Page 168 of The Counterfeit Lover

Zia's hands clench around the material of her dress, her mouth parting as a soundless moan escapes her. She looks on the verge of tears, but she'd doing a good job of restraining herself.

"What…" Sisi's hand flies to her mouth in horror.

Immediately, as if sensing her distress, Vlad is there with his touch, taking her hand in his and stroking her wrist with his thumb in circular, comforting movements.

"So you see, Nicolo wasn't just his biological father. As far as I understand it, he was the only one who was ever there for Michele. Which is why he's willing to go this far."

"It doesn't excuse his actions, but it does give a context for his behavior," I add.

"I'm so glad Antonio is dead," Sisi shivers visibly. "I can't believe anyone could be so…evil."

"I'm glad he's dead, too," Raf nods. "I'm sure Michele was far from his only victim."

"That still doesn't give us an idea of how to solve this. Save for killing Michele I don't see a way out of this mess," Sisi mentions pensively.

Venezia reels back as if struck by something.

"Kill him?" she asks in a soft voice.

"Don't worry about it," Sisi gives her a smile.

"We'll deal with everything, Z," Vlad nods at her.

But the assurances do nothing to calm her. In fact, she looks increasingly distraught.

And that's when one thing becomes clear.

Venezia cares about Michele.

A lot.

I turn to look at Raf, and he noticed the same thing, tapping my hand lightly in a hidden signal.

The topic is soon dropped as Raf and Vlad get wrapped in their business talk.

It's at this point that Venezia excuses herself as she more or less dashes out of the room.

"She's been very moody lately," Sisi sighs. "I don't know how to help her anymore. She won't tell us anything," she shakes her head. "We haven't even been able to get the name of that boy she was seeing out of her, if you can believe that. Vlad did his best to investigate, but he came up empty-handed. I'm just…worried about her."

"Why don't I try to talk to her?" I offer, thinking this could be the perfect moment. "Sometimes, it's easier to open up to a stranger than to someone close."

Sisi considers this for a while before nodding.

"It's worth a try. The boys are busy anyway," she waves her hand at Raf and Vlad currently getting into a heated argument on some business venture. "Her room is on the second floor," Sisi instructs.

Getting to my feet, I give her a small smile as I head towards Venezia's room.

The door is slightly ajar and before I get to knock, I hear a small sob.

"Venezia," I softly call out, opening the door.

She whips around, wiping the tears off her face though the redness of her eyes betrays her.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she immediately replies, plastering a fake smile on her face.

Letting out a sigh, I close the door to her room, locking it.

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