BOUND BY CONTRACT, CLAIMED BY DESIRE

Chapter 10: Leonardo's stand

Valentina's POV

The table went silent, as Catarina's question hung in the air. “What have you achieved? What degree do you hold?” She repeated, raising her eyebrows slightly, as she smirked at me.

I felt every pair of eyes on me,as my throat tightened, while I rubbed my hands together under the table.

"I didn't finish university," I said, my voice came out steadier than I felt. "My mother got sick. I had to work."

"How unfortunate," Catarina said, her smile widendening.

Alessandro cleared his throat. "Catarina, perhaps we should…”

"No, Alessandro. Let's be honest here." She set her wine glass down. "Valentina is a lovely girl, but she's a secretary. No degree, no family connections, no accomplishments to speak of,” she said, shaking her head slightly.

My face burned, as I tightened my hands in my lap to stop them from shaking.

My gaze drifted to Isabetta, looking down at her plate. Dante shifted uncomfortably, and Alessandro opened his mouth to speak but Catarina cut him off.

"Leonardo,” She turned to him, her voice calm, but her eyes were the opposite. "Surely you see that Isabetta is a far more suitable match, for the family, for the business."

Leonardo's jaw tightened, his knuckles went white against his fork, staring at Catarina with a boring look, but he said nothing!

"Isabetta has everything you need in a partner. Education, pedigree, the right connections…and she understands your world,” Catarina continued, leaning forward, her gaze fixed on mine.

"Catarina!" Alessandro said, his voice was firm. "This is inappropriate."

"Is it?" Catarina's eyes moved to Alessandro. "Or is it inappropriate to let my son marry someone so clearly beneath him?"

The words landed like a slap, my throat became heavy, my eyes blurry, as I stood up.

The chair scraped against the floor, as everyone looked at me.

"Excuse me," I said, my voice tight, barely above a whisper. "I need to use the restroom."

I walked out before anyone could respond, as my heels clicked against the marble floor, down the hallway and into the bathroom at the end of the hall.

I locked the door behind me, and suddenly went to the sink. My hands gripped the sink as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My face was flushed, my eyes were wet.

“Don't cry…don't you dare cry,” I said shaking my head slightly, breathing rapidly.

I pressed my palms against my eyes and took a shaky breath.

“I’m a secretary with no degree, no family, no accomplishments. Catarina was right, I didn't belong here…”

A knock on the door made me jump. “Valentina?” Leonardo's was outside the door.

I wiped my eyes quickly. "I'm fine,” said, wiping my eyes.

"Open the door, you're not fine,” his baritone voice echoed.

"I said I'm fine!” my voice raised slightly, as I clenched my jaw.

"Fine…I'll be waiting here.” He said.

I unlocked the door and pulled it open and saw Leonardo in the hallway. His tie was slightly loosened, his expression was unreadable as we stared at each other.

"We should go back," I said breaking the contact.

"Not yet,” he said, as he pulled me closer to him

"Leonardo, I…” I turned to face him.

"She's wrong." His voice was low but clear. "About you."

"Is she?" I replied, swallowing the lump on my throat.

"Yes."

"She said I'm beneath you, and it's true. I'm just your secretary, nothing else,” I looked at him, my eyes treary.

"She's wrong.”

"Then why didn't you say anything?" The words came out sharper than I intended. "You sat there and let her tear me apart!”

"I know,” Leonardo said, as his jaw tightened.

"That's it? You know?" I said, as I shook my head. "I can't do this."

I turned to walk away, but his hand caught my wrist.

"Wait,” he said. I stopped, his grip was firm but not painful.

"I'm sorry," he said, running his hands through his hair.

I looked back at him, his eyes met mine.

"I'm sorry I didn't defend you immediately. I should have,” his gaze were fixed on me.

"Why didn't you?" I muttered, as my chest tightened.

"Because I was trying to decide how to handle it without making things worse,” he said, releasing my wrist.

"And?"

"I've decided,” he muttered, as he walked past me, back toward the dining room while I followed.

Everyone looked up when we entered, and Catarina stopped what she was talking about.

"As I was saying, Leonardo, you need to think about what's best for…"

"Enough!” He said, the single word cut through the room, his blue eyes staring daggers at Catarina as everyone froze.

Leonardo stood at the head of the table. His expression was calm but cold.

"Mother," he said. "I'm going to say this once, so listen carefully."

Catarina's eyes narrowed. "Leonardo…"

"I'm not finished,” he said, as the room went silent again.

Leonardo walked toward me and stopped in front of my chair and extended his hand, but I stared at it.

What was he doing? I thought to myself, my brows furrowed.

"Take my hand," he said quietly. I hesitated, but I placed my hand in his, and he pulled me to my feet, as his arm went around my waist.

I took a deep breath, my cheeks turning red. This was the first time he had touched me like this in front of anyone. The first time it felt real instead of rehearsed.

His hand was warm against my back, and I ooked up at him, but his eyes were on his mother.

"Valentina is my fiancée," he said, his voice flat. "That's not up for debate."

Catarina's face went pale. "Leonardo, you're making a mistake."

"No. I'm making a choice,” he said, as he turned to Isabetta. She looked up at him, her green eyes wide.

"And you," he said to her. "Deserve someone who chooses you. Not someone people chooses for you."

Isabetta's face crumpled just for a second, but she smoothed it away.

But beneath all, I saw it. The hurt, the shame and something else too…something I didn't understand.

Leonardo's hand tightened on my waist. "We're leaving,” he said, guiding me toward the door.

"Leonardo!" Catarina stood, her voice was red. "If you walk out of here with her, you're making a very serious mistake."

Leonardo stopped, his gaze fixed on her.

"The only mistake I made tonight was not ending this conversation sooner,” he said, then he walked out still holding my waist.

The cool night air hit my face as we stepped outside. Leonardo's hand stayed on my back as we walked to the car.

He opened the passenger door for me, and I I got in without a word, as he drove in silence.

The city lights blurred past the window, but my heart was still racing and after ten minutes, I finally spoke.

"Thank you,” I whispered.

"Don't thank me,” he said, his hands tightening onnthe steering wheel.

"Why not?" I furrowed my brows.

"Because that was for appearances,” he muttered, his gaze fixed on the road.

The words stung as I looked out the window.

He said it was for appearance but appearances don't make your hands shake. Does he care about me or I'm I seeing things?