Chapter 3

The next morning, Luca shows up with bags full of stuff.

He frowns at the boxes in the living room.

"Sofia, are you moving?"

I cut in before my mom can answer.

"No. Just cleaning out some junk."

Luca glances at me, then puts the stuff in the fridge like he lives here.

"Sofia, Mia asked me to bring these. Fancy imported supplements."

"Her morning sickness is bad, so she couldn't come herself."

I go rigid.

I already know he's been cheating with Mia, but my heart still twists anyway.

Last month, just because I mentioned wanting to see the northern lights in Norway, he dropped a multi-million dollar deal without blinking.

And last week, when a rival family's men cornered me, he called in every soldier he had and made an example of them.

Luca's love can be split between two women.

Every time he drops me home and tucks me in, he still has the energy to run to Mia after.

My mom glances at me, worried.

"Tell Mia to rest. She doesn't need to worry about me."

Luca nods, then pulls a stack of papers from his briefcase.

"Right. Sofia, these are some good single men I know."

"Look them over for Lena. She's not getting any younger."

I glance over on instinct.

The first profile is Vinnie.

My stomach turns. I run to the bathroom and dry heave.

My mom rushes over and pats my back.

"Is it your stomach again? You've been throwing up for days."

Luca stares at me, brows drawn tight.

While my mom goes to get medicine, he grabs my wrist, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"You're pregnant."

I rip my hand away, disgusted.

"No."

But he just stares at my stomach and sneers.

"You haven't had your period in two months."

It feels like someone's tearing my heart out. I can barely breathe.

I scream and shove him.

"It's none of your business! You're Mia's husband. She's the one you should worry about!"

Before Mia showed up, Luca only ever chased after me.

He knew I liked spicy food, not sweet—knew my exact order.

He knew my messed-up cycle better than I did.

Every month my cramps put me in bed, unable to stand.

Luca had his mom reach out to a doctor she knew for a prescription.

The week before my period, he'd stop going out with his crew.

He'd stay home just to brew my tea and watch over me.

His mom used to tease me, saying she'd never seen Luca so careful with any other girl.

She'd grin and ask my mom when we were getting engaged.

But then my mom adopted Mia.

She was small and pitiful, like a strong wind could knock her over.

One morning during a run, Mia passed out and took me down with her.

We both got hurt, but Luca picked Mia up without a second thought and carried her to the nurse's office.

After that, I wasn't the girl Luca protected anymore. Mia was.

I cried over it. Even tried to cut Luca off.

He'd just sigh and pat my head, saying Mia was an orphan and so pitiful.

The strong should look after the weak.

So Luca made me look after Mia too.

The new clothes my mom sent me, Luca let Mia pick first.

The matching lunches my mom packed, Luca dumped all my meat onto Mia's tray.

He could take care of Mia all he wanted. But why did I have to be the stepping stone in their love story?

Footsteps. I wipe my tears in a panic.

For a second, I think I see pain flash through Luca's eyes, but it's gone as fast as it came.

Right before my mom walks back in, he leans close to my ear.

"Get rid of the baby. Mia's sensitive. She'll think you and I aren't done. She's always lacked security."

I've said those exact same words to Luca before.

On that hiking trip, when we set up camp, I said I felt scared and wanted to sleep next to him.

He frowned and refused. Said he had to stay with Mia.

After my miscarriage, I begged him to stay with me in the hospital.

He said it was Mia's birthday. If he missed it, she'd be heartbroken.

I got jealous. Screamed at him. Asked what the hell Mia even was to him.

He looked at me like I was crazy, disgust plain in his eyes.

"Lena, you're too sensitive. I only see Mia as a sister."

It wasn't me being sensitive. It was him crossing the line.

I laugh coldly and shove him away.

"That's my business. Not yours."