The Woman Who Broke Him
854 Words
As soon as she entered the room...
Everything changed.
Trigger.
The lady at the door did not dally.
Her shoes were clicking on the marble floor--low, slow, certain.
Like she owned the place.
Like she owned him.
Giulia’s stomach tightened.
“Who is she?” she demanded.
No one answered.
Everyone was watching Matteo.
And Matteo—
Was completely still.
That horrified her more than anything.
The woman halted a couple of steps off.
She was stunning.
Tall. Elegant. Dangerous.
Her dark red dress was tight to her body as a second skin, and her eyes...
Locked directly on Matteo.
Not surprised.
Not curious.
Certain.
“Matteo,” she said softly.
His name on her lips.
Matteo exhaled slowly.
Like he’d been hit.
He stepped forward.
One step.
Then stopped.
The space between them was weightier than anything there.
Giulia came in front of him.
Blocking his view.
“Answer me.”
Her voice was sharp.
Controlled.
Barely.
Matteo didn’t look at her.
“That’s none of your concern.”
The dismissal.
Giulia blazed up.
“Oh, it’s not?” she snapped.
She grabbed his arm.
Hard.
To one who dragged me into your mess, I believe it is.
That got his attention.
His eyes dropped to her.
Dark.
Warning.
“Careful.”
But Giulia didn’t back down.
“Who is she?”
Before Matteo could answer—
The woman smiled.
Cold.
Elegant.
“I’ll answer that.”
Giulia turned.
The woman stepped closer.
Unbothered.
She extended her hand.
“Isabella Moretti.”
The name hit like a shockwave.
The room reacted instantly.
Whispers.
Recognition.
Tension.
Giulia didn’t take her hand.
“And why are you here?”
Isabella’s smile widened.
“I was invited.”
She glanced at Alessandro.
“Wasn’t I?”
Alessandro stepped forward.
Matteo’s jaw tightened.
You are taking a risk.
Alessandro shrugged.
“I’m levelling the field.”
Giulia looked between them.
Confusion rising.
“What field?”
Isabella answered instead.
The one with Matteo acting as if he has moved on.
Giulia’s chest tightened.
She looked around and faced Matteo.
“What is she talking about?”
Matteo’s silence stretched.
Too long.
And silence was everything.
Giulia laughed bitterly.
“Wow.”
She stepped back.
So, this is where I learn I am only a replacement?
Matteo snapped.
“You’re not a replacement.”
Isabella laughed softly.
Giulia’s gaze shot to her.
Isabella tilted her head.
Certain, certain, sure, Matteo?
The tension spiked.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Giulia moved in with Matteo.
“For once, don’t lie.”
Her voice dropped.
“Did you love her?”
Matteo didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
The word landed like a punch.
Giulia’s breath hitched.
Just for a second.
She recovered fast.
Of course he did.
Men like him always had a past.
But then she posed the actual question.
“And do you still?”
Silence.
And that silence?
That was worse than anything.
Isabella stepped forward.
Closing the distance.
She brushed her hand gently over Matteo.
“Tell her,” She whispered.
Matteo grabbed her wrist.
Fast.
Hard.
The room gasped.
“Don’t touch me,” he said coldly.
But Isabella didn’t look hurt.
She smiled.
Like she expected it.
Giulia watched everything.
Every movement.
Every reaction.
And something clicked.
Power Shift.
This wasn’t over.
Not even close.
Giulia leapt forward--
And grabbed Matteo’s collar.
Pulling him down.
Hard.
What do we do? she said.
Since I am not standing here looking like an ass.
Matteo’s eyes locked on hers.
“You’re not a fool.”
“Then act like it.”
She didn’t release him.
His hand moved to her waist.
Tight.
Pulling her closer.
Performance, he said.
Her breath hitched.
“Yes.”
His eyes darkened.
“Then don’t break character.”
And before she could respond—
He kissed her again.
Not like before.
This time it was slower.
Deeper.
Intentional.
A statement.
Giulia felt it.
The difference.
The danger.
The line they were crossing.
Her nails were closing into his shirt.
Pushing him to come closer rather than to push him away.
The room shifted again.
Whispers turned.
Investors exchanged looks.
But Isabella—
Didn’t move.
Didn’t react.
She just watched.
And when Matteo pulled away—
She spoke.
Calm.
Precise.
“You’re really going to do this?”
Matteo didn’t look at her.
“Yes.”
Isabella smiled no longer.
Her eyes hardened.
So, I guess I ought to cease withholding your secret.
Matteo froze.
Giulia felt it instantly.
That shift.
That tension.
“What secret?” she asked.
Isabella stared her in the face.
And smiled slowly.
One of why Matteo really needs you.
The room went silent.
Giulia’s pulse pounded.
“What are you talking about?”
Isabella made a step nearer.
Her voice dropped.
Soft.
Deadly.
Is this business to you?
She leaned in—
Near enough to hear Giulia.
“It’s not.”
Giulia’s breath caught.
“Then what is it?” she whispered.
Isabella’s lips curved.
And in her next, she broke it all.
He does not merely require a girlfriend....
A pause.
A smile.
“He needs a bride.”
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD