THREE DAYS LATER.
Lying shirtless on the living room couch, wearing nothing but his pajama pants, Lorenzo absentmindedly stroked Chloé's hair. She rested against him, her head nestled on his warm chest, listening to the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat. No words filled the room, only their calm breathing, as if the outside world no longer existed.
It had been three days since he came back. Three days during which they had willingly cut themselves off from everyone and everything, locked away inside the villa, trying to reclaim every second stolen by pain and separation. Only Marco and Chloé knew he was there. Even Valentina still had no idea he had returned.
The peace was absolute… until the doorbell suddenly rang through the living room, shattering the fragile bubble.
Lorenzo (surprised, frowning)
— Baby… were you expecting someone?
Chloé lifted her head, worry creasing her brows. She gently shook her head.
Chloé (softly)
— No, of course not. Val was already here yesterday but… maybe it's her. Go upstairs, quickly. I'll open the door.
She sat up while Lorenzo stood as well. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead before disappearing upstairs. Chloé quickly slipped on her shoes. Her short white nightdress hugged her slightly rounded belly, the discreet sign of her pregnancy. She took a deep breath before walking toward the door.
The moment she opened it, her heart froze.
Carlos stood there, impeccably dressed, holding a bouquet of pink roses. The calculated smirk on his lips promised nothing good.
Carlos (charming smile)
— Hey, Chloé. How are you?
Chloé (standing straight, wary)
— Fine… but what are you doing here? Did you come with Val or…?
Carlos (calmly, stepping closer)
— No, I came alone. I just wanted to check on you… see if you were feeling better. I was thinking about you, so I brought you some roses.
He held the bouquet out to her. Chloé stayed motionless for a second, clearly hesitating between refusing or accepting. In the end, she took them carefully.
Chloé (calm but distant)
— Thank you, they're beautiful… but I'm going to ask you to leave now. I'm still grieving. And I don't want you getting the wrong idea. I may be alone, but I have no intention of opening my heart to someone else. I'll always stay faithful to my husband… Lorenzo.
Carlos' gaze darkened with intensity. He stepped even closer, unnecessarily reducing the distance between them. The air became tense, subtly unhealthy.
Carlos (softly, almost whispering)
— Hey… relax. I'm not asking you to date me right now. I just wanted to see you, support you. That's normal, isn't it? Don't be so hard on yourself.
Chloé (her gaze hardening)
— I accept the flowers… but I'm asking you not to come see me again. I'm your cousin's fr—
Carlos (cutting her off without hesitation, calm but insistent)
— I know. And I'm not expecting anything from you… for now. I'm patient, Chloé. And I know that one day, once your mourning is over, you'll be able to—
Chloé (interrupting him sharply)
— No, that will never happen. You're imagining things. I'm not interested in you, Carlos. Not now, not ever. And now excuse me… I need to rest. I'm pregnant.
The word pregnant hit the space between them like a slap.
She slammed the door shut before he could say another word.
On the other side, Carlos' face twisted instantly. The softness in his eyes shattered, replaced by raw anger. He violently kicked the door, his breathing shaking.
He turned toward his car when his phone rang. He answered harshly.
Carlos (voice red with rage)
— Can you stop calling me?
Voice (cold, authoritative)
— The boss wants to meet her daughter tomorrow night. You better bring her like planned. I'll send you the address.
Carlos (turning pale, trembling voice)
— But… how am I supposed to do that? Chloé barely even lets me near her! How do you expect me to convince her to go out with me?
Voice
— That's not my problem. You were paid for this. You bring her. Figure it out: invite her for coffee, dinner, whatever. Do what you have to do. Period.
Carlos (confused)
— But I—
Beep… beep… beep…
The call ended abruptly.
Carlos remained still for a moment, his face tense, squeezing his phone so tightly he nearly broke it. He cast one final look toward the door, the urge to ring the bell again burning in his eyes… but he stopped himself, driven away by a mix of urgency and frustration.
He walked to his car, got inside, and sped away from the villa.
Inside the living room, Chloé had just placed the bouquet on the coffee table when Lorenzo came downstairs. He approached her, glanced at the flowers, and slightly frowned.
Lorenzo (curious)
— Where did those flowers come from? Who was at the door?
Chloé (stressed)
— It was Carlos… but I swear there's nothing between—
Lorenzo (smirking)
— Shhh. Don't say anything. You don't need to justify yourself. I know that guy does absolutely nothing to you. But him… I'm saving a punishment for him that he'll never forget for the rest of his miserable life.
Hearing that, Chloé's heart tightened and shivered at the same time. Fear, relief, and love all rose inside her at once. She stepped closer to Lorenzo, placed both hands on either side of his face, and looked at him with overwhelming softness, her eyes shining like a doe's.
Chloé (emotional)
— You really believe me?
Lorenzo (softly)
— You're the mother of my heir, and the woman who loves me despite everything I am. So yes, I trust you. And if I had to, I'd trust you with my entire life. Because I know that even if the whole world betrays me… you, kiddo, never would.
A tear instantly rolled down Chloé's cheek. She was deeply touched. Lorenzo, in a gesture both swift and gentle, lifted her by the waist against his chest, surrounding her with his muscular arms. Chloé instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Their lips met immediately, crashing together in a passionate, urgent kiss. The kiss was deep, burning, almost fierce.
