DANGEROUSLY YOURS MR.VALE

CHAPTER 16

Sienna’s Pov

I held Luca’s hand tight as we walked into Victor’s private dining room. The table was set with too many plates. Clara sat already, looking nervous. Victor stood when he saw us. “Damian, Sienna. I'm glad you made it. Sit.”

Luca pulled my chair. “Thanks Dad. We have been looking forward to this.” I smiled at Victor. “Yes, it is nice to have family time.” Victor watched us closely. “Family time. Interesting choice of words after all the secrets lately.”

Clara spoke quickly. “Victor, they look happy. Let them enjoy dinner.” Victor ignored her. “Sienna, I hear your old editor Valerie has interesting stories. Care to share why you stopped investigating us?” Drama started fast. I squeezed Luca’s hand under the table. “I stopped because I fell in love. Luca showed me a different side. We are building something real.”

Luca added, “She makes me better. The memory loss changed me, but Sienna helped me find my way back.” Victor leaned forward. “Memory loss. Convenient. And your brother Noah? His debt disappeared fast. How exactly?” I answered calmly, “Luca helped as family. We take care of each other now.” Victor smiled, but it was cold. “Family. Or cover up?”

Clara jumped in. “Victor, this dinner is for connection. Not questions.” Victor turned to her. “Quiet Clara. I know things feel off with Damian lately.” Luca said, “Dad, ask me anything. I am here. We are here.” I added, “Our marriage started fast, but it is strong. I love him.” Luca looked at me. “And I love her. More than anything.”

Victor’s phone buzzed. He checked it and frowned. “Interesting. Someone says the real Damian wants to join us soon.” Drama hit harder. My heart raced. “What do you mean?” Victor showed the message. “Rumours. Or truth. Sienna, would you know your real husband?” I replied, “Luca is my real husband. The man I chose. The one who protects me and Noah.”

Luca said, “This is another game. Someone wants to hurt us.” Clara added, “Victor, stop this. They seem genuine.” Victor laughed a little. “Genuine? Ethan called me earlier. He says Sienna might need saving from this marriage.” I gasped. “Ethan? He is just a worried friend.” Luca’s voice got tight. “He keeps calling. It is getting old.”

Victor watched Luca. “Jealous? Or scared the real Damian comes back?” I turned to Luca. “Tell him. Tell everyone.” Luca looked at Victor. “I love Sienna. Our life is real now. The crash changed me, but she made me want a future. Kids. Peace. Not revenge or lies.” I smiled at him. “See? That is my husband. I do not need saving from him.”

My phone vibrated. Ethan. I put it on speaker. “Ethan, we are at dinner. Stop.” Ethan said fast, “Sienna, I am outside. Damian is close. He knows Luca stole his life. Come out. I can show proof.” Victor raised an eyebrow. “See? Even your friend sees the problem.” Luca answered, “Ethan, she is my wife. She stays. Send proof or leave us alone.” Ethan replied, “Sienna, I still care. This is dangerous. Think about us.”

I said clearly, “There is no us, Ethan. I love Luca. Our marriage is real. Block my number after this.” I hung up. Luca kissed my hand. “Thank you. That drama was too much.” Victor said, “Nice show. But if the real Damian walks in right now?” Clara spoke, “Victor, enough. Look at them. They are in love. I see it every day.”

I turned to Victor. “Ask me anything. My investigations? Over. Because Luca is worth more than stories.” Luca added, “And I paid Noah’s debt because she is my family. Clara knows we are solid.” Clara nodded. “They are. Stop testing them.” Victor leaned back. “Fine for now. But I have more questions about the company accounts. Missing money, Damian?”

Luca replied smoothly, “Business stuff. I am handling it. For the family.” I added, “We focus on us. Our future. No more old drama.” Victor’s phone buzzed again. “Another message. Damian says he misses his wife.” Drama rose. I shook my head. “I am Luca’s wife. That is the truth.” Luca said, “Whoever is sending these wants to break us. It will not work.”

Clara asked, “Victor, who is really messaging you?” Victor smiled. “Maybe the real one. Sienna, how do you feel knowing your husband might be fake?” I answered, “He is not fake to me. His heart, his love, that is real. I feel it every day.” Luca looked at me soft. “You hear that, Dad? She knows me. The real me.” I continued, “Ethan can call. Messages can come. We stay together.”

Victor paused. “Interesting. Clara, you believe them?” Clara said, “Yes. They make each other better. Let them be.” Luca asked, “Can we eat now? Talk normal?” Victor nodded slowly. “For now. But this is not over.” I whispered to Luca, “We are doing good.” Luca whispered back, “Because of you. I love you.” I replied, “I love you more. This drama makes it clearer.”

During the meal, Victor asked more. “Sienna, your parents’ accident. Any new thoughts?” I said, “It was hard. But Luca helps me heal. We talk about real things.” Luca added, “We plan to bring Isabella home soon. Family growing.” Victor raised an eyebrow. “Isabella? More secrets?” Clara said, “Victor, let them share when ready.”

My phone buzzed again. Noah. I answered quickly on speaker. “Noah, we are fine.” Noah said, “Ethan came by here. He is really worried. Says Damian is inside the building.” Luca answered, “Tell Ethan to go home. We handle our lives.” Noah replied, “Okay. Call me after. Love you both.” I said, “Love you too. Stay safe.”

Victor laughed. “Even your brother gets dragged in.” I replied, “He is family. We protect each other.” Luca said, “Exactly. Like I protect Sienna from all this noise.” I turned to Luca. “And I protect you. No more revenge. Just us.” Luca smiled. “Yes. You changed everything.” Clara added, “See Victor? Real.”

Victor got another message. “Damian is waiting outside.” Drama peaked. I said, “Let him come. I choose Luca.” Luca held my hand. “We face it. Together.” Victor stood. “Maybe I invite him in.” Clara said, “Victor, this is cruel. Stop.” I looked at Luca. “Whatever happens, I love you. Real.” Luca replied, “Same. My wife. My future.”

We kept talking through the tension. “Victor, give us time,” Luca said. “We prove it every day.” I added, “No more calls from Ethan. No more rumours. Just our life.” Victor sat back. “We will see. Dinner continues.” The drama stayed heavy, but our words stayed stronger. Luca whispered, “We are winning this.” I whispered back, “Yes. Because it is real love.”