Vivienne's Pov.

Luca pulls out of me and raises a brow. I feel his hands tremble slightly against my shoulders. I can't look at him. I don't have the courage to.

“Look at me, Viv.” He says calmly at first. I don't respond and keep my gaze down. “Look. At. Me.” He repeats firmly, forcing me to meet his gaze with his hands under my chin.

I bite my lower lip as it quivers. I'm still crying. I'm a very silent crier and I don't know if it's good or bad.

“What were you talking about?”

“I can't keep doing this, Luca.”

“Doing what?” His voice is raised, sharper than before.

“Don't yell, you're going to wake them up.”

“I don't care.”

“Well, I care, Luca. I care about this, about how you fuck her and then fuck me, about how she gets to kiss you and have you when and however she wants and no one ever judges her. I can't have that because you're not mine and I'm not yours.”

“Stop.” He cuts me off.

“No. I'm not doing this anymore. You're getting married so face it. I'm not going to keep being your dirty little secret while you claim another woman publicly.”

“You're just being paranoid right now and you know it. Is it because of what I said? I just got carried away with the whole thing. I didn't really mean it. If you want it to be just sex we can keep it that way.”

“Damn you.” I seethe as I push him off me.

He grabs my wrist and I yank his hold off. I pick up a towel from the cabinet and wrap it around my body. I don't want to take time getting dressed.

He didn't mean it? I feel so stupid now. More tears are flowing freely. My body is slowly trembling and I can't even see clearly as I walk out the door, but he grabs me before I open it again.

“You're being unreasonable right now. Is it because of him? That moron at the party last night?”

I wriggle out of his grasp, but he's holding me too close. My breasts are pressed against his chest and I can feel his growing hard-on against me.

“I don't even know him. Maybe it is because of him. You get to harm whoever touches me and I have to watch you get married to another woman.”

“It's not that way and you know it.” He hisses. “You're starting to sound like you're having feelings already, Viv. Are you—”

“And why should I love a monster like you? You're a liar and a cheat.” The words come out fast as he slowly lets me go. A surge of hurt spasms through his eyes as he shuts them, then opens them with a sigh.

I want to regret what I said but I'm too angry to. I just wanted to hurt him as much as he's hurt me, and I'm right, he's a liar and a cheat. It's something he knows.

“Get out.” He orders.

“I was already leaving.” I frown as I storm out of the bedroom, shutting the door loudly behind me.

I've barely taken a few steps when I bump into Wren. My breath catches in my throat.

“Good morning, Viv.” She yawns, adjusting her bathrobe. “You're up early?”

“I, umm... the shower in my room stopped working. I just came up to see if any are working.” I lie through my teeth, hugging my legs together to hide her fiancé's fluid stuck on me.

“Did you find any?”

“Yes, I'll just go get my things.” I add nervously.

“Okay, I'm just going to check on Lu. I got so carried away last night that I fell asleep on the couch. Can you imagine that?” She's laughing. I don't like how she's trying to make me comfortable like she's an older sister that I can trust, but I just smile.

“Yeah, I'm still hungover as well.”

“I'll see you at the party tonight.” She grins as she taps my shoulder and walks away.

I resume my steps down the stairs. When she knocks, Luca doesn't open on time. He's probably hiding my things and changing the sheets like the dirty man he is.

The penthouse is exceedingly large, one of the places that Luca owns. They had chosen this because it'll accommodate the whole family and the bridesmaids. I don't know any of them and I don't have any friends. I've only enjoyed my mom's company, but now she's preoccupied with planning the wedding.

I choose the room next to his to stick to my lie as I walk past. I can hear her laughing. It's funny she can laugh at the jokes of someone who's cheated on her in that room. She's obviously very happy about the wedding. If only she knows.

While I showered, I tried to lean into my anger as I scrubbed his scent off, fighting back tears.

'I didn't really mean it.' His voice echoed within me as I slipped on my dress. How could I have been so stupid to believe him? He couldn't love me. If he loved me then he would be marrying me, not Wren.

Did he love her then? I know that their marriage had been bound to happen. Both their fathers are business partners and they started dating when Luca took over the business. I assumed that it was just a forced marriage and they weren't in love, but they always look so happy together that it makes me feel sick.

Today is going to be the usual again, with them chatting and laughing about the wedding. I'm going to have to pretend again and keep my alcohol intake low. Just as I finish with my sundress, a knock on the door startles me. I open it to see Wren staring at me with a smile. “Hey,” She greets.

“Umm... hi?”

She hands me a shopping bag. I feel my gut twist when I see my dress from last night alongside my underwear that he had ripped out of me. “What...”

“You forgot these, last night. Luca asked me to give you back.” She gives them to me and I collect them with shaky hands, expecting a slap, a curse, or anything. “You should really be careful, Viv. I understand that you want to get laid and all but I hope it's safe. I don't really trust the men that came for the party last night.”

The guilt comes back again. It's dark and annoying. She's playing the elder sister role again like she's trying to befriend me and prove that she's a good sister-in-law.

“Well, you're twenty already so you'll get these things.” She adds nervously.

“I'm nineteen.” I correct.

Was that why he didn't want me? Because he's ten years older? I blink away the thought and stare at his bride.

“Oh... sorry.” Wren giggles.

“Thank you, really.” I force a smile as I tighten my hold on the bag.

“I'll see you at the party, huh?”

“Yes.” I nod as she leaves, then I close the door with a sigh. I roll down the door as I break down in tears. It should end. Maybe he deserves her. I'm going to just get t

he wedding over with and return to France afterward. Maybe that's what I need. I need to leave.