Sweet Betrayal

Chapter 22

Chapter 22: A Glimpse of Peace

Days passed quietly in the grand villa. Though Lorenzo remained busy with business affairs and meetings, something had changed. Each morning before leaving, he would lean in, kiss Shanaya softly on the forehead or cheek, and whisper, “Take care, bella.” Every time, it made her heart skip. She’d turn red, mumble a reply, and watch him walk away with a small smile tugging at her lips.

One morning, he left a note on her breakfast tray.

“Wear something nice. We’re going out. – L”

Shanaya blinked in surprise and glanced at the clock. She quickly picked out a delicate floral corset dress with thin spaghetti straps and paired it with soft pink heels. Her hair curled softly over her shoulders as she stepped out to find Lorenzo’s assistant already waiting.

They drove for an hour until the city turned into fields of rolling green and golden sunshine. The car pulled into a quaint countryside Italian restaurant, covered in vines and flowers, the smell of fresh basil and tomatoes dancing in the air.

Lorenzo was already there, waiting outside the car with his sleeves rolled up and sunglasses on. When he saw her, his eyes swept over her figure slowly, appreciatively.

“You look… breathtaking,” he said, offering his hand.

Shanaya looked away shyly but took it.

The restaurant owner, an older woman named Mamma Rosetta, welcomed them warmly with kisses on the cheeks. She chatted animatedly in Italian before turning to Shanaya. “You must be the wife! Ah, Lorenzo was always a good boy, but never brought anyone here before. You are special.”

Shanaya looked at Lorenzo, who simply smiled and pulled out her chair.

Lunch was delicious—handmade pasta, warm bread, and fresh cheese. Between sips of wine and laughter, Shanaya saw a new side of him. He listened, shared childhood stories, even joked about how he once fell into a river trying to impress a girl.

After lunch, he surprised her again.

He took her to a quiet neighborhood and stopped in front of a modest house.

“Where are we?” Shanaya asked.

He smiled. “Go in.”

Inside, her uncle and auntie were waiting. Shanaya gasped and ran into their arms. Matteo squealed with joy, clinging to her as she kissed his cheeks.

Lorenzo stood back, watching the warmth, the love, the way Shanaya’s eyes lit up. She was laughing freely, and it was a sound he hadn’t heard in a long time.

Before they left, he gently took her hand and kissed the back of it, locking eyes with her.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For this.”

On the way home, Shanaya dozed off, her head resting against his shoulder. Lorenzo didn’t move. He wrapped his arm around her and held her close, brushing a kiss to the top of her head.

When they reached home, she was still asleep. He carried her in his arms gently, as if afraid to wake her, and placed her softly on the bed.

He stayed beside her, watching her sleep in peace—for once, without fear in her eyes.