“It doesn’t matter,” I snap. “She’s your fiancée. And I? Well, soon I’ll be nothing to you. Until then, we need some boundaries. If we have to work together for six more months—"
Luca laughs humorlessly, cutting me off. “You’re still under the illusion that I’ll let you go, huh? Give your notice, Valentina. Do what you must. When your six months are up, you’ll stay right where you’ve always been. Next to me.”
I stare at him and shake my head. “I can’t do this anymore. You and I… last night never should’ve happened. For eight years, we worked together so perfectly. What changed, Luca? You didn’t want me until you realized that you lost me. I’m not one of your belongings. I’m not an acquisition. The first time you only touched me because of Joshua, and now it’s because I quit. I won’t play this game with you.”
Luca walks up to me and raises his hand, the tips of his fingers brushing over my temple. He wraps my hair around his finger and twirls it around, his expression pensive. “You made it so I had nothing left to lose,” he says, his voice soft. “That’s what changed.”
The back of his hand brushes over my cheek, and my eyes flutter closed for a moment. “I’d already fucked up at Ares and Raven’s wedding, and we barely recovered from it. There’s no way I’d risk doing anything that could result in me losing you permanently. But then you quit, and my first instinct was to do everything in my power to make you stay.” He chuckles and pulls away. “I thought to myself… if I’m going to lose you regardless of what I do, then why must I continue wondering? Why should I continue suppressing the thoughts I have about you? Why bother lying to both myself and you?”
I bite down on my lip, unsure how to reply. “Luca, I can’t stay, and this thing between us? We can’t give into it. Your engagement might mean nothing to you, but I’m not that kind of woman. Do you have any idea how guilty I feel about that kiss last night? I never should have… I’m not…”
He runs a hand through his hair and nods. “I know, and I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight, and for once, I just wanted to give in and take what I craved so desperately. It won’t happen again, so please don’t leave me. Don’t leave this firm. Don’t throw away everything we’ve fought for. Windsor Finance wouldn’t be what it is without you, Valentina. Can you truly walk away from everything we’ve built?”
I look into his eyes and try my hardest to fight the instinct to give in. “What happens if I stay? There’s no further career growth for me here, and you know it. If I stay, it’d be for you… and how is that the right thing to do when you’re getting married soon? How is it the right decision for me? This job is all I’ve ever known, but how much longer can I stay in this role? For how much longer can I continue working the hours I do? If I stay, I’ll continue to sacrifice my life for you while you’ll be building a life with your wife. I’m not getting any younger, Luca. I want a life of my own, too. I want to find out what happiness feels like. It isn’t about finding love or finding a man to spend my life with — I’m not that romantic. But finding a hobby or two and traveling? I’d love to do that, at least.”
He stares at me with such despondency in his eyes that my own heart begins to ache. Part of me wishes he never touched me at all. If he hadn’t, could we have been friends after I left?
“You and I… we need to return to what we used to be. We have to forget everything that’s happened in the last couple of months, everything that’s been said between us. For six more months, let’s go back to who we used to be. Let’s end this on a good note, Luca.”
He inhales deeply, and then he shakes his head. “Don’t think I won’t put up a fight. Personal feelings aside, you’re Windsor Finance’s best employee. I’m not letting you go.”
I walk toward the door and turn back to look at him, my heart wavering. “I’m not giving you a choice,” I tell him, before walking out.
Chapter Twenty
Valentina
I’m restless as I coordinate with our team of personal assistants. I’ve put them in charge of arranging interviews for my replacement, and it feels bittersweet.
Luca has treated me so well for so many years, and despite his current attitude, I do owe him everything. If not for him, I wouldn’t have my degree, or the work experience that turned me into a well-respected, well-known finance professional. Luca Windsor shaped me, and I’ll always be grateful for all he’s given me.
It isn’t the Luca I used to know that I have an issue with. It’s the one he became the moment he got engaged. I’ve stood by his side throughout countless changes in his life, and nothing has shaken him the way this did.
I’m snapped out of my thoughts when my phone rings, and I frown. My mother rarely calls me while I’m at work. Worry instantly has me sitting up in my seat, my heart racing.
“Mom, hi.”
“Val,” she says, her voice trembling. “Abuela… she left home a couple of hours ago, and she hasn’t come back. I’m worried.”
I rise to my feet, my heart hammering in my chest. “What? How long has she been missing? Doesn’t she have her phone on her?”
“No. She left it on her nightstand. I took my wheelchair and searched around the block, but I can’t find her anywhere.”
“Did you check the convenience store? Maybe she’s chatting with Auntie Lee?” Grandma and the convenience store owner have become friends over the years, and sometimes she’ll go over there to chat.
“They haven’t seen her. Usually she would’ve dropped by to say hi to them on her daily walks, but not today.”
“What about the park?”
“I’ve looked, Val. I can’t find her anywhere. I checked the park, I’ve asked all the neighbors, I’ve gone into every store near us. I can’t find her anywhere. Do you… do you think I should file a report?”
“Yes!” I yell, my eyes filling with tears. “Mom, of course. We need to find her as soon as we can. We have no idea what could’ve happened. What if she fell somewhere, and she can’t reach us? What if she needs our help?”
Tears start to run down my face, and I inhale shakily.
“Val,” Mom says. “There’s something I need to tell you. We’ve been keeping this from you because you already have so much on your plate, and Abuela insisted that I shouldn’t worry you.”
I start to tremble and tighten my grip on my phone. “What is it?”
Mom inhales shakily. “Abuela was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Lately, she’s been forgetting things more and more often. She keeps getting confused, and sometimes she can’t remember who I am, other times she thinks we’re years in the past and your abuelo is still with us. What if it’s one of those episodes, and she’s trying to find your abuelo? That’s happened before, and I have no idea how far she could go. What if she’s trying to get back to our old house?”
“I’m coming home right now,” I tell her as I grab my bag and rush out the door, barely able to see through my tears. “We’ll find her. It’s going to be okay.”