THE NEXT DAY.
The sun was already blazing, its light filtering through the bedroom curtains. The afternoon was settling in quietly, but in the bed, Lorenzo and Chloe were still curled up against each other, deeply asleep.
Lorenzo finally opened his eyes after long hours of rest. His gaze immediately fell on Chloe, curled up against him like a child, her soft breath brushing against his skin.
A faint smile formed at the corner of his lips. He stayed still for a few seconds, savoring the moment, then gently shifted away so he wouldn't wake her. Tenderly, he pulled the sheet over her, got up, and stepped out of bed.
A few minutes later, after a quick shower, he walked out of the bathroom, fresh, his hair still damp. He removed the bandage the doctor had put on him, slipped on a black T-shirt and matching joggers. With a habitual motion, he closed the door behind him and headed downstairs to the living room, silent.
IN FRONT OF LORENZO'S VILLA.
Under the scorching sun, a figure stood in front of the gate, a crumpled piece of paper in hand. A young woman, barely eighteen, wearing tight skinny jeans, a simple T-shirt, and a shoulder bag resting against her hip. Her loose hair fell over her shoulders, slightly messy. She squinted, visibly annoyed.
It was Valentina, Chloe's best friend.
She rolled her eyes, sighed loudly, and pressed the doorbell again.
Val (muttering under her breath)
— Damn… I've been hitting this button for ten minutes. Did that brat Chloe give me a fake address or what?
She pressed it again, and again, as if she wanted to wake up the entire neighborhood. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her face tense from the heat and impatience.
Finally, the gate creaked open, revealing the guard, looking sleepy and confused.
Guard (suspicious)
— Who are you?
Valentina rolled her eyes dramatically, one hand on her hip.
Val (sarcastic)
— Seriously? I've been dying under the sun for ten minutes, pressing like crazy, and your first question is "who are you"? Don't you have some basic logic, man?
The guard frowned, confused.
Guard
— What else do you want me to ask?
Val (stomping her foot)
— I don't know… maybe "Hello miss, how can I help you? Do you want some water? Are you melting in the sun?" You know… normal stuff!
The guard was speechless.
Val (annoyed, throwing her hands up)
— You know what, forget it. Just open the gate, I'm exhausted. I'm the boss's sister, so relax, you're not losing your job.
Without giving him time to react, she shoved past him and walked in confidently.
Guard (panicking)
— Hey! You can't just walk in like that!
Valentina ignored him, already focused on the villa.
---
A car horn suddenly sounded behind the guard. A car drove into the yard.
Marco stepped out, slammed the door, and headed toward the entrance. His eyes immediately landed on Valentina, standing at the doorbell, pressing it like her life depended on it.
His eyes widened.
Marco (murmuring to himself, smirking)
— Damn… who is this fine girl? Look at that body… that's insane.
He walked up behind her and stopped just inches away. Valentina, still busy attacking the doorbell, hadn't noticed him.
His deep voice suddenly cut through the air.
Marco (calm but firm)
— Hey… you mind giving that button a break?
Valentina jumped, almost falling backward, then turned sharply. Their eyes met… and time seemed to freeze.
A heavy silence settled between them—but not awkward… electric.
Val froze, lips slightly parted.
Val (inner thoughts, panicking)
Oh my God… where did this guy come from? I was ready to insult him, but with a face like that… damn. For the first time in my life, I might actually shut up and act shy. He's totally my type. But wait… he's not Chloe's husband, right? Please tell me he's not.
Marco didn't miss a thing.
Marco (inner thoughts, amused)
Damn, she's a whole bomb. I hope she's not one of Lorenzo's girls… or I'll lose it. This one… I definitely want her.
Their eyes stayed locked. Neither of them moved.
Suddenly, the door opened, breaking the moment. Lorenzo appeared, his expression both hard and surprised.
Lorenzo (hoarse voice, frowning)
— Marco… who's this girl?
Valentina turned toward him.
Lo
Val (smirking)
— Hey, dude. I'm here to see my girl Chloe.
Lorenzo's eyes darkened instantly.
Lorenzo (calm but firm)
— I have a name. Next time you call me "dude," I won't be so nice.
He turned and walked away without waiting for a reply.
Val blinked, amused.
Val (murmuring)
— Damn… he's intense.
Marco's voice came from behind her again.
Marco (smirking)
— Yeah… Lorenzo plays by his own rules. You'll get used to it.
Val turned her eyes toward him, slightly surprised by how close he was. Without answering, she walked into the living room, eager to see Chloe. Marco followed casually, hands in his pockets, and closed the door behind them.
Inside, the scent of coffee still lingered in the air. Lorenzo was already seated on the couch, a cup in hand, looking focused as if nothing had happened.
Marco sat beside him, relaxed, while Val, slightly uncomfortable being alone with two strangers, chose the couch opposite them. She crossed her legs and scanned the room, her eyes desperately searching for Chloe.
The silence was quickly broken by Lorenzo's deep voice.
Lorenzo (staring at Val, serious)
— How did you even end up here?
Val frowned and met his gaze calmly.
Val (composed, slightly cheeky)
— Like I told you earlier, I'm Chloe's friend. She gave me the address. So… who exactly are you?
Marco, amused by her tone, jumped in immediately.
Marco (teasing smile)
— That's your friend Chloe's husband. And I'm Marco, his friend. Mind telling me your name?
Val held his gaze without flinching.
Val (calm)
— Valentina. But you can call me Val. It's easier.
Marco smirked, clearly pleased.
Marco (playful)
— Val? Nah… I prefer Tina. Sounds softer… classier. You like it?
Val felt her cheeks heat up. She quickly looked away, trying to hide the blush rising to her face.
