Page 9 of Coerced Wife

“Ex-wife,” Saverio says with palpable anger from somewhere on my left.

Too shocked to speak, I look in the direction from where his voice comes. He’s walking toward us with quick, angry steps, reaching me in two long strides.

“I apologize, Anya.” He turns a frosty gaze on the woman in front of me. “Excuse us for a moment. I need a word with Rachele.”

Gripping her arm, he drags her toward the sliding doors that give access to the lounge. She almost trips before righting herself.

I stare after them with a cocktailof unpleasant sensations churning in my gut. Unwelcome and unexpected jealousy is like ice in my veins while betrayal burns like hot coals in my stomach.

Why didn’t Saverio tell me?

He could’ve at least warned me that his ex-wife would be here. I didn’t even know he was married, for crying out loud. It never crossed my mind. Why, I don’t know. He has a healthy sex appetite. He’s a normal, virile man. In his circles, he must be quite a catch.

Stupid, stupid, girl.

Trust me not to consider such an obvious possibility.

People shoot curious glances at me, but they don’t dare to look at Saverio. Once he’s pushed Rachele inside the house, the guests who’ve gone quiet around me resume their conversations.

I leave my glass on the table. I’m about to slip away to find a quiet spot somewhere when someone says to my back, “Don’t mind my sister.”

My spine goes rigid.

I recognize that voice.

My fingers tighten involuntarily on the clutch bag in my hand as I swing around.

Giorgio leans on a terrace pillar, his hands shoved in his pockets. He wears a tux with long coattails and a bowtie. “She just got used to having Sav at her beck and call.”

An uninvited shiver rolls through me. I glance over his shoulder to where the guards are positioned, only marginally reassured that they’re in place.

Giorgio straightens, pulling my attention back to him.

“When someone’s been your lapdog for so long, you tend to think you’ll always have them at your feet with a flick of your fingers.” He adds with a smile, “It must hurther female pride to discover the husband she rejected moved on. Rachele is very sure of herself. She didn’t believe Sav would ever get over her. To be fair to my lovely sister, Sav is the first man whose heart she broke to defy the norm.”

I rub my arms as a chill works its way through my body. “Why are you telling me this?”

He shrugs. “To put things in perspective.”

I glance around to check that no one is eavesdropping and lower my voice before saying with animosity, “Only, you know Sav and my relationship isn’t real.”

“Rachele doesn’t. She must hate the one woman who finally outshines her. No one here is any the wiser either. In their eyes, you’re the most beautiful and most coveted girl now, the new queen of the prom, and that gives you power.” He takes a step in my direction. “It feels good, doesn’t it?”

I stand my ground, not backing away. “What are you getting at?”

He smirks. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

Leaving me with that, he saunters away. I follow him with my gaze as he walks up to a couple and shakes the man’s hand.

Saverio exits the house and makes his way over to me. He’s donned a mask, his expression blank. It’s impossible to read him.

Rachele steps out a moment later, straightening her dress and shaking out her long, shiny hair before tilting up her chin and walking in the opposite direction.

Saverio stops in front of me.

I’m too upset with him and about what Giorgio said to speak to him right now.

Saverio tips my face up with a finger, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Say it.”

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