The car parked in front of the largest hospital in Milan.
Luciano got down from the car. He had returned to his usual self—cold, calm, and aloof.
Berry tapped Estrella gently, and she opened her eyes groggily.
"Mrs. Banks, we are here."
Estrella blinked for a moment, then finally sat up and hopped down from the car.
Luciano was waiting for her by the side. He walked up to her and held her by the waist.
Estrella looked at him in shock. "What are you doing?"
"I paid you for this," Luciano whispered in her ear.
Estrella remembered a clause from the contract:
BOTH PARTIES WILL APPEAR AS A LOVING COUPLE IN PUBLIC.
Acting it is. She is good at it.
She looked up and met his gaze. "I have a good memory."
Her words dripped with sarcasm.
"Good for you."
They began walking into the hospital.
Anyone who saw them would have mistaken them for a real couple.
They walked through the hospital's private lobby, but Luciano stopped midway.
Estrella also came to a halt.
"I have to make a call." Luciano brought out his phone. "Wait for me here."
He walked away as he lifted the phone to his ear.
Estrella watched him leave.
Then she looked around and spotted a pharmacy nearby.
She decided to get her medication once and for all.
She walked toward the pharmacy and made the purchase.
The pharmacist handed the drugs to her.
Estrella stared at the medication in her hands. It was really crazy that she now had to live on drugs.
Her eyes lowered as tears gathered in them. It was still hard for her to accept—this was a reality she was struggling to live with.
She saw Luciano and Berry approaching and quickly blinked the tears away. She wiped the tear stains with her fingers and flicked her hair back, returning to her usual self.
Luciano walked up to her and held her hand.
He immediately sensed her mood but said nothing.
"Good morning, Mrs. Banks," Berry greeted.
"Morning," Estrella replied, lifting her hand slightly.
They made their way to Chairman Banks' private hospital room.
When they got to the door, Luciano held Estrella back.
Then he lowered his face close to hers.
His gaze locked with hers.
Estrella raised a brow in confusion.
What was this strange man up to?
Even Berry, standing behind them, looked on curiously.
Then Luciano raised the corners of his lips, forming a very awkward smile.
Estrella burst into laughter, her voice echoing through the empty hall.
Berry quickly turned away, laughing silently.
Luciano frowned slightly, confused. He was only trying to tell her to smile.
He couldn't say it out loud—his grandfather was just behind the door.
Luciano brought out his phone, typed something, and showed it to her.
Smile.
Estrella's laughter subsided, and she curved her lips into a smile.
His arm tightened around her waist as he pushed the door open.
They were greeted by a scene of nurses wearing stressed expressions, while an old man sat on the bed, painting.
He wore a nonchalant look, as if the nurses' worries had nothing to do with him.
He was Chairman Banks.
When the nurses saw Luciano, they looked relieved.
The head nurse immediately reported, "Mr. Banks, Chairman Banks has refused to take his medicine."
Luciano remained calm. He was used to his grandfather's antics.
"Refusing drugs? Are you a child?"
Chairman Banks didn't even look up. He remained focused on his painting.
"The painting lacks something," Estrella said suddenly, her eyes fixed on it.
Chairman Banks paused and looked up in surprise. "You think so?"
Estrella nodded.
He had been struggling to complete the painting since yesterday. Everyone said it was beautiful—probably to flatter him.
But he knew something was missing.
Now, hearing someone confirm it, he grew interested.
"What do you think is wrong with it?" he asked.
"Take your medicine first," Estrella replied.
The nurses looked at her as if she were crazy.
But the next moment, Chairman Banks swallowed his medicine and washed it down with water.
They all stared in shock.
What they had struggled with for hours, she achieved in seconds.
"So, what do you think is wrong with it?" he asked again.
"It lacks life."
Chairman Banks studied the painting thoughtfully and nodded. "You're right."
"What do you think caused it?"
"You were so focused on creating darkness that you forgot—darkness is only beautiful when it contrasts with light. Otherwise, it just looks gloomy," Estrella pointed out.
Chairman Banks said nothing. He picked up his brush and began adding strokes of bright color.
Everyone watched in anticipation.
After a while, he dropped the brush and stared at the painting.
It had come alive.
A smile spread across his face.
He turned to Estrella. "Thank you."
He paused, then added, "For saving my life… and for this."
"You're welcome," Estrella replied.
Luciano felt satisfied. Estrella had already made a strong impression.
That made their marriage more believable.
"Let me introduce her to you—"
Chairman Banks rolled his eyes. "I remember her clearly. She is Estrella Vale—the woman who saved my life."
"And my wife," Luciano added, wrapping an arm around her waist.
Chairman Banks sneered. "Did he pay you to act with him?"
Before Estrella could respond, Luciano placed their marriage certificate before him.
The old man wasn't convinced. "This could be forged. You're not that easy to control."
He had threatened Luciano's inheritance—but he knew how stubborn his grandson was.
"You don't believe it?" Luciano smirked. "Then watch."
He caught Estrella by the jaw, pulling her face closer.
Then he leaned in and kissed her—possessive, deliberate, and in front of everyone.
The kiss was brief.
But by the time he pulled away, Estrella was already out of breath. And was blushing so hard, that her cheek became rosy.
"Gosh, that was sudden, "
She knew it was just an act. But her heart couldn't help but race faster.