Lorenzo, who had been watching silently, suddenly stood up. He placed his cup on the table, his eyes shifting between Marco and Valentina with faint amusement.
Lorenzo (deep voice, slightly ironic)
— I'll go get your friend. And watch out for this guy… he's a real womanizer.
He threw the line like a well-aimed jab, then walked upstairs without another word.
---
Val and Marco were now alone. Their eyes met again instantly, as if pulled by something invisible. Neither looked away.
Val (inner thoughts, biting her lip)
Good thing he's not Chloe's man. But… if Lorenzo's right, what does that mean? That Marco's the type who plays around with girls? No… I need to stay focused. I'm not some one-night thing.
Marco (inner thoughts, jaw tightening)
Is Lorenzo serious? Saying that in front of her? Trying to ruin my chances? He's the real ladies' king, and I'm the one getting labeled? No way… I'm not letting this one slip.
The silence grew heavy, almost suffocating.
Finally, Marco broke it.
Marco (curious)
— So… how old are you?
Val shifted slightly on the couch.
Val (pretending to be shy)
— Uh… seventeen. But I'll be eighteen in a few months.
Marco raised his eyebrows slightly, then smiled with satisfaction.
Marco
— Nice… works for me. I'm twenty-one.
Val smiled faintly. His intense gaze made her body react despite herself.
Marco (casual, but probing)
— So… your boyfriend? How's he doing?
Val widened her eyes for a split second, then laughed internally.
Val (inner thoughts)
Wow… instead of asking if I have a boyfriend, he tries to trap me like that? Not bad… I like your technique.
Marco kept staring, waiting.
Marco
— You're not answering?
Val smirked slightly and lied smoothly.
Val (fake calm)
— He's doing great. Everything's perfect.
Marco's reaction was immediate.
Marco (shocked)
— What?! What do you mean "he's doing great"?!
Val held back a laugh, acting innocent.
Val
— What? You asked how he was doing. I answered. No need to shout.
Marco swallowed, forcing a smile.
Marco (trying to recover)
— Yeah… but I thought maybe you weren't in a relationship.
Val (teasing)
— And why's that? I don't look like someone who can be in a serious relationship?
Marco (calm again)
— You do… actually. Your guy's lucky. You're… honestly stunning. And you seem cool too.
Val lowered her eyes slightly, her cheeks burning.
Silence fell again—this time heavier, charged with tension.
---
Footsteps echoed on the stairs. Val turned her head and saw Chloe coming down… in Lorenzo's arms.
He was carrying her like a princess, a faint smile on his lips, while Chloe cuddled against him, wrapped in an oversized sweater.
Lorenzo walked over and gently placed her next to Valentina, who was already beaming.
Val (grinning, teasing)
— Damn girl… you don't walk anymore? Your man carries you now?
Lorenzo, now seated beside Marco, fixed Valentina with a dark look.
Lorenzo (firm, dominant)
— Husband. I'm not her man… I'm her husband.
The words hit like thunder.
Chloe felt a shiver run through her body.
Val (whispering to Chloe, teasing)
— Damn… your husband is intense.
Chloe (smirking)
— You have no idea… he's a real gentleman. Arrogant, controlling… and—
Lorenzo (cutting in, amused)
— You mind not ruining my image in front of your friend?
Chloe (rolling her eyes)
— I'm just telling the truth. And yeah… I like your dominant side. Doesn't mean I'll obey you though.
Val (smiling)
— Exactly. Never lose control over a guy. That's rule number one.
Marco (suddenly curious)
— Wait… so she's single?
Chloe (smirking)
— Yep. Her ex cheated on her. Total loser.
Marco's eyes lit up instantly.
Marco
— So she's single?!
Val glared at Chloe.
Val
— Seriously? You could've kept quiet.
Lorenzo (amused)
— So… you lied to my friend?
Val (embarrassed)
— He asked a trap question! What was I supposed to say?
Laughter filled the room.
---
The atmosphere was lighter now… until suddenly—
The doorbell rang.
The sound cut through everything.
Everyone froze.
Marco (frowning)
— Lorenzo… were you expecting Fabio?
Lorenzo shook his head.
He stood up immediately and walked to the door, tension in every step.
He opened it—
A delivery man stood there, holding a sealed envelope.
Lorenzo (cold, suspicious)
— Who's that for?
Delivery man
— Miss Chloe Martin.
Lorenzo's jaw tightened instantly.
Lorenzo (dark voice)
— It's Mrs. Chloe. Who gave you that?
Delivery man
— I… don't know. No name. Just told me to deliver it here.
Lorenzo snatched the envelope violently.
He tore it open—
A phone fell into his hand.
It started vibrating immediately.
He turned it on—
His breath stopped.
On the screen… Chloe's father lay in a hospital bed, weak, barely alive.
Lorenzo (under his breath)
— What the hell…
A message popped up.
He opened it.
Message:
"Your father-in-law has one hour left. I thought your wife might want to see him one last time. Poor Chloe… she'll be destroyed when she finds out he was dying all along, that he lied to her, marrying her off to you for money. Money that couldn't even save him… something he knew from the start."
Lorenzo's blood ran cold.
Then rage exploded inside him.
His grip tightened around the phone.
Lorenzo (low, furious)
— You bastard… whoever you are, I'll find you… and bury you alive.
From the living room—
Chloe (worried)
— Babe? Is everything okay? Who is it?
Lorenzo didn't answer.
He slid the phone back into the envelope, then locked eyes with the delivery man.
Lorenzo (deadly calm)
— Listen carefully. If I ever see you anywhere near my house again… I'll kill you on the spot. And tell whoever sent you this.