Chapter 19 The Side He Chose
1009 Words
The following week brought another important event for De Luca Enterprises.
A high-profile business networking evening hosted by several powerful investors in New York. It was not as glamorous as a charity gala, but it was still an event where reputations mattered.
Lorenzo had attended countless events like this before.
Usually, Isabella accompanied him.
But recently, he had stopped asking.
Not because he didn’t want her there.
But because work had slowly taken priority.
And Isabella had stopped reminding him.
That evening, Isabella stood in their bedroom staring at the closet.
Several elegant dresses hung neatly inside.
They had been bought for events, galas, and dinners Lorenzo once loved taking her to.
Her fingers brushed against one of them.
Then she quietly closed the closet door.
Instead, she changed into comfortable clothes and tied her hair into a loose ponytail.
From the living room, she could hear Lorenzo on the phone discussing business details.
A few minutes later, he walked into the bedroom adjusting his jacket.
“I’m leaving,” he said.
Isabella nodded.
“Okay.”
He paused for a moment.
“You’re not coming?”
She looked up at him calmly.
“You didn’t ask.”
The simple statement made him hesitate.
“I assumed you wouldn’t want to.”
She smiled faintly.
“You’re probably right.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Lorenzo checked his watch.
“I’ll be late.”
“Alright.”
“Don’t wait up.”
“I won’t.”
He left the room.
The front door closed a minute later.
And the apartment fell silent again.
Across the city, the business lounge buzzed with conversation.
Executives, investors, and entrepreneurs filled the large hall.
Lorenzo arrived and quickly joined a group of businessmen discussing upcoming partnerships.
Everything seemed normal.
Until he heard a familiar voice behind him.
“Well… looks like we keep meeting at the same places.”
Lorenzo turned.
Victoria Hayes stood there wearing a sleek black dress, holding a glass of champagne.
“You’re here too,” he said.
“Of course.”
She glanced around the room.
“These events are important for networking.”
“You seem prepared.”
“I learned from the best.”
Her eyes met his meaningfully.
Lorenzo ignored the implication.
“What are you working on now?”
“My new fashion retail expansion.”
“That’s ambitious.”
“It is.”
Victoria leaned slightly closer.
“But it’s easier when you have the right connections.”
Before Lorenzo could respond, one of the investors approached them.
“Mr. De Luca.”
Lorenzo turned to greet him.
But the man’s attention quickly shifted to Victoria.
“And you are?”
Victoria smiled gracefully.
“Victoria Hayes.”
The investor nodded thoughtfully.
“Oh, I’ve heard about your new project.”
“Yes.”
“Interesting concept.”
The conversation quickly expanded as more business figures joined the group.
Soon, Victoria found herself standing beside Lorenzo while discussing her company’s plans.
From the outside…
They looked perfectly comfortable together.
Like two successful professionals who had known each other for years.
Which, in truth, they had.
Across the room, another woman approached the group.
She was one of Lorenzo’s long-time business partners.
Her name was Miranda Cole.
Miranda studied the scene with curiosity.
She leaned closer to Lorenzo and spoke quietly.
“Where’s your wife tonight?”
The question was casual.
But it instantly shifted the atmosphere.
Victoria listened carefully.
Lorenzo answered simply,
“She stayed home.”
Miranda raised an eyebrow slightly.
“That’s unusual.”
Victoria spoke before Lorenzo could respond.
“Isabella probably doesn’t enjoy these events.”
Miranda looked at her curiously.
“Oh?”
Victoria shrugged lightly.
“She seems more… simple.”
The word hung in the air.
Miranda glanced toward Lorenzo.
Waiting.
Giving him a chance to correct the statement.
To defend his wife.
To say something.
But Lorenzo simply took a sip of his drink and said calmly,
“She prefers quieter environments.”
The response sounded neutral.
But it wasn’t a defense.
Victoria noticed.
And inside, she smiled.
Miranda changed the subject after that.
But the moment had already happened.
And several people in the group had quietly understood something important.
Later that night, Lorenzo returned home.
It was close to midnight.
The apartment lights were dim.
He walked into the living room expecting to find it empty.
Instead, Isabella sat on the sofa with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
She looked up when he entered.
“You’re still awake,” he said.
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“How was your evening?”
“Fine.”
He removed his jacket and placed it over the chair.
“Work event.”
She nodded.
“I assumed.”
He poured himself a glass of water.
Then he noticed something unusual.
“You look tired.”
“I am.”
“Did something happen today?”
Isabella hesitated.
Then she spoke quietly.
“I met Miranda earlier.”
Lorenzo froze slightly.
“At the café near Central Park.”
“She mentioned seeing you tonight.”
He remained silent.
Isabella continued calmly.
“She also mentioned Victoria was there.”
Lorenzo set the glass down slowly.
“Yes.”
Another pause filled the room.
Then Isabella asked something simple.
“Did you enjoy the evening?”
Lorenzo looked at her.
“Yes.”
She nodded slowly.
“Good.”
He frowned slightly.
“That’s all you’re going to say?”
“What else should I say?”
“I don’t know.”
She gave a small tired smile.
“Neither do I.”
Then she stood up.
“I’m going to sleep.”
She walked toward the bedroom quietly.
Leaving Lorenzo standing alone in the living room.
And for the first time…
Something uncomfortable stirred inside his chest.
Because Isabella hadn’t been angry.
She hadn’t accused him.
She hadn’t even seemed jealous.
Instead…
She looked like someone who had slowly started letting go.
And somehow, that frightened him more than anything else.
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