Chapter 233

What did I do?

What was I thinking?

Why did I leave not only my daughter but also Christian to play the hero?

I closed my eyes and took a breath, calming myself down. I did this for the Lamberti’s and Siena’s future. The only reason why Berto had the nerve to go after the Lamberti's was because Fabio had done it as well. It was all my fault.

Frightened, I wiggled my hand, which was chained to the bed, and held back my tears. After breakfast and Berto’s outburst, Luca took me to my room.

He sat in a chair in the corner and was too occupied with his phone.

“What do you want for lunch?” Luca looked up. “Do you have any cravings?”

I balled my fist in disbelief. “Cravings?” I scoffed. After Berto’s behavior, lunch and cravings were the last things I could think about. “I’m not hungry.”

“But the baby…”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You have to—“

“I’m not hungry!” I shouted. “And if you really want to do something, you can bring me a doctor.”

Luca chuckled softly and got up from his chair as I scooted myself backward until I couldn’t move any further. Who knew if he was equally as crazy as his dad? Why would I even yell at him?

He stepped closer and closer while I shut my eyes in fear. I could feel his breath on my face and froze, preparing myself for the worst.

“I told you I wasn’t going to hurt you.” Luca moved his finger over the handcuffs. “So I don’t know why you’re pushing me.”

Shockingly enough, Luca had released me from the cuffs, allowing me to move my hands. I opened my eyes instantl, forcing myself to look at him.

“You’re pregnant.” He said, stepping away. “I understand that you don’t feel like eating after everything you’ve just seen, but you need to think about your health…you need to think about the baby.”

My health? So after everything that went down, he suddenly decided now was the perfect time to look after my health?

I can’t do this any longer.

I just can’t.

How could I even survive this without my family, Christian or Siena? No matter how many times I tried convincing myself that this was the right decision, I could no longer stay here.

“I’ll have lunch with you!” I blurted. “For the baby!”

Should I just escape?

If I could escape from Christian, I could also escape from his uncle.

By now, Berto must’ve already returned Siena’s money and the warehouse, so I could just go back home and forget about all of this—right?

Deep down, I knew something like that would only provoke Berto even more. He made a promise, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to keep mine.

I got up from the bed and brushed my fingers through my hair, making myself look at least a bit presentable.

Luca rolled his eyes. “It’s not fashion week.” He spoke. “We should eat in the garden.”

“And…your dad?”

“He won’t be bothering us.”

Hearing Berto wouldn’t bother us made me feel at ease, but at the same time, I felt anxious because I had no idea what he had planned. Was he really just going to back down after all he had been through?

Would he really sit back and do nothing in exchange for my presence?

Once we reached the garden, Luca set up a table and pulled out a chair for me. Seeing him act as everything was normal made me feel disgusted. Was he even aware of the impact of his choices?

“I know you like pasta.” He came back after a while. “I don’t know if you remember, but I once made it for you, and you loved it—“

“Yes—I’m not stupid.” I cut him off with a polite smile. I had slowly concluded that Luca wasn’t completely crazy. He was lonely, and truthfully I didn’t know whether he was truly the one to blame.

The Lamberti’s had always favored Johnny a lot more, and after conspiring with his dad and Dario, Dario had pushed them aside to stand behind Christian.

Luca had no one, which was why eating pasta with his hostage seemed to be the highlight of his day. To this day, I had no idea whatever I did for him to hate me, but judging by the look in his eyes, it seemed to be a personal thing.

“This looks really good!” I played along, complimenting the pasta. If I was going to make the best out of my time, I should go full out.

Despite the many disrespectful names he had called me, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for his situation.

“You should stop whatever you’re doing and open a restaurant!” I playfully hit his knee, but Luca flinched and backed away, carrying a pained expression. “We did. They gave all of it to Johnny.”

Well, that was a fail.

“Are you in pain?” I looked at his knee, changing the subject. “Did your dad do this to you?”

