Racilee didn't sleep.
Not even for a second.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the file.
The photos.
The truth.
He had been watching her.
The thought alone made her chest tighten.
By morning, she was already dressed, pacing the room like a caged animal.
She needed air.
Space.
Something that didn't feel like him.
The door opened suddenly.
Racilee turned sharply.
Luciano stood there.
Calm. As always.
Like he hadn't shattered her reality the night before.
"We're going out," he said.
Her brows furrowed. "We?"
"Yes."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
"You are."
Her jaw clenched. "You don't get to control every part of my life."
Luciano stepped inside, his gaze steady.
"I control the parts that keep you alive."
That again.
That same line.
Racilee frowned. "What aren't you telling me?"
A pause.
Then—
"You ask too many questions."
"And you give too few answers."
For a second, silence stretched between them.
Then he turned away.
"Get ready."
And just like that—
The conversation was over.
The car ride felt different this time.
Not tense.
Not quiet.
Heavy.
Like something was waiting.
Racilee stared out the window as Milan came alive—busy streets, flashing lights, people living normal lives she was no longer part of.
"You're meeting someone," she said suddenly.
Luciano didn't look at her.
"Yes."
Her stomach tightened. "Who?"
"You'll see."
She hated that answer.
The car stopped in front of a luxury restaurant.
Elegant.
Expensive.
The kind of place where power sat at every table.
Racilee hesitated before stepping out.
Something felt off.
Wrong.
The moment they walked in, heads turned.
Not at her.
At him.
Whispers followed.
Respect. Fear.
Power.
Racilee stayed close, refusing to show how out of place she felt.
Until—
"Luciano."
The voice was smooth.
Familiar.
Dangerous.
Racilee turned.
And saw her.
She was stunning.
Tall. Elegant. Dressed like she owned the room.
Every eye was already on her.
Not just because of her beauty—
But because everyone knew who she was.
A model.
Famous.
Untouchable.
And the way she looked at Luciano—
Said everything.
"Well," she smiled slowly. "You didn't tell me you got married."
Racilee stiffened.
Luciano's expression didn't change.
"Valentina."
The name landed heavy.
Valentina.
Racilee didn't like how it sounded already.
Valentina's eyes shifted to her.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Measuring.
"So this is her," she said softly.
The same words Luciano had used.
Racilee felt irritation spark instantly.
"And you are?" Racilee asked, her tone sharp.
Valentina's lips curved.
"Oh… he didn't tell you?"
She stepped closer.
Too close.
"I'm the woman who knew him before he became the monster you see now."
Silence.
Thick.
Uncomfortable.
Racilee felt her chest tighten—but she refused to show it.
"Interesting," she said coolly. "Because he didn't mention you at all."
A flicker of something crossed Valentina's face.
Then it was gone.
"Of course he didn't," she said lightly. "He doesn't like talking about his past."
Her gaze slid back to Luciano.
"But I remember everything."
Something in her tone—
Wasn't normal.
It wasn't just nostalgia.
It was power.
Luciano finally spoke.
"We're not here for this."
Valentina laughed softly. "No? Then what are we here for?"
A pause.
Then her eyes dropped slightly.
To Racilee's hand.
To the ring.
Her smile faded.
Just a little.
"You really went through with it," she murmured.
Racilee caught that.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Valentina looked at her again.
And this time—
There was no softness.
"He doesn't marry," she said quietly.
Racilee's heart skipped.
"Then I guess I'm special," she shot back.
Valentina's lips curved again.
But it didn't reach her eyes.
"Oh, you are."
A pause.
"Just not in the way you think."
That hit deeper than it should have.
Racilee turned to Luciano. "Care to explain?"
But he was already watching Valentina.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
Like this was expected.
That made it worse.
Valentina leaned slightly closer to Racilee, her voice dropping just enough—
"So tell me… does he still wake up at night?"
Racilee froze.
"What?"
Valentina smiled slowly.
"Or does he hide that from you too?"
The air shifted instantly.
Racilee felt it.
The tension.
The danger.
"What are you talking about?" she demanded.
Valentina straightened.
Her eyes met Luciano's.
And for the first time—
Something passed between them.
Something unspoken.
Something heavy.
"You didn't tell her," Valentina said softly.
Luciano's voice turned cold.
"That's enough."
But she didn't stop.
Of course she didn't.
"Does she know what you did?" Valentina continued, her tone sharper now.
Racilee's heart began to race.
"What did he do?"
Silence.
No one answered.
Valentina looked at her again.
And this time—
There was no amusement.
Only truth.
"Ask him," she said quietly.
Then—
She smiled.
But it wasn't kind.
"It's always better when he lies to your face."
Racilee turned to Luciano, her chest rising fast.
"What is she talking about?"
But he didn't answer.
Didn't even look at her.
That silence—
Was the loudest thing in the room.
Valentina stepped back.
"Careful, Racilee," she said softly. "You think you married a devil?"
A pause.
Then—
"You don't even know what kind."
And just like that—
She turned and walked away.
Leaving chaos behind her.
Racilee stood frozen.
Her mind racing.
Her heart pounding.
Slowly—
She turned to Luciano.
"Tell me she's lying."
Silence.
Then—
He finally looked at her.
And what she saw in his eyes—
Wasn't denial.