Page 78 of Luca
"How much time?"
"No fucking idea."
He leaves me alone in the suite with nothing but the broken glass and the weight of everything I've confessed. Outside the window, Prague sparkles in the darkness, beautiful and indifferent to the lives being shattered.
I've told him everything. There are no more secrets, no more lies between us.
Now all I can do is wait to see if the truth will save me or destroy me.
At least for now, Sofia is safe.
And that's what matters most.
Even if it costs me everything.
Chapter 30: Luca
The flight back to Rome passes in careful silence.
Gabriella—I'm still adjusting to her real name—sits across from me reading a magazine, but I see the tension in her shoulders. She's playing Sofia again, returning to the careful posture and soft mannerisms of the woman I thought I married.
But now I know it's an act.
Now I see the effort it takes for her to contain her natural positive energy, to speak in whispers instead of the confident voice I heard in Prague.
She glances up occasionally, trying to read my expression. I keep my face neutral, professional. The concerned husband returning from a honeymoon that was interrupted by business concerns.
Paolo handles the logistics of our arrival, ensuring we have privacy as we disembark and transfer to the waiting car. No photographers, no curious family members. Just a quiet return to the villa where I'll have time to think.
"We’re home," Gabriella says softly as we pull through the gates. She's looking at the gardens, the familiar stone walls, and I wonder if she sees them as her home or a prison.
Rosa greets us at the door with her usual warmth, fussing over our luggage and asking about Prague. Gabriella slips seamlessly back into her role, describing touristattractions and restaurants with just the right amount of enthusiasm.
"The architecture was incredible," she tells Rosa. "And Luca was such a wonderful guide."
"I'm sure he was. You both look rested. The honeymoon was good for you."
If only Rosa knew how complicated that statement really is.
I excuse myself to handle some business calls, leaving Gabriella to settle back into the routine of being Sofia Romano. When I close the study door behind me, I place a call.
Detective Alberti answers on the first ring.
"Romano. How was Prague?"
"Educational. I need you to close the file on my wife."
"Close it? Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I found what I needed to know. How much do I owe you for your discretion?"
There's a pause. Alberti is smart enough to understand what I'm really asking. "For complete discretion? For ensuring this investigation never happened? To seal any records I found?"
"Yes, complete."
"Fifty thousand euros should cover any administrative costs."
"Done. The money will be transferred today. And Alberti?"
