Chapter4
955 Words
Peter’s POV
I froze the moment Chiara walked in on Justina and me. Damn, I didn’t even like Justina like that. She wasn’t even close to Chiara—physically, emotionally, or intellectually. I’ve always preferred a woman with fire, someone with presence. Justina? She’s got the body of a teenage boy and the personality of a broken doorknob.
The truth? I only got involved with her because she was related to one of the senior managers. I figured if I kept her happy, she’d put in a good word for me and I’d move up the ranks. She loathed Chiara, and it was obvious it stemmed from pure jealousy.
Chiara—no, she’s something else. She’s brilliant, gorgeous, ambitious… everything Justina’s not. That woman is barely average, clings to power she didn’t earn, and somehow always finds a way to make herself look competent when it’s other people doing the heavy lifting. She’s spoiled, entitled, and came from a family with just enough money to pretend they mattered.
I hated how she spoke about Chiara. Hated it. But I played along—for the promotion. I figured once I secured my spot, I’d dump her. Easy. She wouldn’t dare report me, not when the whole “promotion in exchange for s*x” thing could blow back on her far worse than me.
But now none of that matters. Chiara caught us before I could end it on my terms, and I was gutted. I know cheating was wrong. If I’d known who her family was—who she really was—I would’ve thought twice. But by the time I found out, I was already entangled with Justina.
I loved Chiara. Still do. She’s the only one I ever saw a future with. Now? That future’s ash. Especially after that scene Justina made. Why the hell would she tell Chiara that I was infertile?
Yeah, it’s mostly true. I probably can’t have kids, and honestly, I didn’t want them much anyway. But I wasn’t going to tell Chiara. Not yet. My plan was to pretend to find out later, act heartbroken, and let her comfort me. I thought if she saw how devastated I was, she’d care more about us than the idea of kids.
Delusional? Maybe. But I believed it. And now it’s all shattered.
Even if the cheating didn’t kill any chance with her, the lie about the kids definitely would. Still, I had to try. She wasn’t just some ticket to success—she was the success. Even without her family’s influence, Chiara would dominate the business world. She already was.
I called her, again and again. Nothing. Then I tried her friends. They shut me down, hard. They knew I messed up bad. She wasn’t with any of them, so I figured she probably flew out last-minute to spend Christmas with her family. I kept trying, but eventually she blocked my number and every social I had.
Now I had to wait until the office reopened. Candice—no, Justina—was fuming because I was ignoring her. I apologized, told her to stay the night. I had to keep her sweet for just a bit longer. Chiara wasn’t coming back that night anyway. What more damage could I do?
She didn’t come back. Not that night. Not on Christmas either. Justina ended up staying, making up some excuse for her family and trying to cook the food Chiara had prepared. We ended up ordering takeout—thank God. Whatever Justina cooked looked like it belonged in a medical waste bin.
Another reminder that Chiara’s the full package. Beautiful, driven, and an incredible cook. That Christmas was the most miserable I’ve ever had. Justina tried playing happy couple, completely oblivious. I couldn’t even fake it. Even if Chiara never forgives me, I’d never choose Justina.
Being locked in an asylum sounds more appealing than a life with her. Conversation? Nonexistent. Interests? Shopping and filters. Her brain might as well be on airplane mode.
Boxing Day couldn’t come soon enough. When she finally left, I felt like I could breathe again. I needed the quiet to think. To plan.
Justina doesn’t believe Chiara is actually a Romaro. Says a “real” Romaro wouldn’t be working in the mailroom. Thinks she’s some pity-hire distant cousin. She can’t understand why someone rich would work so hard unless they had to.
But I knew. Chiara isn’t like the rest of us. She’s building her own legacy. The company she’s in now? Barely a few years old and already growing fast. She’s in every department, quietly running the whole damn show behind the scenes. I saw the emails—she’s the one calling the shots.
It’s like some episode of Undercover Boss. And I was too blind to see it.
My parents were disappointed she didn’t call over the holidays. Justina made sure they heard her voice instead, and I had to explain. They’re both furious at me now. They adored Chiara. My mother, especially—cheating hits too close to home for her. She’ll never look at me the same again.
Work’s closed until the new year. I lied about that too, told Chiara I had to go in so I could spend time with Justina. Another nail in the coffin.
But Chiara’s office reopened with a skeleton crew. I knew she’d be there—she doesn’t slack, not even during the holidays. So now, here I am, sitting in my car outside her building, hoping for a glimpse of her.
I already found out I’m blacklisted from entering. Banned from her floor. I’ll have to wait until she leaves.
And when she does... I’ll make one last attempt to fix what I destroyed.
- Writer
