Chapter 4

(Valeria’s POV)

The party ended soon after. Matteo went down to the underground garage to bring around his car, while Luciana and I waited near the private entrance of the club.

We had barely reached the front doors when Luciana suddenly patted her coat.

"My phone is missing. Valeria, could you go back and look for it? I'll check around here. Maybe I dropped it somewhere."

I nodded and returned to the private room.

I searched under the tables, around the seats, and even asked one of the club's guards to check the room, but Luciana's phone was nowhere to be found.

When I returned to the entrance, I walked straight into chaos.

Matteo had one of the club's men by the collar while two security guards held the man back by his arms, trying to stop the fight.

Blood ran from the corner of the man's mouth. He spat onto the floor, cursed under his breath, and stumbled away when the guards finally released him.

Behind Matteo, Luciana stood trembling, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were swollen and red, making it clear she had been crying for some time.

The moment Matteo saw me, he shoved the guards aside and strode toward me. His hand closed tightly around my wrist before I could take a step back.

"Valeria, did you leave her here alone on purpose?"

His voice was cold and angry.

"Do you have any idea what could have happened to her? This is a Romano-controlled club. Anyone who wants to challenge our family could have used this chance. If I hadn't heard the trouble and rushed over, Luciana could have..."

He stopped, but his anger was clear.

I frowned.

After everything I had endured that night, his accusation was the final thing I could tolerate.

"She told me she'd left her phone in the private room, so I went back to look for it. How is that my fault?"

Matteo's expression hardened. His eyes narrowed.

"Her phone was in her hand the entire time. When did she ever leave it in that room?"

He looked at me as if I were someone who had betrayed the Romano family.

"If you're going to make excuses, at least come up with one that makes sense."

I froze.

I almost couldn't even speak.

Then everything suddenly became clear.

Luciana slowly stepped forward and grabbed Matteo's arm. Her voice was weak and tearful.

"Matteo, why are you yelling at her? Who gave you the right to speak to her like that?"

Then she turned toward me, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Valeria didn't do it on purpose. I'm sure of that. I was the one who wandered away from her, so it's my fault that I ended up alone."

I stared at her, a tightness forming in my chest.

Twenty years…

We had known each other for twenty years. We had grown up together, shared our secrets, and called each other sisters.

But now, she was using such a cheap trick against me.

In that moment, twenty years of friendship suddenly felt worthless.

I let out a quiet, bitter laugh and looked at both of them.

"I already explained it. She asked me to go back for her phone, so I did."

I pulled my wrist free from Matteo's hand.

"Believe me or don't. I don't care anymore."

Matteo's face became even colder.

"Valeria, you've disappointed me."

He paused before continuing.

"If you're angry because of what happened earlier tonight, you don't need to take it out on Luciana. And after everything, she still considers you her best friend."

Matteo slipped an arm around Luciana's shoulders and guided her toward the waiting car. One of the Romano guards immediately opened the door for them, and they got inside without looking back.

I stayed where I was, watching the black car pull away from the club and disappear into the night.

Only after it was gone did the pain finally return.

My eyes burned, and I took a deep breath, forcing the tears back.

Crying over those two was no longer worth it.