Chapter 9. One Night of Freedom
437 Words
The grand wedding reception continued late into the night.
Luxury lights decorated the massive De Luca mansion while wealthy guests danced, laughed, and celebrated the union of two powerful families.
Sofia remained glued to Adrian’s side proudly as reporters followed them everywhere.
“Mr. and Mrs. De Luca, look here!”
“Smile for the cameras!”
Sofia wrapped her arms around Adrian possessively while smiling brightly for every picture.
But Adrian looked completely uninterested.
Cold.
Emotionless.
Like none of this mattered to him.
Meanwhile Elena quietly served drinks among the guests while trying hard to ignore the pain crushing her heart.
Every smile between Adrian and Sofia felt like another wound.
Even worse…
Everyone around her looked happy except her.
“Elena!”
Bianca suddenly appeared angrily beside her.
“What are you doing standing there? Go bring more champagne!”
Elena nodded silently before rushing toward the kitchen.
The moment she entered, tears immediately burned her eyes.
She couldn’t do this anymore.
Watching Adrian belong to someone else while pretending nothing hurt was slowly destroying her.
Without thinking, Elena grabbed one of the champagne bottles and drank directly from it.
Then another glass.
And another.
By the time the reception ended, Elena’s cheeks were slightly red from alcohol while her vision became blurry.
Her phone suddenly rang.
“Nina…” Elena answered weakly.
“Where are you?” Nina asked excitedly. “Camilla and I are going out tonight. Come with us!”
“I don’t think I can…”
“Yes, you can,” Camilla interrupted loudly from the background. “You need to stop crying over that cold mafia man for one night.”
Elena laughed sadly.
Maybe they were right.
Maybe she needed one night away from all the pain.
An hour later, Elena stood nervously outside one of Milan’s biggest nightclubs with Nina and Camilla.
Loud music echoed everywhere while expensive cars filled the streets.
“This is my first time in a club,” Elena admitted softly.
Camilla grinned dramatically.
“Then tonight, we’re fixing your boring life.”
The girls entered together laughing.
Inside, colorful lights flashed across the crowded dance floor while music vibrated through the entire building.
For the first time in years…
Elena felt free.
Nina pulled her toward the dance floor while Camilla ordered drinks for them.
Soon Elena found herself laughing genuinely as the alcohol slowly erased her sadness.
But unknown to her…
On the VIP floor above the club, Adrian De Luca had just arrived for a private mafia meeting.
And the moment his cold eyes landed downstairs—
He saw her dancing.
- Writer
