Chapter 103
Chapter 103
Sutton looked up when Nicole said his name. Praying that God wouldn’t do this to him. The universe really couldn’t be that heartless. Her Luca wasn’t the only Luca in the world, surely. But she soon found out someone had it in for her out there.
Tall. Dark. There he stood, towering over Nicole. Oh, shit… Last night was Blair and Roman’s engagement party… And he–Luca had been there.
Sutton closed her eyes as she remembered seeing him again after months…
Flashback to last night:
She was really happy for her sister and Roman–to find happiness after everything. Blair had only days ago faked her death to catch their uncle out for murdering their parents for greed. But at least now Blair was safe and no more hit–men would be sent after her.
Sutton looked around the room at Roman’s family and friends. Blair would be happy with his family, and Sutton could see they loved her. Her eyes landed on a man by the bar as a strange pressure settled in her chest. He was in profile, but there was no mistaking who he was… Luca.
It was.
Luca.
Oh, my God. He must know Roman in some way. How many times was it said the world was a small place?
Here stood the proof of the statement.
Sutton felt her throat tighten as she tried… to what? Scream?
No, that wasn’t good. It would bring his attention, and it was the last thing she needed.
She just needed to get out of here before he saw her.
The last thing she wanted was to wreck this party for Blair.
She tried to move away, get some distance, but found her legs had turned to lead.
The world muted.
No. No. Not here. Not now.
She could be seen.
Then Blair was at her side.
Blair’s voice barely reached her. Sutton didn’t even hear what she was saying.
Everything inside her turned to static.
She grabbed Blair’s arm. “I need to leave. Now.”
“What? Why? Is something wrong with the baby?“,
But even as Blair asked, her sister was looking between her and the person she was staring at… the pieces clicking into place.
Sutton didn’t answer. She couldn’t.
Her mouth was dry. Her hands were trembling.
Her legs moved anyway, dragging Blair with her across the room toward Keira and Rose.
“No, nothing is wrong with the baby, but I need to get out of here,” Sutton said through gritted teeth.
Keira frowned, looking down at her food like she’d just been told Christmas was cancelled.
“But we just got here. And the food is amazing. Have you tried these little quiche things? Rose says the chef made them specially.”
“Now, Keira.”
Sutton didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t need to.
Something in her tone cut straight through the noise.
Keira and Rose both looked up.
“What’s wrong?” Keira asked, setting her plate down.
Rose blinked. “Everything okay?”
Sutton glanced back at Luca, who hadn’t seen them.
“That man by the bar. The tall one with dark hair.”
Blair, Keira, and Rose all looked.
“Oh, he’s gorgeous,” Keira said.
“That’s Luca,” Rose added. “Roman’s friend from university. He’s really nice.”
Blair had already put it together. Rose saying his name made it real.
Luca. The father of her baby.
Keira’s face changed in an instant.
Confusion morphed into pure, simmering rage.
Her fists clenched. She took one step toward him.
“That bastard,” Keira hissed. “I’m going to…”
“No!” Blair yanked Keira’s arm. “Not here. Not now.”
“Why not?” Keira’s eyes burned.
Rose looked between them, completely lost. “Wait, what’s going on?”
Blair shook her head. “It’s… complicated. Just some history.”
Sutton was still locked in place, staring.
Breathing shallow.
Her heart beat in her throat.
“I need to leave,” she whispered, turning away from Luca.
“Of course,” Blair said. “We’re going outside for some air.”
Rose frowned. “Should I get Mum? Or Roman?”
“No,” Blair said. “Sutton’s just a little overwhelmed. The pregnancy, you know.”
Pregnancy was a good excuse. One that didn’t need questions.
“Come on,” Blair said, wrapping an arm around Sutton’s waist while pulling Keira along. “Let’s go outside.”
As they moved, Keira kept glaring back at Luca like she really wanted that flamethrower right now.
Sutton didn’t look. Couldn’t look.
Rose followed them to the terrace doors. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get someone?”
“We’re fine,” Blair said, her smile tight. “Maybe just tell Roman we stepped out if he asks.”
Rose nodded, unsure, but let them go.
The doors closed. The muffled sound of celebration stayed behind. The cool night hit Sutton’s skin, but she still felt too hot.
Only then did Blair let go of Keira’s arm.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Keira exploded. “I want to rip his-”
Sutton dropped into a chair. Head in hands. “I can’t believe this. Of all the places…”
“He’s Roman’s friend from university,” Blair said, stunned. “I met him once before, but I had no idea… You never talk about him.”
“That he was the piece of shit who abandoned our sister?” Keira snapped, already pacing. “I want to go back in there and…”
“Keira, no,” Sutton said, her voice quiet but absolute. “Please.”
“But he hurt you. He made you cry for months. He called you-”
“I know what he called me,” Sutton whispered. “But I can’t deal with this. Not here. Not tonight. This isn’t the night for my drama.”
She had finally been able to get out of there without Keira fighting Luca and him seeing her.
She hadn’t seen his little child bride, so maybe he had left her at home…
her.
Sutton came back to herself as she saw him move. Her body froze before her brain caught up.
Her stomach clenched hard… She couldn’t face him…
He still hadn’t seen her yet. He was too busy talking to Nicole, who was practically vibrating with excitement at his side. Her fake smile dialed up to
eleven.
Sutton turned slowly so her back was to him…
“Be right back,” she said quickly to Stacey, her voice too high, too clipped. “Bathroom.”
She picked up her phone.
She saw Luca moving towards the lifts, so she kept her face turned away.
“You okay?” Stacey asked, frowning.
Sutton didn’t answer. She was already walking… fast. Her heart hammering. Palms clammy. Knees too loose.
She pushed open the bathroom door, locked herself in the farthest stall, and sat down on the closed lid like the air had been ripped out of the building.
She was shaking.
Full–body, adrenaline–soaked trembling.
Her hands fumbled with her phone. It almost slipped.
She gripped it too tight.
Found Blair’s name and hit call.
“Blair,” she whispered when her sister answered. “Oh my God. I think I might actually throw up.”
She let her sister know who her new boss was.
After letting Blair know she needed to deal with it, she hung up.
She would deal with it–even if it meant leaving her job.
She would temp until the baby arrived if necessary.
Sutton hung up. She knew Blair would let Keira know.
That made Sutton let out a half–sob, half–laugh.
She wiped her face.
Took a breath.
This proved the world was indeed too bloody small.
This was like the world’s worst luck.
She couldn’t stay in here any longer, so she washed her hands. Dried them.
Straightened her blouse over her round belly. Smoothed her hair.
And walked back out into the lobby and headed to her desk.
Like the man who broke her heart wasn’t here.
She could do this even if it killed him.
No, that saying wasn’t right. But it felt good.
She walked back out into the lobby and over to her desk.
She sat down, adjusted her keyboard, and tried to focus on work, boring, brain numbing work. She had barely settled back into her chair when Stacey leaned in, whispering just loud enough to be heard.
“Hey… the new boss asked to see you. His office. Ten minutes.”
Sutton blinked at her, her stomach dropping like a stone. Holy shit.
