Chapter 13. The Woman Beside the King
587 Words
The De Luca Investors Gala became the biggest headline across Italy by midnight.
News channels, magazines, and social media exploded with one shocking announcement—
De Luca Holdings had officially secured an international partnership with the powerful Laurent Group from France and major investors across Europe.
The deal instantly pushed Adrian De Luca’s empire to become the number one billionaire company in Italy.
Even rival business tycoons were forced to acknowledge his dominance now.
“Adrian De Luca officially becomes Italy’s youngest and most powerful billionaire.”
“The De Luca empire continues expanding globally.”
“No businessman can compete with him anymore.”
Inside the ballroom, reporters surrounded Adrian endlessly while cameras flashed nonstop.
Beside him, Sofia smiled proudly like she owned the world.
And somehow…
Tonight wasn’t only about Adrian anymore.
Sofia had become famous too.
“The new face of Italy’s elite women…”
“Mrs. De Luca steals attention at the Investors Gala.”
“Beauty, elegance, and power.”
Women envied her luxurious life while brands and media companies already begged to work with her.
Sofia loved every second of it.
She held Adrian’s arm tightly while posing for the cameras like the perfect billionaire wife.
But Adrian remained cold throughout the entire event.
No smile.
No affection.
Nothing.
Even when Sofia leaned closer pretending intimacy for reporters, Adrian’s expression never changed.
Hours later, the gala finally ended.
Outside the hotel, luxury black cars waited beneath the flashing city lights.
Adrian entered the backseat silently while Sofia followed immediately beside him.
The atmosphere inside the car remained cold and quiet.
Sofia carefully looked at him.
“Tonight was amazing,” she smiled softly. “Everyone kept talking about us.”
No response.
Sofia’s smile faded slightly.
Since their wedding, Adrian barely touched her.
Barely spoke to her.
And worst of all—
He never once spent the night with her.
As the car continued through the streets of Milan, Adrian suddenly spoke to the driver coldly.
“Take Mrs. De Luca back to the mansion.”
Sofia’s eyes widened immediately.
“What about you?”
“I’m going elsewhere.”
Again.
Always elsewhere.
Sofia clenched her fingers tightly.
“Adrian…” she whispered softly while moving closer to him. “Can’t I come with you tonight?”
Adrian’s sharp gaze slowly turned toward her.
Cold.
Unreadable.
“No.”
The single word instantly hurt her pride.
“But I’m your wife now.”
“And?”
Sofia froze slightly.
Adrian looked away without emotion.
“I have work.”
That was always his excuse.
Work.
Meetings.
Business.
Anything except her.
Sofia forced herself not to cry out of frustration.
Every woman in Italy envied her marriage.
Yet none of them knew the painful truth.
Adrian De Luca treated her more like a responsibility than a wife.
The car soon stopped outside the De Luca mansion.
One of Adrian’s bodyguards stepped out immediately to open the door for Sofia.
She looked at Adrian one last time desperately.
“Will you at least come home tomorrow?”
Adrian didn’t answer.
That silence alone was enough.
Humiliated, Sofia slowly stepped out of the car while Adrian’s vehicle disappeared back into the night moments later.
Meanwhile, Adrian leaned back inside the dark car while staring silently through the window.
For some strange reason…
His thoughts drifted back again to a quiet girl with sad eyes standing outside the gala crowd earlier tonight.
And the more he tried forgetting her—
The more she haunted him.
- Writer
