Asher stepped into the living room and immediately froze, his gaze landing on Sara kissing Luca.
"I thought you would come alone, Sara," Asher said, his voice sharp enough to grab their attention.
Both of them tilted their heads, looking at him as he began to walk toward them with the support of a crutch.
"I could not let my wife meet alone with a man who cheated on her," said Luca, his eyes fixed on Asher with a bitter gaze.
Sara quickly stood up from her place on the sofa and looked him over, scrutinizing Asher from top to bottom.
"Take a good look at me, Sara. This is what Luca did to me," he said bitterly, deliberately ignoring Luca’s accusation.
"Frida has been pestering me about your condition. It seems she has always been worried for you, but you two pretended in front of me so innocently. Asher, why did you do it?" Sara demanded an explanation with confusion and anger.
Luca stared at her in disbelief, the edge of his bitter gaze softening with surprise. He had clearly thought she was here to apologize to Asher, not interrogate him.
"I broke up with her," Asher stated, shifting his weight on the crutch.
"I didn’t ask that," Sara pressed, taking several steps toward him. "Why did you see me when you always loved Frida? You came to my wedding, accusing me of cheating on you. You created such a big scene about it while pretending to be a man of high noble values. What was your plan, Asher?" Sara squinted her eyes in suspicion, searching his face.
"Go ask Frida. She’s the one who pushed me to see you," Asher said. "Frankly, I’m done with both of you. She insisted I get close to you, which I did. But let’s be clear, Sara: you’re just as much a cheater. You married Luca without telling me. We’re square now. I genuinely hope you manage to live well with a gangster like your husband. He jailed me, and then he assaulted me. I was wrong about you, Sara, because I never thought you’d tell Luca to be judge, jury, and executioner."
Sara cut in before Luca could speak, "You still haven’t acknowledged your actions. How dare you casually dismiss everything by saying you only saw me because Frida made you? And then, to suggest I cheated on you!" She let out a short laugh.
"The only reason I called you back was not to apologize. You deserved that beating. In fact, I asked Luca to do it. That’s precisely what assholes like you deserve," Sara stated. "Luca, let’s go. We’re finished talking."
However, before turning away, she deliberately closed the distance between them and raised her hand, merely to frighten him. Asher reacted instantly, throwing an arm up to shield his face, expecting a slap. She seized the opportunity and shoved him hard. Off-balance, Asher hit the floor with a painful thud.
"You were profoundly mistaken if you believed I would ever marry you. My standards are high, and that’s why I chose Luca," she finished, dismissing him entirely as she strode away.
Luca walked past Asher, who was wincing in pain on the floor as his leg got hit.
"Did you hear Sara? You deserved to get beaten up, and because you dared to tell everyone I did it, let me warn you further. You will see hell soon," Luca threatened as he glared at him before following his wife’s footsteps.
Outside, he saw that Sara was already seated in the car. He quickly slipped into the driver’s seat and sped away from the area.
The rest of the drive passed in silence until Luca pulled up in front of a luxurious restaurant.
They went inside and settled at a table Luca had reserved.
"I honestly didn’t expect you to handle Asher quite like that," Luca admitted, taking a sip of water.
"I would never have apologized to him. Initially, I thought I should, but then I realized he absolutely deserved it. Did you hear what he said? Frida asked him to see me. What kind of sick game is she playing? And how could I have been so blind?" Sara muttered, burying her face in her hands in shock.
"I always suspected Diego was the source of your troubles, but Frida is genuinely unsettling," Luca remarked. "Do you think she’s the one who forged your signature?"
"I have no idea, but I can’t rule it out," Sara replied.
The waiter then approached for their orders.
"Go ahead and order," Luca offered, passing her the menu. He was entertained by the substantial meal she requested.
After the waiter left, Sara explained, "I’m ravenous, and I feel like a good meal will help lift my spirits."
"It certainly will. After we eat, let’s go to my favorite place," Luca suggested. "You’ll love the spot."
"What could your favorite spot possibly be?" she murmured.
"You’ll find out soon enough. I also didn’t expect you to use me the way you did in front of Asher," he pointed out.
"You told me I could use your name and your power for as long as I’m your wife," Sara reminded him.
"Yes, I did," he conceded. "So, does this mean you’re considering starting a real relationship with me?" he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"No. Why would I attach myself to you when we’re going to separate after one year?" she replied softly.
That single statement was enough to make Luca’s expression instantly darken.
"Sara!"
A masculine voice suddenly cut through their exchange, causing both of them to turn their heads.
"Excuse me, but who are you?" Sara asked, not recognizing the man. Luca, however, instantly knew who he was.
"The one who was going to marry you," the man replied. "I am Mathias Picasso, the son of Monte Picasso."
"What did you just say?" Sara frowned at him. At that moment, Luca rose from his seat. "My wife and I are on a date. Please leave, quietly."
Mathias fixed his gaze on Luca and let out a short, menacing laugh. "You’ve stolen what was meant to be mine yet again," he muttered under his breath.