Mistakenly Yours: Contract Marriage With The Billionaire-Chapter 103: When it’s too late

Chapter 103: When it’s too late
Later in the evening, Sara and Luca arrived at his parental home. Michael immediately approached them and gently patted Sara’s head with fatherly affection. Sara was quite surprised by this soft, paternal side of Luca’s father, a contrast to the imposing figure she had imagined. Meanwhile, Vinni stood nearby, wearing a soft, welcoming smile on her lips.
"Sorry for getting a bit late. It’s already six, I guess," Sara apologized, checking her watch.
"The traffic must have been hectic on the way," Michael said, dismissing the lateness with understanding.
"Yes, it was," Sara confirmed. She then tilted her head toward Luca, who had moved to place the item she carried on the side table. "We didn’t come empty-handed. I didn’t know anything about your specific choices, so I decided to bring this fruit basket," she stated, explaining her thoughtful gift. Luca had stepped forward and put the basket down on the table.
"Your daughter-in-law is doing a lot to keep you both happy," Luca said, a taunting edge in his voice as he looked between his parents.
Vinni and Michael exchanged a knowing glance.
"Luca suggested I buy this fruit basket," Sara revealed, stepping next to him and subtly diffusing the tension. "He does care for both of you, though it’s hard for him to utter that care with words."
"Sara is right," Michael confirmed, offering a small smile. "Let’s take a seat." He gestured toward the broad sofa across from him. Luca and Sara sat together on the same sofa while Vinni and Michael sat across from them. A servant entered with a tray and poured coffee for all of them.
As Michael took a long, thoughtful sip, he addressed Sara. "Turns out your sister planned your downfall. Did you talk to your father?" he asked directly. "I have been following the news closely for these past few days. The media speculate your relationship with your family is not good anymore."
"Dad, let’s drop this topic," Luca suggested immediately, gripping his coffee cup firmly, a clear sign of his discomfort.
"Your father merely wants to state that the gossip about Sara can bring a negative image to her role," Vinni opined, taking a graceful sip of her own coffee. "She’s not an ordinary citizen; everything affects the family’s image."
"I am sorry for bringing trouble," Sara stated simply, choosing not to address the touchy subject of her relationship with her family directly.
"Sara, you’ve not brought any trouble to us," Michael gently countered, "but perhaps to yourself. I truly hope things go well between you and your family."
Sara didn’t say anything more and quietly focused on finishing her coffee.
After they all finished their drinks, Vinni rose to her feet. "Sara, come with me. I’ll tour you around the estate if you’re not too tired."
"No, I’m not tired at all," Sara replied, rising as well. She tilted her head to look at Luca, who gave a slight, affirming gesture that she should go. Once his mother and wife were out of view, Luca focused his full attention on his father.
"You can’t make Sara upset by bringing up her family business," Luca complained, his voice low with irritation.
"Well, I do care for her public image," Michael stated calmly. "A very negative narrative is being circulated regarding her in the media. I know you actively work to remove such malicious comments against her, but you can’t succeed all the time." Michael sighed and changed the subject. "Leave it. I’m glad that you finally showed yourself here. You must be informed that we want you and Sara to live with us. This house is your heritage, son."
"Dad, I don’t want to live under the same roof as you and Mom," Luca muttered, leaning back against the couch, instantly refusing the offer. "Besides, Sara and I are newlyweds."
"Fine." Michael gave up on immediately convincing his son and glanced briefly at the butler. The butler bowed and exited the room. After a moment, he returned with a black file in his hand. Handing it reverently to his master, the butler quietly left again.
"This is something I prepared for Sara," Michael said, placing the file on the coffee table. "I tried giving this to her, but she refused to accept it. I want you to give it to her. This is something she should have." He explained that the file carried documents of assets and properties that Sara would have under her own name.
"Sara is different than other women," Luca stated, looking at the file but making no move to take it. "I doubt she will accept it."
"Another reason," Michael clarified, leaning forward slightly, "is that she doesn’t want to stay with you after one year. You bound her with a contract marriage, and because of that, she is reluctant to accept any of this."
Luca frowned, the confirmation of Sara’s feelings stinging him. "I will not let it happen," he whispered, his jaw tightening, referring to the one-year contract limit.
"You’ve always done things perfectly," Michael observed. "Even if I never liked your methods, you were always meticulous. Why, in the matter of love, did you act like this? You didn’t plan anything grand for Sara."
Michael leaned forward, softening his tone. "That’s why I have decided to throw an intimate ceremony for both of you. I know things happened quite quickly between you two, and I want Sara to get included in the people of our kind."
"You mean you want to introduce her to my so-called aunts and uncles, not to mention the cousins too," Luca stated, an arched brow indicating his sarcasm and dislike for the extended family circle.
"Not only them, but others too," Michael insisted, attempting to appeal to reason. "I know you don’t like your aunts or their families, but it’s been years since your grandfather passed away. He wouldn’t want you to act like this, either."
"Dad, did you forget what happened here in this estate?" Luca countered, his voice suddenly sharp, a flicker of genuine pain burning in his eyes. "Seven years ago, my aunts’ husbands were ready to shoot you. They killed some of my grandfather’s most trustworthy men."
"It wasn’t definitively proven that they triggered it," Michael argued, leaning into a long-held denial. "What if someone unseen was behind all that?"
Luca chuckled wryly and shook his head in disbelief at his father’s refusal to see the truth. "You never liked the world my grandpa was into. But I always liked it. And I know for a fact it was my uncles who also wanted to kill me."
"Look, Luca. I want our family to get stronger," Michael insisted, his voice heavy with concern. "Your grandfather made so many enemies while staying in that mafia business. So, everyone related to this family shall stay together. You won’t argue with me on this."
He made his motivation clear. "I am worried for you, and of course, Sara. You aren’t ready to step out of this world, so I must ensure you both stay safe." Michael’s voice dropped, tinged with deep regret. "I always hated that I never gave you my attention. Had I done so, you would not be on this path today."
"Fine, do what you want," Luca conceded, immediately rising to his feet, unable to tolerate the conversation any longer. "I hate it whenever you bring up the past. You regret not giving me your time when it’s too late."
With that, he left for his room, leaving Michael behind.
~~~~~.
"The estate is turned out to be even bigger than I thought, Mother," Sara observed, as they both paused in the middle of the vast, manicured garden space.
"Indeed," Vinni replied, gesturing around the expansive grounds. "This is the place where many generations of De Augustino have lived. If his grandfather were alive, Luca would have never left this place. I know as a mother I shouldn’t enforce him to do things he doesn’t like. I just hope he eventually returns here, since he spent most of his childhood within these walls," she added with a long sigh.
"Maybe Luca’s wounds, the ones left after losing his grandfather, never truly healed," Sara opined in a gentle, understanding tone. "That’s why he chose to stay out of this place. You should give your son time, Mother."
Vinni nodded her head slowly, acknowledging Sara’s insight. "You’re right. I guess, I have to stay patient," she asserted. "You should go find your room now. Luca must be waiting for you."
"Hmm. Should I help in preparing dinner?" Sara asked, offering to be useful.
"No, darling. We have professional cooks here," Vinni suggested gently, caressing her arm. "Just rest for some time." Dropping her hand to her side, she asked to follow her inside before going her way while Sara went upstairs.
She pushed the door open and saw Luca on the recliner with his eyes closed.
"What did my mother say?" Luca asked as he saw Sara shutting the door.
"Nothing much," Sara replied, finally turning to him. He was now in a sitting position on the recliner before standing up.
"They want us to live here," he muttered.