Chapter 7

A forbode VICTORIA’S POV While sipping my blue pea tea, I stared at the night sky. Though I wasn’t much of a tea lover, it had a unique flavor, something learned from someone special in the past.

My hand fell to my stomach, stroking and caressing. How I wished things were different. I wanted to be with Alessandro, especially through the pregnancy. But I couldn’t.

I had given him three years. Most people even grew to care for animals they didn’t like if they lived with them that long. But I had been his wife, and he had never grown to care for me. I didn’t know how he would react after hearing about the baby. But I didn’t care anymore, not for him or his arrogant family.

This child was mine, and I was its mother, end of discussion.

“Penny, for your thoughts?” Antonio’s deep voice caught my attention. I peered at him in the porch entrance, leaning against the door with his brow raised. My, he looked handsome. And he was incredibly understanding. The woman who landed him would be awfully lucky.

I smiled, shaking my head. “Nothing. Just this and that.”

He sighed, not hiding his concern, then joined me inside, sitting on the sofa. “I only have one sister, and I always want your happiness, even over mine. I know leaving Alessandro isn’t easy, but I hope you stand your ground.”

“Don’t worry, Ant. I’ve had enough of him,” I replied truthfully. “So? How is everything?” I asked, feeling we needed to catch up. It had been a while since I had last spoken to my brother on a regular basis.

Antonio smiled, taking a cup of tea from the tray next to me. “Fine. E. Shine is holding a jewelry lunch function tomorrow.” He paused and then said, “Alessandro has been invited.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “It doesn’t matter to me anymore,” I said with a dismissive wave. “So?

Found a date for the day?”

“Not yet,” he said, scratching his neck, looking uncomfortable. “Why don’t you come back to the company as a jewelry designer?”

I blinked and eyed him, my gaze questioning his obvious dodge. But I supposed he had his reasons, and I didn’t want to press him. So I just went along with the change in topic. “I haven’t done jewelry design for years,” I said, feeling hesitant about the prospect.

“Don’t be silly. You’ve always been a talented designer. Besides, the company isn’t mine alone. It’s yours too. Make a name for yourself, Victoria. Make your mark.”

I nodded. “Maybe you’re right. But... let’s not announce my identity to the public. Not yet. I want to live a simple life for a little while.”

Antonio chuckled and said, “People die for fame, and you run away from it.”

I shrugged.

“Guess your married name has at least one benefit—no one will find out.” He winked, and I laughed.

****

ALESSANDRO’S POV On the evening of E. Shine’s jewelry launch, I donned a black tie with silver lining, matching my suit. I couldn’t help but think of Victoria as I added the black stone cufflinks while wishing I didn’t have to attend. But being a public figure often required attending parties and events, whether or not I liked it.

At least I admired the owner, Antonio Edwards, though we weren’t friends. But he was about my age and a successful heir of the company, and I respected that.

Once I finished getting ready, I strode down to the hall with one minor concern. I had no female companion for the evening, and it was unseemly for a man of my stature to attend such a party alone.

But what could I do? It wasn’t like I could ask Victoria or produce a date out of thin air.

Then, as I entered the foyer, still fiddling with my cufflinks, the sound of a lady’s high heels clicking on the floor caught my attention. I looked up and saw Camilla walking through the door in a silver dress with a split in the side from her thigh down. Why did it appear that she was aware of the function? And that she intended to join me? I frowned.

With a sultry smile, she said, “I heard you need a female companion this evening. Is there anyone better than me?” She posed with a hand on her waist.

My eyes dragged over her body, and I had to admit she was attractive, even sexy. Still, she was no match for Victoria.

Ugh. How was it that Victoria was still lingering in my head?

I needed to focus on the present, so I forced my attention back to Camilla. But she irked me. Victoria’s decision to leave me had prompted Camilla to increase her attempts to impose herself on me, and I didn’t like it. So I said, “Don’t you remember what I said to you last time?”

Shamelessly, she stepped forward, closing the distance between us as she spoke. “But Alessandro, even if you don’t love me anymore, you can’t forget who rescued you from the forest years ago.” Her fingers gripped my collar, pulling me toward her. “Don’t you dare forget who saved your life, Devonte.”

How had I never realized she put a wedge between Victoria and me. When I thought about the past, it was always her keeping me away from Victoria, using that one deed, holding it over me. My jaw tightened at those thoughts, and I said, “Stay away,” removing her hands from my collar and pushing her away. I wanted to say more, but Calvin entered the hall.

“The car is ready, sir,” he said.

Without hesitating, I strode out of the hall, leaving the mansion.

Camilla’s heels clicked loudly behind me. “Walk slower. Wait for me,” she called.

Ignoring her, I made my way to the car and slid inside.

Calvin peered at me while holding the door. Then he lowered his voice and said, “Miss Camilla saved your life, and you’ve been treating her poorly recently.”

Treating her poorly? My eyes widened for a moment, then I glared at him. It was Camilla who was the source of my confusion. “Shut up,” I snapped. “Why are you talking so much today?”

Camilla reached the car. I couldn’t very well tell her to get lost, so I said nothing when Calvin held the door for her to get inside.

Just this once, I promised myself. There would be no Camilla after that evening.