Chapter 163
“Nico!” she said sternly, hands on her hips. “Stop that right now!”
Nico, over the budding performer, put on his most dramatic pout. His lower lip trembled, his big eyes welled up with cocodile tears, and
sniffled for added effect.
“But Mummy…” he whined, clutching his teddy bear like a lifeline. “Papa said it was okay!”
Amber’s eyes narrowed as her irritation shifted to a new target. She exhale sharply, her jaw tightening as she thought, Oh, don’t worry, dúco
I’ll deal with your papa next.
With determination fueling her steps, she marched toward the kitchen, her robe billowing slightly behind her. She found Luce sitting casually on the floor, his back against the wall, laptop perched on his knees, He was deep in a work call, one earbud in, typing away with an air of focus
that made her blood boil.
Amber stood frozen for a moment in the kitchen doorway, her fingers tightening around the mug she held as Luca’s voice carried through the air. He sat on the floor, still casually leaned against the wall, his laptop propped up on his knees. The man on the other end of the video call- Alessio Giovanni, Luca’s sharp–tongued lawyer and long–time friend–was speaking animatedly. His crisp suit and round glasses gave him as dir of professionalism, but his words carried the kind of casual irreverence that set Amber’s teeth on edge.
“This is not good, Luca. I’m not kidding,” Alessio said firmly, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “You’re not taking this seriously Your family and the Forentino family are starting to sling some serious allegations against you. Mr. Forentino, in the very first directors meeting after you left, publicly announced that you were a useless, cheating, thieving bastard. And guess what? Your mother was right there when he said it.” Alessio’s tone grew sharper. “You see where I’m going with this?”
Luca leaned back against the wall, utterly unbothered, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Not really,” he replied, his voice dripping with
sarcasm.
Alessio groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Luca, rumors are swirling, not just within the company but throughout the network. This is bad. This could ruin your reputation. No legal action has been taken yet, but if they decide to, what’s your plan?”
Amber watched as Luca’s smirk turned into a half–laugh. He shrugged nonchalantly, his tone half–joking but razor–sharp. “Then I’ll drag them all through the mud until they’re on their knees, begging for my forgiveness.”
The lawyer let out a frustrated sigh, shaking his head. “I’m your lawyer, Luca. I’m supposed to defend you, but you make me want to reach through the screen and strangle you.”
Amber could already feel her blood simmering, but Alessio’s next words were the tipping point. “By the way,” Alessio continued, switching gears, “your ex–fiancée is making headlines again–this time for all the wrong reasons.” He smirked, clearly enjoying delivering gossip. “The evening papers ran a photo of her last night, kissing her bodyguard behind a nightclub.”
Luca raised an eyebrow, looking faintly amused. “Saw it,” he said casually. His voice softened, tinged with sincerity. “I hope the has better luck
with him.”
Alessio raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. “That’s generous of you. Though, I wonder if her father will disown her for it.”
Luca chuckled lightly. “Let’s hope not. I’d say she’s had enough punishment already.”
“Punishment? You mean from being left at the altar by you? How many times was it, Luca? Thirteen? Fifteen?” Alessio asked, his smirk
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Chapter 163
growing wider.
“It was twice,” Luca snapped, clearly irritated.
<71%#
“Twice, sure,” Alessio drawled sarcastically before laughing. “But I’ll give you this–you seem like you’re in a really good mood today. Better than I’ve seen you in months, maybe years. What’s the secret? Did your exwife finally put it out for you again? You always did just after her
more than anyone else.”
Amber’s jaw clenched, her blood boiling. Her eyes flashed as she stepped into the room, her footsteps decisive and her robe billowing behind her. She had been holding herself together–barely–but Alessio’s crude words were the final straw.
Luca looked up in surprise, his eyes widening. “Oh! You’re up-”
Amber ignored him and marched straight toward the laptop. Alessio’smiled. “Hi, Amber,” he said back to his charming self. “You look good. I was just telling Luca how happy I am that you two are back together-”
Without a word, Amber grabbed the laptop and snapped the screen shut with a sharp click. The device powered down, cutting off Alessio mid-
sentence.
Luca’s amused chuckle broke the tense silence. “Well, mi amore, you did put it out for me last night,” he teased, his voice low and playful. “No need to be angry–because it did made me very happy.”
Before she could retort, Luca was in front of her, his hands warm and firm as they cupped her face. He leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that stole her breath. Her anger wavered, melting under the intensity of his touch.
When he pulled back, his lips brushed against her ear, his voice a low, teasing whisper. “You know the first thing I did this morning? I went out and bought condoms. Tonight, tesoro, it’s my turn.”
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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.
