Luca lifted his shoe from Asher's chest. Asher scrambled to rise, only to receive another stinging slap across the face. Luca's hand fisted in his hair, jerking his head back.
"Luca, what are you doing?" Sara's voice wavered as she stepped forward, reaching out as if to stop him.
"Because it's my wedding day, I'll let you walk away," Luca growled. His tone dripped with warning. "But tomorrow may be the last day of your freedom." With a shove, he threw Asher back. Security guards seized him instantly, dragging him toward the exit.
"Luca, it's not over! I swear I am—"
Sara couldn't catch the rest. Luca's palms covered her ears, shielding her from words meant to wound. Her lashes fluttered as she tilted her face up to meet his gaze. Slowly, she lifted her hands and lowered his.
"You didn't have to do that," she whispered.
"I can't stand the sight of you being humiliated," Luca said, his eyes burning with fury.
"You humiliate me too," Sara snapped as she stepped back from him. "Is it over? Can we just head back? My head… it suddenly aches."
From across the hall, Luca's mother had seen everything. Her expression gave nothing away as she leaned toward her secretary, whispered a few quiet words, and watched as the man bowed before slipping away.
"Yes," Luca answered at last in a firm tone as though closing the matter entirely. He reached for Sara's hand again, unwilling to let her drift further from him. "We'll go back."
He guided her toward the entrance. Outside, a black Porsche gleamed under the soft lights. Sara gathered the folds of her gown carefully and slid inside first. Luca followed, settling beside her.
Fabio stepped forward, closing the door with a muted thud before retreating to his place. A moment later, the engine started and the car pulled away, carrying them back home through the night.
'What did Frida tell Asher?' Sara wondered. 'Why would she reveal everything about my past that I once had feelings for Luca? I never thought she would betray me like that.'
Luca's eyes lingered on her. "What's on your mind?" he asked.
She kept her gaze on the window. "Why did you tell Asher that you seduced me? You haven't changed at all, you still feel the need to interfere, even after all these years."
A faint curve touched Luca's lips. "And yet, you remember everything about me so well, even after all these years."
Sara finally turned her head, meeting his gaze.
"Why did you let him insult you like that?" Luca asked in a menacing tone. "That man's going to lose everything soon."
"It wouldn't have come to this if you'd just let me see him," she snapped.
Luca leaned back and spoke in a prideful tone, "Well, thanks to me, you saw the real Asher. That's what matters. Now enough, we won't spoil tonight by talking about him. It's going to be a beautiful night for us."
'Beautiful night?' Sara's stomach churned. 'Is he going to ask me to share his bed?' She fiddled nervously with her fingers, swallowing against the sudden dryness in her throat.
Moments later, the car slowed to a stop before Luca's villa, which was their villa now. Warm light spilled from its windows, illuminating the decorations that turned the estate into something out of a dream.
The driver stepped out, opening Luca's door. Luca climbed out with easy grace, then moved to Sara's side. He opened her door, extending his hand.
She hesitated only briefly before resting her hand in his, gathering the folds of her gown as she stepped onto the drive.
Before she could take another step, Luca bent and swept her into his arms.
"Hey!" she gasped, glaring up at him, startled.
"What?" Luca replied, his eyes fixed straight ahead as he carried her toward the entrance.
"Didn't you say yesterday that I was heavy? And now you're carrying me?" Sara muttered bitterly, her arms tightening instinctively around his neck.
Luca gave no reply. His stride remained steady as he carried her across the grand hallway of the living room and toward the stairs. Sara's eyes caught the delicate orange blossoms woven along the railing.
What a showoff, she sneered inwardly. This marriage was only a formality, a contract in disguise, yet Luca had adorned it with the trappings of romance, as though he wanted the world, and her, to believe it was real.
At last they reached the upper floor. Luca stopped before a door and pushed it open. Sara's breath hitched slightly; the room beyond was filled with roses, red and pink, spread across every surface.
He set her gently on her feet.
"I told you I need a separate room," Sara said quickly, taking a step back.
"That's not possible," Luca replied evenly, tugging at the knot of his bowtie. "The other rooms have been locked for years. They're not fit for anyone to stay in."
Sara chuckled at his excuses. "You're really something, aren't you?" Her brows furrowed. "We don't love each other. So what is all this for? This… charade of being a doting husband? It doesn't suit you."
"Do you need help with your dress?" Luca asked, stepping closer.
Sara immediately thrust her hand between them, halting his advance. She lifted her chin.
"You didn't hear me, did you? I don't want to live in the same room as you," she said. "This is a contract marriage, not a real one. And it never can be."
Luca paused, then exhaled slowly as though her words hadn't pierced him at all. "Contract or real, the fact remains, you're my wife for the next year."
Sara's jaw tightened, but he pressed on. "Why don't you let go of this anger? I understand, your family didn't come to see their daughter's wedding, and that wounds you. But you can't cling to that fury forever."
His fingers brushed the hair away from her forehead before lowering to her neck. Cradling it, he drew her face close. His eyes had softened, so did his tone.
"Didn't you always desire me, Sara? Now, I gave myself to you, you're running away."