents were deep in conversation. Sara’s heart skipped a beat when she spotted Diego and his mother standing near the fountain. Their presence was a surprise she wasn’t quite ready for, especially after everything happened.
As Luca’s parents moved toward the grand entrance to welcome the arriving dignitaries, Sara broke away briefly.
"Grandma," Sara whispered, pulling Katherine into a tight embrace. Katherine patted her back with a gentle touch, though her eyes briefly met Luca’s.
Luca, however, was barely present for the pleasantries. His gaze was a predatory sweep of the garden, cataloging every face.
After Sara finished greeting the family, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Diego standing there, a polite but hollow smile on his face.
"Can we talk?" Diego asked, his voice low and devoid of its usual arrogance.
Sara glanced at her father, who was deeply immersed in a business discussion with a prominent client. She gave a small nod. "Sure," she said, walking a few paces away with him toward the stone balustrade.
"I wanted to apologize to you in person," Diego began. "And I even wanted to thank you. I know you won’t forgive me for everything I’ve done."
"When you already know the answer, why are you even asking?" Sara murmured, her arms crossed defensively.
"Because the guilt eats at me every night," Diego admitted. He caught sight of Luca approaching with a territorial stride, but he didn’t flinch. Instead, he offered a stiff, respectful nod.
"I thought Adam had finalized the divorce," Luca said. "Is your mother back together with him? That’s why you both showed up tonight, isn’t it?"
"That’s not true. Your mother invited us personally," Diego replied calmly.
Luca’s brow furrowed in genuine confusion. His mother was usually the first to keep distance from any drama involving Adam’s family. The fact that she had reached out suggested something was happening behind the scenes that he wasn’t privy to.
"Make sure you don’t leave until you’ve had something to eat," Luca said.
"I understand. Sara, I truly am sorry," Diego murmured, offering a final look of regret before disappearing into the crowd of elite guests.
Sara watched him go. "He actually seemed genuine this time," she whispered, almost to herself.
"Perhaps," Luca replied shortly, his eyes already scanning the perimeter of the gala.
"Sara! Luca! Over here," Michael’s voice boomed across the manicured lawn. He was gesturing emphatically for them to join him, clearly eager to show off the power couple to an old business associate.
As they navigated the distance, Sara’s attention was caught by a figure near the entrance. It was Joseph, her half-brother. He stood there holding a modest bouquet, looking entirely out of place. He looked lost, his gaze darting around the grand estate as if searching for a familiar face in a room full of strangers.
Sara did her best to play the part of the dutiful daughter-in-law, nodding and offering polite smiles while Michael’s friend droned on about market shares and legacy. But her mind was on the man sitting alone at a nearby table.
Noticing his wife’s distraction, Luca leaned in and whispered to his father. "Dad, please excuse us for a moment. An old friend just arrived, and I’d like to welcome him."
"Of course, go ahead," Michael said with a proud pat on Luca’s shoulder.
Luca didn’t waste a second. He took Sara’s hand, his thumb grazing her knuckles in a silent gesture of support, and guided her through the crowd toward Joseph.
"Joseph, here’s your sister," Luca said with a small smile, grabbing his attention.
~~~~~
My New WSA story- "The Duke’s Unwanted Second Wife"
