Page 167 of Flawed

He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear, stating, "You're the only woman I've ever wanted. You even gave me a daughter—"

"That I kept from you!"

"For legitimate reasons."

More guilt fills me. I confess, "I hurt Zara so much."

Regret washes over him. He claims, "I played my part in that lie, Chanel. You and I both know it. We're both guilty of different things, but we had our reasons. Neither of us can go back in time and change anything. So we can hold it over the other's head or move forward. And I only want to focus on the future. With Zara. With you.Together."

I take a few deep breaths to try and regain my composure.

He strokes my jaw with his thumb, vulnerably asking, "Is that what you want? Do you want me?"

My heart expands so big, I think it might burst from my chest. I blurt out, "It's all I've ever wanted to be possible."

"But...?" he pushes.

I continue, "It's hard to believe we can finally be together. I'm still wrapping my head around the fact I don't have to hide Zara from you."

Understanding fills his expression. He nods, confessing, "I am, too. But this is real, stellina. You and I have always been real. Nothing is stopping our happiness anymore. So I plan on embracing it."

I take in his words.

The server interrupts us. He sets down a plate of caviar, blinis, and crackers, inquiring, "Can I get you anything else right now?"

Luca arches his eyebrows at me.

I shake my head.

He waves the server away, and once we're alone, he puts his hand on my thigh. Tingles race to my core. He demands, "Promise me you'll focus on the future, not the past."

My butterflies wake up again.

Can it really be this easy?

"Stellina, promise me. We've wasted enough time. And nothing good will come from holding on to our mistakes. It'll only hurt Zara," he adds.

I can't argue with him. He's right. So I agree. "Okay. I promise."

Satisfaction erupts over him. He smiles then picks up a blini and adds caviar to it. He holds it to my mouth. "Good. Let's eat."

I open my mouth, and the caviar melts in it. We spend the next few hours eating several courses of both French and Italian cuisine. We discuss things we kept to ourselves over the years. I admit how I almost told him about Zara when I was pregnant. He confesses how he contemplated blowing his cover multiple times. And he informs me that he never stopped looking for Pina, and as soon as he discovered her location, he helped rescue her.

It's an emotional conversation, but we're both happy we could finally discuss it. The server removes our plates, refills the wineglasses, and disappears.

Luca rises and holds his hand out.

I take it, and he helps me on my toes. Something crosses his expression. I'm unsure what it means, but he leads me to the glass and spins me into it. He asks, "Are you ready to see what I made for you?"

I glance at him in surprise. "For me?"

His eyes turn to fire, burning hot and singeing every nerve in my body. He answers, "Only for you, stellina." He gives me a chaste kiss and steps behind me, circling his arm around my waist. He taps the glass.

A soft glow emerges behind the window. Only two things are inside the room—a large bed and a couple. They're already all over each other, and the man is unzipping the woman's dress.

I inhale sharply, placing my hand on top of Luca's. I've often wondered why I couldn't stop watching others. It was to see Luca, but I loved every minute of watching the couples who had real connections.

He murmurs in my ear, "We're never returning to the club, stellina. From now on, you'll watch it here. But I guarantee you, never again will you ever feel like you can't have more than anyone behind that glass has."

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