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“Really?” He didn’t look surprised.
“Yes, there are things he’s said and done that don’t add up.”
“Okay—”
“Drake said he hired a private investigator to prove Riley was faking a pregnancy. But why would he need to do that if they hadn’t slept together in a year? And what would motivate her to lie in the first place?”
“She probably wanted to play on your insecurities. It was a desperate ploy to come between you and Drake.”
“That’s what I thought at first, but what if it’s not? My father paid Riley half a million to leave Drake at the altar. I was the replacement bride. But Drake had to know I wasn’t Riley. Veil or not, one look at my body should’ve been enough to realize I wasn’t his fiancée.
“Why would she accept money from my father, only to return and play these games? Why did he marry me?”
“What are you getting at, Alessandra?”
“Please, just tell me the truth. I know Drake lied to me about the wedding. But I don’t know his motives behind it. I think his anger was a way of deflecting his own guilt.” Her foot bounced in agitation.
“Alessandra.” Noah sighed. “Are you sure about this? Riley’s a nuisance, but I don’t think she’s dangerous. She played her hand and lost.”
“You’re right. Our biggest threat is Luca.”
“Why did he come after us like that? He’s your ex, isn’t he?”
“There are things you don’t know about Luca. It’s painful to talk about my past.”
Alessandra fell quiet, and Noah took her hand again, seeing the sudden shift in her.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Alessandra?” Noah asked softly, but she was already gone, transported into her feelings.
“Luca wasn’t always like this. We grew up together: Marcello, Luca, and me.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t you dare make excuses for him, Alessandra! He doesn’t deserve your sympathy. You shouldn’t heroicize a monster like him.”
Alessandra wiped a tear from her eye. “I’m not. I’m trying to explain so you’ll realize what happened wasn’t your fault,” she said, opening the emotional wounds that had only begun to heal with Drake’s love. It was important that Noah understood her. She hoped it would help bring him some comfort. The only way for them to move forward was by divulging her past.
“It wasn’t your fault either, Alessandra,” he said softly.
Alessandra took a deep breath.
Growing up, Alessandra was sheltered. She had no friends, no one to play with except the guards, who occasionally indulged the young girl in hide-and-seek because she was cute. Alessandra used to follow Marcello and Luca everywhere because she was bored and she admired them. They hardly acknowledged her, and when they did, they teased her mercilessly. They referred to her as la peste, but it didn’t stop her.
The lonesome Alessandra took the attention they offered, even though it was negative. As they grew older, Marcello was always at Papà’s side, learning to be his successor. This left Luca time to notice Alessandra.
As the woman in the family, Alessandra was taught to cook and clean. She began serving meals before the age of 10. The woman’s role was to entertain the men. She was enrolled in dance classes and had a vocal coach so she could sing as she played the piano. She would close her eyes as her graceful fingers moved along the ivory keys, and she could swear she heard her mother singing along.
Alessandra was at her father’s beck and call when he had guests. Sometimes they would applaud her, and she basked in their adoration. All she wanted to do was prove she was a good daughter and worthy of her father’s love.
As a teen, the comments from her father’s men changed. They often commented about Alessandra’s blossoming beauty and new curves. They said her talents were wasted in front of the piano and should be found lying on her back. She was stubborn and didn’t want to be used for her father’s gain. She had her own dreams and goals for her future.
She wanted unconditional love. She cried herself to sleep many nights wishing someone would comfort her. All she wanted was a touch that was gentle, not a hand that left bruises. She was so desperate for love that she clung to Luca the moment he smiled at her and stopped calling her a pest.
Luca was already in his 20s, and she was just 16 years old. Alessandra loved his maturity and willingness to teach her about intimacy.
The first time he kissed her, he didn’t even ask. They sat on a bench beneath a large oak tree in the park. Alessandra couldn’t remember what they were talking about, but she was laughing. The next thing she knew, his hot lips were on hers.
Alessandra fell in love with him at that moment. Luca wanted her just as badly; they didn’t care if it was appropriate. They began dating behind Tony’s back.
She convinced Russell to accompany her on dates. He would turn his back to give them privacy. Alessandra knew the best hiding spots and would meet Luca for secret make-out sessions.
