Chapter 69
Chapter 1
Chapter One: A Past That Haunts
Luca De Santis stood at the floor–to–ceiling window of his sleek Rome office, the city stretching out beneath him like a living, breathing entity. He was on a conference call, negotiating high–stakes deals with the kind of precision and charm that had made him one of Italy’s most powerful CEOs. His voice was steady, cool, authoritative, as he discussed investment strategies for their upcoming New York expansion.
“I’ll fly out in July to oversee the investors personally,” Luca said, his tone resolute, “We’ll ensure everything runs smoothly.”
But suddenly, there was an awkward silence on the other end of the line. The pause was long enough that Luca frowned and demanded, “What’s going on?
Why the silence?”
His second–in–command cleared his throat before answering, “It’s just… we thought you were getting married in July, sir.”
Luca laughed, but the sound was hollow. “Ah, right. The wedding. I’m already playing the part of the absent–minded husband, forgetting anniversaries before the wedding even happens.” His colleagues chuckled, the tension breaking, but a strange unease settled in Luca’s chest, even as he ended the call.
The weight of their words lingered. Marriage. Carlotta. Sweet, patient, perfect Carlotta Fiorentino, the woman he had once promised forever to, and now, after years of chaos, was finally about to marry. He was lucky to have her, and he knew it. The entire world seemed to agree. Carlotta was kind, understanding, and most importantly, she had been there for him when his world fell apart.
But that nagging feeling wouldn’t let go. Luca rubbed the back of his neck, pacing the polished floors of his office. Carlotta’s father was a major shareholder in De Santis Investment Bank, and their families had been close for as long as he could remember. Summers spent together, holidays shared in luxury villas
–
it had all seemed natural when they started dating in their twenties. Marriage had been the logical next step.
He had proposed, and she had gleefully accepted. The grand wedding was planned, the families had rejoiced, and life had felt perfect. But that was five years
ago.
And what a fool he had been.
He shouldn’t have agreed to that long engagement. He should’ve put his foot down, married Carlotta immediately, and spared them both the misery that followed. He wouldn’t have been so easily tempted. Wouldn’t have let his entire life implode because of one stupid, reckless decision.
He could still remember it like it was yesterday. That summer, when everything changed.
The day Amber walked into his life. That fiery redhead, the American intern who was nothing more than a blip on the radar, someone meant to fetch coffee and sort papers. Yet the moment he saw her, something wild and primal overtook him. One glance at her had been enough to unravel everything he’d built with Carlotta.
It was like a punch to the gut. And instead of keeping his distance, like any sane man would, he had thrown away years of trust and loyalty for a few nights of passion with a woman who had no place in his life.
He had been an idiot. A reckless, selfish bastard. Luca clenched his fists as the memories surged–those stolen moments with Amber, the lies he told himself, the excuses he made. All for what? A few fleeting nights of lust?
And the cost? Carlotta’s heart, their engagement, and his dignity. All shattered because he had let his libido rule his decisions. He had betrayed the one woman who had always loved him, the one who had been his perfect match in every way. And for what? For Amber? A girl who had wormed her way into his life, seducing him with her fiery attitude and leaving him in ruins.
1/2
11:22 pm GP PP
Chapter 69
His jaw tightened as the bitter taste of regret filled his mouth. The aftermath had been catastrophic, Carlotta had been devastated, of course. Her heart broken, her future destroyed. His family had been furious. Carlotta’s family even more so. It was a scandal that rocked the very foundation of bork their
worlds.
But his punishment had been swift. Amber had turned up pregnant.
He hadn’t needed a paternity test. He knew it was his. Of course, it was. Karma had a way of kicking him when he was down. His family had urged him not to marry her, not to ruin his life any further. But Luca had been a hard–headed idiot, believing he could make it work. Believing that marrying Ansher was the responsible thing to do for their child.
What a joke.
Comments
LIKE
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
