HER POV

I lay on the large bed, exhausted. I tried to run every single way to break the news to Brian. However, my inner demon would always tell me that he would leave me if I told him the truth.

"Who'd wanna carry with my baggage?" I ask myself as I rub my temples.

I hear the jiggling of keys against the main door and the nerves inside me quicken. I don't know how my body will react to seeing Brian, especially after Caterina's little visit.

       "Sam! Samantha! Are you here?"

       I hear his footsteps rushing through the halls trying to find me. The panic in his voice causes my heart to break.

       I try to get out of bed and rush toward him, but I can't. My body is frozen. Glued to the sheets or as if something was weighing me down.

       It isn't until Brian barges through the door that I can finally move. However, the guilt still weighs heavy on my heart. A cold feeling mixed in with an immense pressure consumes my chest.

       "Oh, thank God you're okay," Brian engulfs me into a hug. I muster all my strength to hug him back. He pulls away and stares at me in the eye with a serious expression. "Why didn't you tell me?"

       Shock consumes me, like a bucket of ice cold water has been dunked on me.

       Had Derek told him everything? Did he finally know about my past? Did he think of me as—

       "You should've told me you weren't feeling well," Brian's concerned eyes look down at me.

       Oh, that's what he meant.

       "I-I'm sorry," I croak.

       It is a double-side apology. I was sorry for leaving him at the event, but also for lying to him all this time.

       Brian scoots next to me on the bed as he takes me into his right side. Caressing my shoulder tenderly.

       "You don't need to apologize," he assures with a small kiss on the top of my head. "I am just glad you are okay."

       The knot inside my throat grows at his sweet words. It takes all I have to hold the tears.

        "I have something to tell you-"

        "I actually have some exciting news," Brian beams at the same time.

       I note the excitement in his voice and hold back the rest if my sentence.

       "You go first," I offer, not wanting to bear my bad news.

        I turn to him and he is wearing a bright, wide smile that melts my heart. His eyes shimmer with childlike excitement.

       "I got a deal with this super important agency that collaborates with the world's most important designers!" He exclaims. "They've offered me a position as assistant of the head of commercial photography. The pay is beyond what I earn now and they've given me an incentive of twenty-two thousand for signing with them."

       "That's amazing," I say with proud smile. "We need to celebrate this."

       "I know one way we can," he says with a naughty look in his eyes which causes me to chuckle.

       "Oh really?" I raise an amused eyebrow. "And what will that be?"

       "This," Brian whispers before leaning down to place his lips on the crook of my neck.

A small moan escapes my lips as he leaves a mark on my pale skin. His lips and tongue trail up to my lips, claiming them softly.

       The kisses grow more and more hungrier. I can feel his erection pressing against my thigh and it just fuels my lust.

       "What did... you want to tell me?" Brian asks through our kisses.

       I look up at him and his brown eyes are already staring down at me expectingly. I swallow the lump in my throat and force a smile.

       "It was nothing important," I lie. He seems hesitant to believe me and so, I lean up and give him a kiss of reassurance.

       This seems to ease his doubts as he goes down and kisses my neck. His touch silences the voice in my head urging to tell him everything.

       I am going to tell him, but right now is not the ideal moment. I did not want to ruin his happiness. He put a lot of effort into getting this deal and I was going to help him celebrate it.

I push him onto the bed and prop myself on top of him. He claims my lips and in a swift move pushes my blazer off before pulling down the straps of my shirt. I grip lightly onto his brown locks as he devours every inch of my upper body.

It is just me and him in this moment. That is all that matters. His love and mine, clashing together in a fiery passion.

MYSTERY POV

I set down the clear glass filled with a honey brown liquor. The clinking of the ice fills the room. My gaze does not divert from the business card in my hand.

"You got what you wanted," I turn to look at the man in front of me. His brown eyes are cold as they look at me. "Now, give me my daughter back."

I run my finger over the image of my beloved bride. She is still as beautiful as ever.

I give one of my loyal guards an approving nod and they open the door. One of the maids walks in with the young girl, the spitting image of her father.

"Papà!" She exclaims as she rushes to her father.

"It's always a pleasure doing business with you Luca," I smirk as I look up to meet the furious gaze of my former employee.

He clutches his daughter close to him, but his spiteful expression remains.

"You are a monster," Luca mutters.

"I get that a lot," I shrug nonchalantly. I turn my attention to the picture of my beloved and smile.

       She is finally going to come home where she belongs. Right by my side.

"She doesn't love you anymore," Luca says. "For your sake and hers, let her be happy."

My jaw clenches tightly as I turn my cold blue eyes to face him. He cowards away at my menacing gaze and holds onto his daughter tighter. I smile satisfied by his fear.

"Samantha Moretti is mine," I growl as I get up towering over Luca. "Mine, you hear me! Mine!"

Author's Note
It took me so long to write this chapter and I must say I am happy with the final outcome. I know it is maddening that Samantha keeps evading telling the truth to Brian, but hey, the truth always comes out one way or another. As for the the Mystery POV, I think we all know who it is, but I just decided to title it that way. And poor Luca, he had to betray his friend. Next chapter will be posted tomorrow and the final chapter of this book will be posted on Friday. Stay tune for the final drama. I'll see you tomorrow my lovelies.
Xoxo, Liz 💋💋💋

Song(s): I Don't Need Your Name - Rosenfield