Page 154 of Flawed

I glance up, fighting the jealousy rearing its ugly head. "Oh. Okay. What are you two going to be doing?"

He locks eyes with me. "We're going to pick out her bedroom furniture."

A cold chill runs down my spine. I freeze, gaping at him.

He gives me a challenging stare.

I accuse, "You're going to try and get custody of her?"

He shakes his head. "No. We'll share it."

I blink hard, shaking my head. "No."

"Stellina—"

"Do not try to take my daughter from me, Luca. I'm warning you."

"I would never—"

"Then what—"

"I want both of you to live with me," he claims.

More shock fills me. "Wh-what are you talking about?"

His eyes drill into mine with a determination that scares me. He asserts, "We were meant to be together, stellina. I've always wanted you. And you've wanted me. Nothing has changed in that regard."

"But everything else has changed," I blurt out.

He slides his hand on my cheek. "Yes. And now we can all be together."

The DJ announces it's time for the bouquet toss. He instructs all the single ladies to get on the dance floor.

Zara comes running up, excited. "I hope I catch it!"

Luca tears his eyes off mine. He states, "You better not have any ideas in your head to get married anytime soon!"

"Duh." She giggles.

Women fill the floor. I slip through the crowd and go outside for fresh air.

I'm outside awhile before Luca calls out, "Chanel!"

I spin. "It's not that easy, Luca."

"Why not?" he questions.

I turn away from him, muttering, "Neither of us has ever fully trusted the other."

He steps in front of me. "From now on, we will."

27

Luca

The Next Day

It didn't matterhow much I tried to convince Chanel we could finally make us work. I could see the doubt all over her face.

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