BILLIONAIRES VENDETTA

CHAPTER 7: THE WHITE FLAME OF DEFIANCE

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NATALIE'S POV

The hospital corridors always felt colder during the night shift, especially when you were trying to avoid facing something you couldn’t escape. I walked silently beside Olga, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk to her—it was that I didn’t know how to talk about it. About him. About everything.

Olga's eyes were sharp, and I could feel her analyzing every inch of my body language. I tried to pretend like I wasn’t completely unraveling inside.

She stopped suddenly, turning to face me with her arms crossed. “You know you can’t avoid this forever, right? You’ve been acting like the walls are closing in on you. And you’ve barely said a word about the wedding. I’m your best friend, Nat. Tell me what’s going on.”

Her voice was like a quiet command, the kind I couldn’t ignore even if I tried.

“I’m getting married,” I said, the words slipping out before I had time to think.

She blinked, her expression betraying a mix of confusion and concern. “Wait. What? You’re... what?”

I gave a nervous laugh, hoping to brush it off. "Yeah. I’m getting married. I know, it sounds crazy, right?"

She frowned deeper, looking at me like I’d grown a second head. “Crazy? That’s an understatement, Natalie. You’re seriously telling me you’re marrying someone? Who, exactly? Because, last I checked, you were single. I saw you at that bar last week. Who's the lucky guy?”

I didn’t want to see her face when I said his name. I didn’t want to see the disappointment or disbelief I knew would flash across it. But I couldn’t keep it from her any longer.

“Luca De Rossi,” I said, barely above a whisper.

The reaction was instant. Olga took a step back, as if I’d slapped her across the face. “Luca De Rossi? That Luca De Rossi? The one you couldn't stand? You’re marrying him?”

I cringed at the harsh truth of her words. “I know how it sounds. I didn’t plan this. But... it just... happened.”

She shook her head, crossing her arms tightly. “Happened? What does that even mean? You don’t just fall into a marriage. Not with him. I thought you hated him.”

“I did. But it’s not that simple, Olga,” I said, frustration creeping into my voice. “This isn’t just about him. I’m not even sure it’s about me anymore.”

“Stop,” she said, cutting me off. Her eyes softened for a second, but there was still a storm brewing behind them. “Tell me what’s really going on. Are you in trouble? Is this a business thing? Or maybe you’ve lost your mind under the stress of med school?”

I hesitated, biting my lip. Could I even explain this? Could I make her understand?

“I’m not in trouble. It’s... complicated,” I said, the words feeling inadequate. "I’ve thought about it, and it’s not like I’m being forced into this. But I don’t think I can just walk away from it either. I’m... not sure anymore if I even have a choice."

Olga’s face twisted in confusion, but she stayed silent, waiting for me to continue. She was the closest thing I had to family in this place, and I didn’t want to lose her. But could I really tell her everything?

“Look, he... Luca has his reasons, and I... well, I have mine,” I began, feeling the weight of the truth start to settle in. “This is more than just two people getting married. There’s something about him. Something about us. It’s... I’m trying to make it work, Olga.”

Her eyes pierced mine, and I could tell she wasn’t buying it. “You're not just trying to make it work, Nat. You're hiding something. I don’t know what it is, but you’re running from something. And I don’t know if you realize it yet, but this guy? He’s not some innocent little knight in shining armor. He’s Luca De Rossi. And you... you’re in deep.”

I sighed, my chest tight. “I know. But it’s happening. We’re doing this.”

“Not on my watch,” Olga said firmly. “You don’t get to destroy your life because of some guy with a dark past. And trust me, that man has a dark past. This marriage? It’s not love. It’s control. And you’re walking into it with your eyes wide shut.”

I felt my stomach twist. Was she right? Was I just another pawn in a game I didn’t even understand? “I can’t back out now, Olga. It’s... too late.”

Her eyes softened with concern, but her voice stayed steady. “Okay, fine. But don’t come crying to me when this all blows up in your face. I’ll be there for you, but I’m not going to sit back and watch you destroy yourself.”

I nodded, trying to force a smile. “I won’t. I’ll be fine. You’re going to be my chief bridesmaid, okay?”

Olga’s lips curled up at the corners, but there was still a hint of worry in her eyes. “Only if I get to plan every detail of that wedding. And if I catch one hint of bullshit, I’ll be sending you straight to therapy.”

“Deal,” I said, chuckling softly, but it was a hollow sound. I couldn’t tell if she was being serious or if she was trying to lighten the mood.

But inside, my thoughts were a chaotic mess. How have I gotten here? Was I really going to marry Luca? And if I was, what kind of life was I walking into?

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LUCA'S POV

The silence in the room was oppressive. My mother was sitting across from me, her hands wrapped tightly around her coffee cup like it might be the only thing keeping her together. She hadn’t said a word for minutes, her gaze fixed on the tabletop as though searching for an answer in the smooth surface.

“Mamma,” I said finally, my voice breaking through the tension like a crack in glass. “We need to talk.”

She didn’t look up. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, Luca. But I know you’re not thinking this through.”

I sat down across from her, trying to keep my emotions in check. “I’m doing what’s best for the famiglia. I’m marrying Natalie.”

Her head snapped up, her eyes filled with an emotion I couldn’t place. “Natalie Grey Ivanovna? You’re marrying a doctor? Someone completely outside of our world?”

“I’m marrying her because I love her,” I said, the words strange on my tongue.

My mother scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her. “Love? You don’t know what love is. You’ve never known anything but power, Luca. You think you’re doing this for love, but it’s just more of the same—control. And you’re dragging her into something she’s not prepared for.”

I felt my anger flare, but I kept my voice calm. “This isn’t just about power, Mamma. This is about family. About securing our future.”

She leaned forward, her gaze intense. “And in that future, where do you stand, Luca? You’re not marrying a woman. You’re marrying someone who doesn’t belong in your world. She’s not cut out for this life. You know that.”

Her words struck me like a slap, but I refused to back down. “I know what I’m doing, Mamma.”

“You’re not seeing it, Luca. You’re blinded by your own ambition. And you’re pulling her into a life she’s not ready for.”

I clenched my fists, the weight of her words settling in my chest. Could she be right? Was I making a mistake? Could I protect her from the darkness that had been my life for so long?

“You’re making a mistake,” my mother said softly, her voice laden with years of experience. “You’ll regret it. I promise you, you’ll regret it.”

I looked at her, trying to shake off the doubt creeping into my mind. “I’ve made my decision. It’s done.”

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LUCA'S POV (continued)

I stared down at my mother, feeling the weight of her words pressing against me. Despite her concerns, my decision was made. The wedding would happen, whether she liked it or not.

"I need you to prepare for the wedding," I said, my voice firm. "Start making the arrangements. This is happening, Mamma."

Her face tightened, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "You’re serious about this, aren’t you?"

I stood up, not wanting to linger in the conversation any longer. "I’m not asking for approval. Just... do what needs to be done."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a long moment, she didn’t say a word. She simply stared at me, as though trying to read my soul. But no matter how hard she looked, she wouldn’t find what she was searching for. Not this time.

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NATALIE'S POV (continued)

Olga’s words echoed in my mind as I walked down the hallway to my apartment, trying to shake off the uncertainty that had taken root in my chest. Was I really doing the right thing? Was I just another pawn in a game I didn’t understand?

My phone buzzed in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. It was a message from Luca.

Luca: The arrangements are being made. We need to talk about the details when you can. Meet me tonight at 8.

I froze for a second, staring at the screen. This was it. The moment where everything changed. The moment where I would have to decide whether I was truly ready for this or not.

But deep down, I knew. There was no turning back.

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