Luca's POV III

Whoever had said love doesn't bring pain had lied. 

After our intimate night together, I'd tried everything I could to get Cecelia to leave, but it just always ended in just a fight.

We were both walking on eggshells around each other, yet she refused to leave.

It got me thinking:

Does she love me that much to stick by my side, or have I made her used to toxic situations?

There was a sizzling tension between us that was threatening to explode anytime soon. The fact that I was also busy making arrangements at the mansion made it easier to avoid her, but that meant I had to see Cara.

She, I knew, I had to avoid at all costs. There was no use acting like I was pissed at her; she'd see right through me. 

Unlike Cecelia who kept overlooking everything I did, and I couldn't be more glad when Miguel reached out to me to begin the plan.

It was going to be the last straw for her, and as I anticipated—it was.

Approaching Tina was overrated. I already knew it'd be easy, but it was too easy.

How did a woman like that end up being friends with Cara? 

We'd always said hellos now and then, but once I reached out again and stretched the conversation, she didn't even think something strange of it, and then after days of back-and-forth-texting, we agreed to meet up.

Sceptical, I considered backing out.

What if it was just an act? Maybe she'd show up with Cece and Cara, and my plans would be ruined. 

It was a 50-50 risk I decided to take, and I was glad I did. 

A club meeting was the most convenient arrangement for a cheating scandal. After a whole day of laughing and chatting unnecessarily, I dressed up in the most extravagant way possible and told Cecelia I was going in to do some work at the mansion, hoping she'd get jealous and trail me.

I basically gave her all the signs.

It was so disappointing to realise that after all the irritating grinding and fondling we exchanged, there was no one watching the show.

Time was running out.

I had to pick up the pace, so when Tina invited me to her home for a hangout, I went willingly, knowing what to expect. 

The guilt I felt that night ate away at my sanity; fueled by it, I was the one who tore into the tension.

Was she so stupid?

Wasn't it so obvious that I was cheating?

How could she think so little of herself to accept all I was doing?

Every word I spewed that day was only a mirage of the real words I couldn't say.

And I finally got the result I wanted. 

She left.

Then I wept.

As embarrassing as it sounds, I cried my eyes out that day, knowing I may never get her back because her life was more important.

When my affair came into the open, I didn't expect it. I was already used to the normal act with or without anyone watching, so it didn't even occur to me that she might decide to tail me at the end.

It only made my job easier. 

Tina grew to trust me more, Cecelia hated me more, and Cara was beginning to get uncomfortable.

Getting Tina to spill everything and introduce me to her mother and plans was also very easy.

Everything about that woman was easy. 

With a few words about how I hated Adonis and Cara and how they didn't deserve to have the throne, I had her under my thumb.

The sex part was a joy for her. 

When the day to finally kick Cara out came, I prepped my acting a million times.

A new variable had emerged.

The throne was coming to me, and although I knew it wouldn't—Adrian would never allow it, I played along. Yet things weren't clear.

The mother and daughter weren't in sync.

I could see through Sarah—something was holding her back. It was always on the tip of her tongue, but Tina didn't notice.

I needed to find out what it was. 

Miguel kept his word, and we worked perfectly fine together. Things were going fine until Cecelia, who was meant to leave, moved into the mansion.

My plan backfired. That was even more dangerous.

Pulling all stops, I did everything I could to get both she and Cara out. Threatening Cara with Adonis's love for what he does, was the deal sealer.

Now that we had the mansion to ourselves, we could proceed with the next step, which involved luring Adrian out.

The look Cara had on her face the day she left didn't sit well with me. I didn't want her to get caught up in the mess, but I also didn't want her to be unhappy and stressed, so being controlled by my emotions, I did the only thing I could think of.

....

Flashback: The day Cara was told to leave...

As soon as Cara stepped out of the study, I knew I had to do something. It wouldn't be fair for her to leave that way. 

I was confused. 

What could I do without drawing attention to her or causing her to refuse to stay aside?

The wheels in my head turned, and finally, I got it.

With a quiet, flimsy excuse, I walked out of the study, instructing one of the guards to tell her to meet me in the underground basement. 

I doubted she'd show up yet, but it was worth a try.

As the dragging of feet reached my ears, I sat with my hands crossed over my chest, watching her trot in with bloodshot eyes.

Calling her to clear things up was the right choice.

"Why did you call me down here?" She spat dryly, copying my stance. "The things you said weren't enough; you want to kill me too? Well, go ahead. What are you waiting for? Do it and tell Adonis you killed his wife when he awakes." Her eyes kept shooting daggers at me. "You know something, Luca?"

She paused, and I continued to watch silently.

"I have known Tina longer than I have you, but your betrayal cuts deeper than hers. You were more than Adonis's best friend to me. You were mine too. You were the first person I warmed up to in this mansion. You made life enjoyable for me. I am not even talking about Cecelia—that's a different story entirely." She rushed out in one breath, then added quietly after a minute.

"Adonis would be so disappointed." 

"No, he won't." 

Her confused eyes met mine; it was still hard to keep up the pretence. 

"Are you trying to say you don't care if he is?"

"No. I'm saying he'd understand why I'm doing these things. I can't say much, Cara."

Her eyes widened. The sad look immediately disappeared, and she pulled on a curious one.

Oh no.

"Are you saying it's an act? Like the last time? Even the cheating too?"

I gave her a stern look.

"I might've broken the volume control, but the video coverage of this room is working perfectly fine. We can easily be watched, so keep up the appearance." 

Her expression fell at once, and I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Things are happening. I'm on top of it all."

"Can—

I shook my head to silence her.

"No questions. No contributions. Nothing. I only called you back to give a hint. I will take care of everything; just go to your father's place and do not ever call me. Ever." 

"I—

"Cara!" I barked, and she shuddered at my tone.

"Do not make me regret doing this. Please leave quietly." 

She stared back for a while before nodding in agreement, turning to head out of the room until she paused again.

My God. Were women always this stubborn?

"Cecelia—

"Cara, go."

"Listen to me!" She snapped back.

"Is Cecelia's situation an act too?"

I looked away, pain flaring up in my chest at that question.

"Does it matter? Either way, I slept with Tina." 

She sighed.

"It does, but I'll respect your decision. I am not to say a word to her, right?"

"Please." I forced through a lump in my throat.

And with that, she walked out.

The next few weeks were confusing for everyone at the mansion. They wanted to question why their Capo's pregnant wife had moved out. Why I wasn't with Cecelia anymore but a woman whom they knew as her friend. Why was Adonis's mother back?

But since the second-in-command was fine with it, they had to be fine with it too. 

The first call I gave Cara was not to give her updates as she thought but to ask about Cecelia. I knew she'd surely mention her at least once. 

I missed her so badly, but I was the one who willingly volunteered to shoulder the burden. 

The day I was finally going to announce my takeover to the men came... it wasn't going to happen, but Miguel and I wanted to see if it'd lure Miguel out. 

Before we could even put it into practice, it lured out someone else.

"Luca." The deep voice I hadn't heard in two months reached my ears. It sounded scratchy, and when my eyes snapped up to meet his, I didn't care if the wall was shouldering all his weight or if he could barely stand.

A feeling I haven't felt in a while spread through me.

Joy.

I guess I was the only one happy because even in his weak state, his stare looked deadly dangerous.

"What did I just hear about you becoming Capo? Wait." His eyes darted around. 

"More importantly, tell me why you're in my study with Tina sitting on your lap."