The big difference
830 Words
Reina’s POV
The sun sat lazily above the mansion, its warmth dancing over the surface of the pool where I sat, my feet dipped lightly into the water. For a moment, everything felt calm—too calm. The kind of calm that usually came before something unpleasant.
And I was right.
“I must say… you look quite comfortable here.”
Her voice came before her presence fully settled beside me.
Valeria.
I didn’t turn immediately. Instead, I took a slow sip of my wine before glancing at her. “I live here. Comfort is expected.”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Of course. I used to sit here too, you know… back when I was the lady of this house.”
I let out a soft, amused breath, finally facing her fully. “You mean when you were his girlfriend.”
The slight twitch in her expression was satisfying.
“There’s a difference,” I continued calmly, lifting my glass. “A very big one. I’m his wife.”
Silence lingered between us, thick and charged.
Valeria tilted her head slightly, studying me. “And how has that been? Living with Sebastian… must be quite the experience.”
I smiled—slow, deliberate.
“It is,” I said. “He’s very attentive.” I paused just enough. “And yes—before you ask—he satisfies me in all ramifications.”
Her fingers tightened subtly around her glass.
Good.
The tension between us deepened, wrapped in polite smiles and hidden daggers, until a voice broke through it.
“Enjoying yourselves?”
I turned instantly.
Sebastian.
---
Sebastian’s POV
I was going through some documents in my study when a knock came on the door.
“Come in,” I said without looking up.
One of the guards stepped in. “Sir… Miss Valeria is here.”
My hand froze over the paper.
“Where is she?” I asked calmly.
“By the pool, sir… with Mrs. Reina.”
That got my full attention.
I stood up slowly, adjusting my sleeves as I walked out. My steps were steady, but my thoughts weren’t. Valeria didn’t show up without a reason—and definitely not to sit comfortably with my wife.
As I approached the poolside, I slowed down.
And there they were.
Wine in hand. Eyes locked. A silent battle already in motion.
I stayed back for a moment, watching.
Reina wasn’t intimidated.
If anything… she was in control.
A faint smile touched my lips.
I liked that.
I stepped forward. “Enjoying yourselves?”
---
Reina’s POV
Both of us turned.
Valeria stood first. I followed, but my eyes went straight to Sebastian. There was something calm about him… too calm.
“Sebastian,” she said smoothly.
“Valeria,” he replied, stepping closer. “I see you’ve made yourself comfortable.”
“I was just catching up.”
“With my wife,” he added, his tone even but firm.
Something shifted.
Subtle. Sharp.
He glanced at me briefly before returning his attention to her. “Let me make something clear,” he continued, his voice dropping slightly. “You no longer have the right to show up here unannounced.”
Her smile didn’t fully fade, but I saw it—the irritation beneath.
“Noted,” she said.
Her eyes met mine again, lingering with something dark and challenging before she turned and walked away.
And just like that…
The tension didn’t leave.
It shifted.
---
The moment she was gone, I turned to him.
“What was that?” I demanded.
He raised a brow. “What was what?”
“That woman just walked into your house like she owned it!”
“And you handled it,” he said simply. “Quite well, I might add.”
I scoffed. “Don’t change the subject.”
“I’m not,” he replied, stepping closer. “I’m saying you didn’t need me to step in.”
“That’s not the point, Sebastian!”
Frustration surged through me as I turned away, my steps quick as I headed toward the edge of the pool.
“Reina—”
“Just leave it!” I snapped, moving faster—
And then—
My foot slipped.
A gasp escaped me as I tilted dangerously toward the water, but before I could fall, his hand caught me.
Firm. Immediate.
I was pulled back against him, my body colliding with his chest, his arm wrapping tightly around my waist.
For a moment, everything stilled.
Too close.
Too warm.
Too… familiar.
I looked up at him, my breath uneven, and his gaze met mine—softer than before, but still holding that control he never seemed to lose.
“Careful,” he murmured.
My hand rested against his chest. “You’d miss me if I fell.”
A faint smirk touched his lips. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
But he didn’t let go.
Not immediately.
- Writer
