“And I thought we agreed no strings attached,” I snap.
“I’m not typically a man who gets told no a lot.”
“So, because of your wounded ego, you’ve now sought me out a year later to ruin my life? Make it make sense, Javier. You could have looked for me right after I left Paris if I mattered so much to you.”
“I considered it for a brief moment and decided you weren’t worth the trouble. After those first few weeks, I hadn’t thought of you at all until my father passed. Then, suddenly, I found myself in quite a conundrum. I needed a wife, and much to my surprise, when the realization popped into my head, your face followed.”
“Why?” I ask through gritted teeth
“Evidently my subconscious never let you go. I thought you were special, Raina. The memory of you stuck with me, and I thought you were worth pursuing. Perhaps some part of me had fallen for the woman who discarded me.”
“This isn’t how you treat someone you supposedly love.”
“You misunderstand my words. Thememoryof you was placed on a pedestal, but when I came to New York and observed you for a few days, I realized my recollection was jaded. However, by that point, the clock was ticking. I neededyou to agree with pursuing my plans, but when I asked for your assistance, you came up with your fake fiancé ruse. Not very convincing, I might add, but I could see the fire behind your eyes. You did not want to make this easy for me. And I enjoy a challenge.”
“So now what, Javier? Obviously you’ve succeeded. You got what you want. Revenge. My humiliation. You’ve ruined the only relationship I’ve ever wanted.”
He shrugs, his smile callous as he rubs his jaw. “Now I will return home to Spain. Had you just carried out the plan as I wished, none of this would have happened. Your beloved lawyer would still be wrapped around your finger; in fact, this lovely dinner”—he gestures to the table—“would likely still be happening. But it all unraveled the moment you left my father’s funeral and the truth came out. You are of no use to me anymore.”
A mechanical laugh floats from my lips. “I’m so glad now I’m officially useless to you so you’ll fuck off.”
“Trust me when I say there is nothing more that I want than to never see you again, Raina. I assume my heirloom ring is not on that chain between your breasts right now, so I will have one of my men fetch it tomorrow from your apartment. Have it ready by 10 a.m.” He exhales air through his nostrils in a silent laugh, like he’s mocking me. Leaning down, he kisses both of my cheeks as though he’s saying goodbye to an old friend rather than a newfound foe.
Then he leaves, giving me his back as he saunters to the elevator without a care in the goddamn world.
I don’t exhale until the doors close behind him.
Falling to my knees, a silent sob racks through my body. It’s a desperate pull for air as I struggle to breathe.
My head swims.
It feels like the world is collapsing around me, the weight of the last thirty minutes bearing down with excruciating force.
Numb.
My entire body and soul is numb.
Fishing my phone from the pocket of my peacoat, I call Luciano. My hand shakes as I bring it to my ear, listening as it rings continuously before clicking to voicemail.
Frantically, I hang up and try again.
This time, it rings twice before he denies it.
I don’t leave a message.
Using the table for leverage, I pick myself up off the floor and look at the abandoned dinner date Luciano planned for us.
The heaters cast a warm blanket around where I stand, my fingertips brushing along the delicate tablecloth on the table where we should be sitting at right now. My heart aches as I take it all in, appreciating every detail he put into it.
Laughter plays in my head, the vision of a hypothetical movie, of what could have been.
My eyes squeeze shut.
I will not cry again.
He asked for time, so I’ll respect it and give him space. For now, it’s the only thing I can do.
Blowing out a shaky breath, my fingers wrap around the neck of the half-empty wine bottle, and I pull it off the table, giving everything one last fleeting glance before I head back to my apartment, chugging the rest of the wine on the way down.