Chloé's hands slid into Lorenzo's hair, gripping tightly. Lorenzo's hands caressed the small of her back and her hips, holding her firmly against him. Slowly, he pulled his lips away from hers and buried his face in her neck, covering it with warm, tender kisses. Chloé tilted her head back, her fingers sinking deeper into his hair, encouraging him to continue.
Chloé (moaning softly)
— My love… I want you to make love to me… now… right now… aaaaaaaa… hummm…
Lorenzo carried her toward the couch while keeping her tightly against him, still kissing and licking her neck. He sat down and settled Chloé astride him. His hands slid over her thighs as he gently lifted her short nightdress over her head and tossed it onto the floor. Chloé was left wearing only a thin thong, her body trembling beneath his gaze.
Lorenzo captured her lips again in a heated kiss before slowly untying the strings at the sides of her thong. He tossed it aside as well, leaving her completely bare against him.
Then he slipped his hand inside his pajama pants, freeing himself before gently gripping Chloé's hips. While kissing her, he lifted her slightly and guided her down onto him with slow tenderness. Chloé broke the kiss at once, gripping Lorenzo's shoulders tightly, her fingers digging into his skin, head thrown back, eyes shut, breath uneven.
Once she had fully taken him in, Lorenzo began moving slowly, guiding her rhythm against him, his hands firm on her hips as he helped her ride him. Chloé lifted her head and locked eyes with him, scratching lightly down his back, torn between pleasure and intensity. They stared into each other's eyes, moaning together. She watched Lorenzo's gaze darken every time he groaned, while he saw the trembling of her lips every time he moved deeper inside her.
Chloé (trembling voice)
— Aaaaaaaaa… I love you, Lorenzo… I love you so much… Aaaaaaaaa…
Lorenzo (groaning)
— You… Aaaaaaa… you drive me insane, Chloé… you make me feel things that… Aaaaaa… I've never felt before… you're under my skin… I love you like a madman… yes… like a madman… aaaaa…
He lowered his head, kissing and sucking gently at her chest while continuing his slow, passionate rhythm. Chloé trembled in his arms, scratching his skin everywhere, her body shaking with pleasure until they finally reached their release together. Exhausted, she collapsed against Lorenzo's shoulder, breathing heavily while he held her tightly against him.
Then silence returned to the living room, calm and soothing once again. Lorenzo softly stroked Chloé's back, placing gentle kisses on her shoulder, while she remained astride him, relaxed in his arms, eyes closed.
Lorenzo (whispering)
— You're mine, Chloé. You belong to me. I love you, kiddo.
Valentina's house.
Sitting on her living room couch, eyes fixed on her phone, Valentina wore tiny shorts and a corset top that barely covered her stomach. She was absorbed by her screen… until the doorbell rang.
Val (low, annoyed voice)
— Who could it be at this hour? It's already super late… Did that idiot Carlos forget his keys again or what?
She got up from the couch, tossed her phone onto it like a badly thrown frisbee, and walked toward the door. She opened it halfway and found Marco standing there, wearing a tight white t-shirt highlighting his abs and black pants that emphasized his… masculinity. In his hand was a small red bag, and on his lips was the smile of a man hopelessly in love.
Marco (smirking)
— Hey doll… are you alone or is your cousin here?
Val (smiling, eyes wide)
— Are you crazy or what? What are you doing here this late? Don't you see it's already nighttime?
Marco (pouting dramatically)
— You're not even gonna let me in? I spent… minutes… actually forever coming here to see you, and you're leaving me outside?
Val sighed, stepped aside, and opened the door wider, letting him in. He entered with a grin, and together they walked toward the couch. Marco sat down and handed the small red bag to Valentina, who looked at him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Val (curious)
— What's in there? Don't tell me it's chocolates…
Marco (playful grin)
— Take it and open it… you're gonna love it.
Val, slightly shy but intrigued, took the bag. She reached inside and pulled out… a red thong so thin it looked like fishing line. Her eyes widened and the bag dropped onto the floor like an empty shell.
Marco (mischievous smile)
— Do you like it? Want to try it on?
Val (blushing, offended)
— You came all the way here just to bring me this? Have you completely lost your mind? What do you expect me to do with it? Use it as decoration?
Marco (seductive)
— Wear it, obviously… it's a beautiful thong and—
Val (interrupting him, cheeks burning)
— And nothing. I don't want it.
She threw the thong back at him like a competition frisbee and crossed her arms, cheeks flushed, looking offended in the cutest way possible.
Marco (amused smirk)
— Stop acting like that… I just wanted to make you happy.
Val (pouting, irresistibly charming)
— Well… I don't want gifts like that.
Marco stood up, approached her, slipped his hand around her waist, and pulled her against his chest.
Marco (soft, seductive voice)
— Then what kind of gift do you want?
Val smiled mischievously, wrapping her arms around his neck, her gaze both soft and provocative.
Val (softly, teasing)
— Instead of giving me vulgar gifts… make sure I discover every inch of your body first.
Marco (smirking, amused)
— I see… honestly, that's not a bad idea.
Without another word, Marco lifted Valentina bridal style. She wrapped her arms around his neck with a smile while he tilted his head and captured her lips in a burning kiss. They kissed passionately while climbing the stairs, heading straight toward… Valentina's bedroom.
To be continued…