“The company is yours. I’ve had the papers sent to your lawyers. I’ve signed them.”
Luca’s gut dropped.
“What?”
It was at that moment he realised Allegra was in the room. She’d walked in silently. It was only then, when she sucked in a quick breath of air, that he realised. He turned to face her, tried to understand what she was feeling, and what she wanted.
Knew, already, his own feelings.
“Congratulations,” Valentino said, smiling wolfishly. “You win.” Why, though, didn’t he feel that? “And you, my dear, gave a splendid performance. I do not know what remuneration you agreed to, but I hope it was generous. You certainly earned it.”
Luca didn’t need to look at Allegra to know it was the worst thing his grandfather could have said. But how could Luca refute it? How could he say that their marriage had turned into more. That what he and Allegra shared had nothing to do with their deal?
How could he admit it to his grandfather when he could barely do so to himself?
CHAPTER 15
HE DIDN’T NEED HER ANY LONGER. He had what he wanted. The purpose for this marriage had been achieved, and his grandfather clearly hadn’t been fooled after all. None of it mattered.
The one year he’d proposed had been arbitrary—long enough to convince the world and achieve his ends. Now? It wasn’t necessary. She was dispensable. She held her breath as the pieces fell into place, watching as Valentino, smiling that smile of his, walked from the room, then turning to face Luca again.
He was watching her.
“Well,” he said, after a beat, expression carefully guarded. She hated how easily he could do that—keep her at bay. “I didn’t see that coming.”
She swallowed, digging her nails into her palm, telling herself not to react in front of him. “So I guess I should congratulate you?”
He frowned. “That doesn’t seem appropriate.”
“You got what you wanted. What you’ve always wanted.”
He grunted.
“What is it?”
His eyes bore into hers. “The victory feels somewhat hollow.”
“It shouldn’t. He’s right. You showed how much the company means to you. I mean, I feel like he should have understood that sooner, and without the need for this ruse, but…at least he got there in the end.”
Ruse. It hurt physically to say the words.
“Allegra—,” but he stopped talking, his jaw flexing.
She closed her eyes, aware what was coming. What he wanted.
It was time for her to go. He just didn’t know how to say it.
“It’s okay,” she murmured. “I understand.”
“Understand what?”
Her heart felt as though it had been poisoned and was dying inside of her. “Your focus is going to change. You need to be at the company. And you don’t need me anymore.”
He shook his head once. “That’s not what I was going to say.”
“No?” She held her breath, hoping when she knew she shouldn’t.
“You’re right. I don’t need you anymore. I don’t need the pretence of our marriage.”