“My dad?” Luca frowned, offended. “It was Christian.”

There was my second fail.

We ate in silence as I did not dare to say another word. All my words would somehow turn to the Lambertis or Christian, so I decided to play it safe.

“You don’t want to be here, do you?“ Luca suddenly asked.

“Of course, I don’t.” I nodded with a smile. “I’m here because I can’t seem to find another way to protect Christian and my daughter.”

Luca sighed. “I know I told you dad wouldn’t hurt you…but he’s lost it.” He spoke. “It’ll only be a matter of time before he’ll kill you and the baby.”

The baby? He could kill me all he wanted, but not the baby.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I asked, startled. “Do you hate me that much?”

Luca chuckled slightly. “We never really had many issues in the family until you came along.” He dropped his fork. “I’ve always felt invisible, and then you and that baby just had to force yourselves into this family…”

“That baby’s name is Siena, and she’s your cousin.”

Luca scoffed and dismissed my words with his hands, mumbling some insults.

“Remember when you were willing to give your life for me?” I mentioned. “I wish we could go back to those days.”

Luca cleared his throat and turned away from my eyes. “You know, it’s not too late to switch teams and join Christian.”

“I can’t.”

“Cannot or won’t?” I tried convincing him. “Dario did.”

“And he did it for you!” Luca raised his voice. “That fool is so desperately in love with you that he couldn’t work against you, and don’t think I won’t forget how you played him as well, making him believe he ever got a chance.”

I was well aware of Dario’s feelings, but that could not be the only reason. I bet someone like him couldn’t bear being around these negative people anymore and somehow made the right decision.

“That’s the effect you seem to have on people, but it’s not working on me.” Luca shook his head.

“Never.”

I pouted slightly. “I know you don’t want to hear my opinion, but I do feel like the Lamberti’s are to blame for your situation, and I feel so so sorry for you.” I reached for his hand as he pulled away.

“Your family hasn’t always been there for you, and I get that because neither has mine, but that doesn’t mean others have to pay for it,” I spoke. “Christian told me all kinds of stories about how sweet you used to be. Lucio is waiting for you—and I know you don’t want to hurt him.”

For a second, Luca’s eyes softened. “Uncle Lucio and Christian are the reason why no one dares to take me seriously.” He stated. “My grandpa betrayed my dad, left him behind to burn after dad gave his life for uncle Lucio, so you can’t just expect for me to let Christian order me around like that.”

“I understand.”

“You do?”

“Yes, your grandpa betrayed you, Johnny, your dad…Christian hasn’t always been that nice to you —but that doesn’t mean you have to take it out on me.” I shrugged. “If you want to make Christian miserable by taking me away from him, fine—but you should at least think about your cousins.”

“What?”

“You grew up without a parent, so would you really want the same for them?” I frowned, thinking perhaps I could change his mind.

“What if Christian loses it and ends up like your dad? Will you take responsibility for your cousins?”

I watched as Luca’s lips trembled, meaning I was finally getting somewhere. Deep down, he still had a heart. It would only be near impossible to get through to him.

He grasped the table with his hands and got up.

“Lunch is finished. It’s time for you to go back to your room.” He spoke coldly.

His cold hand was wrapped around my wrist as he dragged me back to the room. I didn’t struggle and did everything he asked me to. After all, he was only following orders, and disobeying him would make it hard for the both of us.

“The cuffs are not necessary. I won’t go anywhere.” I spoke, sitting down on the bed. It wasn’t like I could escape this room anyway. There wasn’t even a proper window.

“Dad said—“

“Do you always listen to your dad?” I smirked. Luca glared at me and threw the cuffs around my wrists. Maybe offending him wasn’t the smartest thing to do.

“You might think you’re free, but the truth is you’re still following arounds orders.” I sighed dramatically. “You can also choose your own path, stop your dad and let me go to my daughter.”

Luca turned his back.

“Never.”