Page 24 of Vow to Hate You

“Mr. Valentin, it’s good to see you.”

A man stepped in front of us, moving to shake Damian’s hand. I eyed him curiously before taking note of my husband’s expression, who looked happy to see the man. Instinctively, I relaxed before realizing what I did. My heart hammered against my ribs as I plastered a smile on my face when Damian introduced me. Why was I looking toward Damian when someone new appeared? Because I trusted his intuition even after all this time?Well, damn. That would be something I would never admit to him.

“Talie, this is Lorenzo. He ownsLa Casa.” Damian’s voice was warm and pleasant. Lorenzo was a friend to him.

I shook Lorenzo’s hand, returning his bright smile. He looked like he was in his late fifties, his dark brown hair was speckled with gray. Wrinkles surrounded his kind eyes and mouth with a short beard covering his jawline.

“I love your restaurant,” I told him warmly. “It used to be my favorite place when I was younger.”

“Used to be?” he asked with a small laugh. “What changed? I hope it wasn’t the food.”

I chuckled. “I’ve been gone at school. I’m sure I’ll be here often since I’m home.”

He nodded before turning his attention back to Damian. “Would you like your usual wine sent to the table?”

“No, thank you,” Damian said quickly. “My father prefers scotch.”

“Of course.” Lorenzo stepped to the side. “Enjoy your meal.”

I was positive I wouldn’t since I’d be in Christian’s presence, but I didn’t voice it as Damian’s hand returned to my lower back. While we made our way toward the back of the restaurant, I realized our table was away from the main crowd.

“Oh, Natalia, it’s so good to see you.”

Gina stood up from the table, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. I returned the embrace, forcing a smile on my face as she pulled away. Gina Valentin—Damian’s mother. She was a sweet lady, but a woman I never wanted to turn into. She lived to please Damian’s father. It was her entire life, and while she always seemed cheery, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was all a facade.

Gina squeezed my arm before going to give Damian a hug. Her black hair was cut short, hanging just past her ears. I was pretty sure her natural hair was wavy, but she always wore it bone straight. Her face was thick with makeup, and wrinkle free thanks to the Botox she had done regularly.

“Yes, it’s good she’s finally home,” Christian spoke up, barely giving me a glance. “It shouldn’t have taken this long to have a family dinner now that you’re back.”

“She’s been settling in,” Damian said with a polite smile. “We were planning on having you all for dinner soon. She’s barely been back a week.”

A week? It felt much longer. Though I’d been avoiding Damian as much as I could. Which wasn’t hard since he was gone most days. I nearly followed him one day, wanting to know if he was going to his club. I was more than a little curious about his business.

A waiter came to the table with a bottle of scotch and two glasses with ice. Christian didn’t so much as mutter a thank you as the man poured his drink.

“Two sangrias for the ladies,” Christian ordered while checking his phone. “We’ll have the caprese salad and oysters for an appetizer.”

Damian didn’t say a word as he pulled out my chair. I sank down, ignoring my growing annoyance at Christian. Would I not be able to order my own dinner too? Gina took her seat across from me, her smile never leaving her face. Everything about her seemed so exhausting to me. She never said anything wrong or had a hair out of place. She was perfect in every way. I was sure it was different behind closed doors.

“Tell me, Natalia. How was your time in Europe?” Gina asked, making polite conversation.

“It was great?—”

“It was a waste of time,” Christian cut in at the same time. “Prancing around as if you aren’t married to my son.”

The cold vigor in his voice had my stomach twisting painfully. Damian stiffened, his stare on his father. Christian had never been a fan of me, but now I had a feeling he would never let me forget how I’d left.

“We both decided it,” Damian gritted out. “It’s in the past now. No need to bring it up.”

“Then someone should tell that to your mother.” Christian lifted his eyes from his phone to look at Damian. “When will you two be going home to Connecticut? You haven’t been at the office all week.”

“Saturday,” Damian answered before taking a sip of his scotch. “Talie and I wanted time to spend together in the city.”

“I want you at the office on Monday,” he demanded before his gaze swung to me. “You will be doing what is expected of you as the wife of a Valentin.”

I bit my tongue, resisting the urge to interject. Nothing I said would change anything.

“No work talk at the table,” Gina said nervously, her smile cracking slightly. “I don’t get to see my son often enough.”

---