Page 87 of His Son's Ex

I hesitate, torn between ignoring her and sneaking out. But she looks so broken. With a resigned sigh, I adjust my bag and step around the corner.

“Sarah?” I whisper. “Are you okay?”

She jumps, nearly tumbling off the step, eyes wide and puffy. “Eva?” She sniffles, quickly wiping her face with the back of her hand. “What the hell are you doing sneaking around this late?”

I shift uncomfortably. “I could ask you the same.” I glance at her tear-streaked cheeks, guilt warring with urgency. “You’ve been crying.”

She laughs humorlessly. “Brilliant observation. Next you’ll ask if I’m upset.” Her voice is shaky, undercutting the sarcasm. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect anyone to see me like this.”

I bite my lip, torn between wanting to flee and wanting to help. “What’s going on?”

Sarah looks away, fiddling with the belt of her silky robe. “It’s stupid,” she mumbles. “This marriage… it’s not what I signed up for.”

I blink, recalling how she clings to Luca like a prized possession. “What changed?”

She lets out a hollow laugh. “What didn’t change? The second the ring was on my finger, Linda swooped in, determined to keep Luca under her control. I’m basically living with my mother-in-law, who treats me like an accessory, and a husband who doesn’t even—” Her voice cracks. “He barely looks at me unless he’s showing me off to some friend of the family or business associate.”

A pang of sympathy hits me. I know Sarah’s been catty, but it’s not hard to see how Linda dominates everything in her life.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly. “That must be difficult to deal with.”

Sarah sniffles, brushing her hair from her face. “I feel like a third wheel—to his mother. She’s forcing being a ‘Bellacino heir’ down his throat and it’s consuming him. So much so that he and his mom are practically one unit. I feel like nothing more than the pretty blonde on the side.” She meets my gaze, her voice trembling. “I was such a fool.”

I shift my weight, the bag digging into my shoulder. “Look, Sarah, that sucks. I won’t lie. Luca and Linda’s relationship has always been intense.”Understatement of the century.“But you’re not a fool for wanting to be a part of the family. People do crazy things when they’re in love.”

Her eyes glisten. “Luca’s a glorified momma’s boy. I guess I thought being married and becoming his wife would elevate me somehow, make me his number one. But Linda’s overshadowingme at every turn.” She crosses her arms defensively. “Why am I even telling you this?”

I offer a wry smile. “Because I happen to be sneaking out at the same time you’re having a meltdown, I guess.” My heart clenches. “Anyway, you’re not worthless, Sarah. Linda’s just… Linda. She overshadowed me too, tried to at least. You can’t let her.”

Sarah gives a shaky nod, then looks at my duffel, realization dawning in her eyes. “Wait, you’re leaving?” She says it as if she just realized what I meant by “sneaking out.”

I tense, searching her face. “Yeah. I’ve got some stuff to handle elsewhere. It’s complicated.” I don’t elaborate any further.

“Does Dante know? Where are you going?” She stands and hugs herself, wrapping the robe tight around her.

I blow out a breath. “It’s better if no one knows. Honestly, I just need some space to figure things out. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone. Especially Luca or Linda. They’d blow it out of proportion.” My tone is sharper than I intend but my nerves are shot.

Sarah’s lips twist, bitterness creeping back in. “Don’t worry, I’m not Linda’s messenger. Besides, she’s too busy controlling Luca to care what I do or say. He’s more interested in you than me—he’s made that painfully obvious. Why would I help them now?”

Another pang of guilt tugs at me. “I’m sorry about that. I never meant?—”

She cuts me off with a dismissive wave. “Save it. You can’t control who Luca fixates on. Apparently, he’s intrigued by yousimply because his father has you.” She gives a short, humorless laugh. “Men. They’re all idiots.”

I can’t argue with that. “So you won’t say anything?”

She shakes her head, eyes shadowed with her own sorrow. “No. Not to them, anyway. I’m not that vindictive.”

Relief floods through me. “Thank you,” I whisper, pressing a hand to my chest. “I appreciate it.”

Sarah gives a weak smile before turning away. “Good luck with… whatever. Believe it or not, I don’t hate you. I just hate my life right now.”

I bite my lip then gently squeeze her arm. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

She nods, lips pursed as she puts on a brave face. “I’ll be fine.” She looks to my belly, a flicker of something—envy, sadness, regret—crossing her features. She heads up the stairs, disappearing down the corridor without saying another word.

Quietly, I continue downward, my footsteps feather-light. The mansion is eerily silent at this hour. I can’t help imagining Linda or Luca jumping out from a hidden doorway, demanding to know what I’m up to, but no one appears.

At the side entrance, I pause, listening for any sign of movement. Nothing. Just the hushed night air and my own hammering pulse. With a final breath, I push open the door and slip outside.

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