Mistakenly Yours: Contract Marriage With The Billionaire-Chapter 87: Say the truth

Chapter 87: Say the truth
"They did abandon me," Luca stated, the words carrying the distant ache of a childhood wound. "They neglected me. I was raised by my grandfather. Both my parents were ambitious. Though I technically have parents, they never truly existed in those years."
A sad, nostalgic look crossed his face. "I used to stick to the gate of the house, hoping to catch a glimpse of my mother’s car as she left for the office. But there were times she would not return for days and plan her business trips within the office. Dad was always away on business trips. I waited for them for years, but they simply didn’t have time for me. So, yeah, having parents doesn’t mean I had a fortunate life. It’s like they were never really there for me."
His voice softened, laced with old regret. "And I constantly missed the fact that other kids got to spend days with their parents, celebrate their birthdays with them, or go on those family vacations."
As Luca opened up about this large, painful part of his childhood, Sara realized her own life, despite different circumstances, had been tragically similar to his in that fundamental feeling of being unseen and neglected.
"Did you study hard too, just to get their attention?" Sara mused, connecting his ambition to his neglect.
"No. I never actually studied," Luca countered, leaning back with a familiar flash of arrogance. "You can say I was a born genius."
Sara narrowed her eyes. "Liar. You studied hard, I know you did. When we had the entrance exam to get into the business school, you weren’t seen anywhere for one whole month. And then, the result came out and you topped it. Even in the university, everyone praised you for your grades."
Luca’s smirk faltered slightly. "My grandfather had fallen sick, so it was impossible for me to attend school," he revealed.
Sara stopped blinking for a moment. The truth hit her with an uncomfortable clarity: she had completely misjudged Luca in so many aspects of his life.
A moment of genuine silence passed before Luca recovered his playful facade. A smirk tugged across his lips as he looked at her intently.
"Were you always looking out for me, Sara?" Luca asked. He grabbed the stem of his wine glass, swirled its dark contents thoughtfully, and took a slow sip. "You were my stalker, aren’t you? And now, you only run away from me. How did you change so much?"
"I never stalked you," Sara muttered, feeling heat rise in her cheeks. She quickly focused her attention back on her nearly empty plate, trying to ignore the intensity of his gaze. "You’re using the wrong words against me."
Luca simply offered a soft, knowing smile and continued watching her eat.
Once they finished the meal, Luca wouldn’t allow her to clear the table or wash up.
"I’ve kept the maids in the house for a reason," Luca said, his tone gently teasing, as he physically guided her away from the kitchen sink. "Go. I need to bring up the water," he added, clearly dismissing her from the chore.
Sara turned around reluctantly and walked upstairs toward their bedroom.
Luca wasted no time. He moved swiftly to the hidden cabinet and pulled out the small, carefully concealed gift bag. Walking quietly up the stairs, he entered the bedroom.
Sara was standing in front of the dressing table, concentrating on removing her earrings. Luca was quick to shut the door quietly behind him, sealing them alone in the room.
Luca stood silently behind her. Sara looked up, catching his reflection in the dressing table mirror.
"Do you have to say something to me?" Sara arching her brow, her voice soft.
"Well, I bought something for you," Luca replied, and he held out the small gift bag he’d retrieved.
She turned around, curiosity lighting her eyes, and took the bag from him. "What’s this?"
"Check it yourself," Luca simply replied, watching her reaction intently.
Sara slid her hand into the bag and pulled out a small, elegantly wrapped box. She felt its weight in her palm. "Why did you buy such an expensive gift?" she murmured, already guessing the contents based on the packaging, before lifting the lid.
Inside, resting against a plush velvet cushion, was a beautiful, delicate chain with a sparkling butterfly pendant attached to it. A genuinely surprised smile blossomed across her face as she lifted the gold chain out between her fingers, admiring the craftsmanship. "It’s beautiful," she whispered, looking at him.
"Let me put it on your neck," Luca opined softly, his hand reaching out to gently take the heavy gold chain from her fingers.
Sara turned her back to him. Luca leaned down, his presence warm and close, his fingers briefly brushing the sensitive skin of her nape as he carefully hooked the clasp behind her neck. The cool metal of the butterfly pendant settled against her collarbone.
He then slowly brought his hand around to the front, his fingertips resting lightly on the shimmering pendant. His voice was low and serious when he spoke next. "I hope we will become a great couple soon, and you’ll love me the same way as you once did."
Sara lowered her eyes, keeping her silence.
Luca didn’t press. Instead, he gently turned her toward the dressing table mirror. His chin rested lightly on her shoulder as he joined her reflection. "Look at your neckline."
She gazed at the reflection. The gold chain lay perfectly against her skin.
"Hmm. It looks good," Sara whispered, "thank you," recognising the genuine appreciation for the gift.
"Well, you could have said it with a kiss," Luca pronounced, his eyes warm with expectation as he looked at her reflection.
Sara tilted her head, planting a quick, soft kiss on his cheek. She then immediately withdrew, putting distance between them, and headed quickly for the washroom.
Luca ran his fingers over the spot where her lips had touched, a slow grin spreading across his face.
The moment of lightness shattered when his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. He pulled it out, his expression shifting back to his professional intensity.
"Yes, Eriq?" he asked.
The words Eriq uttered caused the grin on Luca’s face to vanish completely, replaced by a cold look.
"Are you sure?" Luca asked.
"Yes, Boss," Eriq answered.
Luca hung up the call. He walked to the nightstand, placed the phone down, and began peeling off his layers. The blazer came off first, followed by the tie. As he reached for his shirt buttons, Sara emerged from the washroom, her hair neatly secured in a bun, looking fresh and composed.
"Who did you meet after leaving your father’s house?" Luca questioned. He opened the top three buttons of his shirt.
"Why do you ask?" Sara replied, completely unaware that her husband already knew she had met her mother. She carefully avoided giving him the direct answer he sought.
"Say the truth," Luca demanded, his eyes burning into hers. He moved toward her, his presence suddenly intimidating. "What did my mother say to you? Is that why you asked me why I don’t consider shifting to their house?"
"Yes, I met your mother," Sara confirmed, holding his intense gaze, though she felt a tremor of fear. "But why are you getting so angry about this? I was merely curious when I asked you that question earlier." She threw her hands up in exasperation. "And if I had truly wanted to ask you about it directly, I would have done so when you first returned home!"
Sara’s confusion was genuine. "Why are you all charged up and suddenly lashing out at me?" she demanded. Only moments ago, he had been acting so romantic and loving, putting the necklace around her neck. Now, he had completely changed into a different man, fueled by anger.
"I’m not lashing out," Luca said, his voice dropping slightly, though the tension still hummed around him. He ran a hand through his hair, attempting to regain control.
"I merely am upset that you didn’t tell me you met my mother. It feels like you almost betrayed me." He paused. "I’m sorry if I overreacted."
"It’s fine," Sara said, watching him carefully. She decided to be direct. "Your mother wants me to truly be the daughter-in-law of your family. Since we got married, they want us to stand up to that commitment."
But how did he find out? The question burned in her mind. She had promised Vinni she wouldn’t tell Luca about their meeting, yet he somehow knew.
"How did you find out that I met your mother?" asked Sara.
"I’ve resources," Luca replied.
"You sent your man behind me, didn’t you? You don’t trust me either," she snapped.
"That’s not true. I was worried for you," Luca replied. "Don’t pay heed to whatever my mother said to you. We will build a happy home here in this house. I-I don’t want to return to that house," he stated with a frown.
Sara hummed in understanding. "If you don’t, then I will not push you for it."