Valentina.
“You’re welcome.”
The low hum of the jet’s engines sent a vibration through my body as I sat rigidly by the window, my hands gripping the armrests so tightly that my knuckles turned white.
The air inside the cabin felt thick and heavy, pressing down on me like an invisible weight. Across from me, Isabella lounged with the casualngrace of someone who had never faced a true consequence in her life, her lips curved in a faint self-satisfied smile.
“Matteo belongs to me. He always has. He always will.” Isabella’s words continued to echo in my mind.
Why had she said that?
Reed stood by the cabin door, his sharp eyes scanning the tarmac below through the narrow window. Marco was nowhere to be seen, presumably still barking orders at the pilot and anyone else close to ensure they dealt with the mechanical issue fast.
I should have felt relief.
In a matter of hours at most, I would be away from this chaos, this nightmare of a life my mom had willingly dragged me into. But that unease still coiled in my stomach like a serpent.
Aside from the mechanical issues and Isabella’s words, something was seriously wrong.
Somewhere.
And then I saw them.
A convoy of sleek black SUVs emerged from the shadows of the private airport, their headlights piercing through the gloom. My breath hitched as the vehicles came to a halt near the plane, and the doors swung open in unison. Men in tailored black suits stepped out, their movements precise and coordinated, like soldiers.
Had Luca found us at last? Was he taking us back to…
My eyes found the figure at the centre whom I recognized instantly, though I had only met him twice before.
Pedro Nevarro.
Matteo’s father was the one who found us.
“Shit,” Reed muttered under his breath, his hand instinctively moving to the gun holstered beneath his jacket. He turned to me, his face grim. “Stay here.”
Before I could respond, the cabin door swung open, and Marco stormed in, his face pale but determined. “We’ve got a problem.”
“No kidding,” I snapped, gesturing toward the window. “What the hell is he doing here?”
Marco didn’t answer, his jaw clenched as he exchanged a look with Reed. Without another word, he exited the cabin, Reed following closely behind. My heart pounded as I watched them descend the stairs to meet Pedro and his entourage on the tarmac.
Isabella leaned forward, her smirk widening. “Looks like Daddy’s here to clean up Matteo’s mess. Isn’t that sweet?”
I ignored her, my gaze fixed on the scene unfolding outside.
If she was going to continue down this insufferable part, then she should stay away from me.
Pedro stood tall and imposing, his silver hair gleaming under the harsh lights of the tarmac. He radiated authority, his presence commanding attention even among the armed men surrounding him.
This was the second time I was seeing him out of a wheelchair.
Marco and Reed approached him cautiously, their postures tense. Though I couldn’t hear their conversation, the sharp gestures and narrowed eyes made it clear this was no friendly reunion.
Moments later, Pedro began to ascend the stairs, his movements deliberate and unhurried. My pulse quickened with each step he took, dread pooling in my stomach. When he finally stepped into the cabin, the tension became suffocating.
“Valentina,” Pedro said smoothly, his voice as polished as his appearance. His green eyes like his devil of a son scanned the cabin, lingering on me with a mix of curiosity and disdain. “It’s been a while.”
I rose to my feet, my body trembling despite my attempt to appear calm. “What are you doing here?”
Pedro’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Imagine my surprise when my son called and said he would end his horrible charade of keeping you as a wife and letting me choose a new fiancee for him. I allowed myself turn a blind eye when he got a new private jet… but when I heard of the flight today, I just had to see for myself.”
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “Your son wants to kill me.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Pedro said, taking a step closer. “Matteo has a habit of making impulsive decisions. Decisions that reflect poorly on our family. And you, my dear, are one of them.”
Anger flared in my chest, momentarily overpowering my fear. “I didn’t ask for any of this, sir. Matteo and my mother dragged me into his world, not the other way around.”
Pedro chuckled, a low, mocking sound. “Perhaps. But that doesn’t change the fact that you don’t belong here. You’re a distraction, Valentina. A liability. And liabilities must be dealt with.”
Behind me, Isabella snorted. “Eliminating my sister won’t solve your problems.”
Pedro’s eyes shifted to her, softening slightly. “Isabella Russo. Star of the Russo family. You should have been the one standing by Matteo’s side, not running away. You disappointed me.”
Isabella’s smirk faltered, her confidence wavering under Pedro’s scrutinizing gaze. “I had my reasons.”
“I’m sure you did,” Pedro said, his tone cutting. “But now is your chance to make things right. Come back, Isabella. Return to Matteo and fulfil the role you were meant to play.”
My heart sank as his words sank in. “What are you saying?”
Pedro turned back to me, his expression hardening. “You don’t belong here, Valentina. This game you’re playing-it’s over. Leave. And don’t come back.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out. My mind raced, grappling with the weight of his words and the implications of his presence.
“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” Pedro continued. “You’ve done enough damage.”
But I didn’t do anything.
My eyes shifted to Isabella, who looked almost… sad. It was replaced with a smirk soon after. “And what about her?” I demanded. “She’s the one who got herself married to another man. She’s the one who left Matteo to clean up her mess.”
Pedro’s expression darkened. “I made the deal with your father to get Isabella Russo. Her place is with us. Unlike you, she always had value.”
The words cut deeper than I expected, leaving me stunned and reeling. Before I could respond, Isabella rose to her feet, smoothing down her dress with an air of finality. “Fine. I’ll come back. But only because I’m tired of watching this train wreck.”
“No!” The word burst from my lips before I could stop it. I turned to Pedro, desperation lacing my voice. “You can’t do this. Matteo…”
“Matteo will thank me,” Pedro interrupted coldly. “You’ve been a distraction long enough.”
Tears burned in my eyes as the weight of his words settled over me. I was being cast aside, discarded like I meant nothing. And maybe, to them, I didn’t.
Reed reentered the cabin, his expression conflicted as he glanced between me and Pedro. “The plane’s ready,” he said quietly. “But only for one passenger.”
Pedro’s gaze bore into mine, unyielding and final. “Go, Valentina. Leave this world behind before it destroys you.”
For a moment, I considered fighting, refusing to leave without answers. Without Matteo. But the look in Pedro’s eyes told me it would be futile.
This was his world, his rules. And I was nothing more than an intruder.
With a trembling breath, I nodded. “Fine. I’ll go.”
Pedro stepped aside, allowing Reed to escort me toward the exit. As I descended the stairs, the cold night air hit me like a slap, and I realized this was it.
This was goodbye.
I glanced back at the plane, my heart aching with the weight of everything I was leaving behind. Isabella stood at the top of the stairs, her expression unreadable.
She had won.
And I had lost.
As I climbed into the waiting car, Reed slid in beside me, his presence a silent comfort. The vehicle pulled away from the tarmac, the plane and its occupants fading into the distance.
I stared out the window, tears streaming down my face as the reality of my situation sank in. I was alone, truly abandoned in a world I didn’t understand, with no idea what lay ahead.
But one thing was certain. I would never forget this night. And I would never forgive the man who had brought me to this point.
Matteo Navarro.