Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN WHO TRIED TO DESTROY OUR MARRIAGE
The first rumor appeared three days later.
An anonymous message circulated among Varenna associates.
It claimed I was pregnant by another man.
Then came a photograph.
A picture of me leaving a café with an old friend from college.
The photograph was innocent.
The caption wasn't.
By evening, the rumor had reached every corner of the organization.
I found Luca standing in his study, staring at his phone.
My stomach dropped.
“Luca.”
He looked up.
I couldn't read his expression.
“Do you believe it?”
He set the phone down.
“No.”
Tears filled my eyes.
He approached me.
“Evelyn, look at me.”
I did.
“I know what kind of man my father is.”
He gently took my hands.
“And I know what kind of woman you are.”
I began crying.
Luca pulled me into his arms.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then he whispered:
“I should have protected you from this.”
I shook my head.
“You can't protect me from every lie.”
He looked down.
“Then what can I do?”
I touched his cheek.
“Stand beside me when people tell them.”
May you like
Luca nodded.
“Always.”
