Chapter 135: Chapter 135
REINA
The inside of the limousine felt too quiet for how fast my heart was beating.
Soft leather seats. Dim golden lights running along the edges. The low hum of the engine beneath us as the car glided smoothly through the city. Everything about it screamed luxury and calm.
I felt neither.
My hands rested in my lap, fingers twisting together before I forced them still. My purse laid on the space right beside me, close enough that I could feel its presence like a weight.
Inside it was the gift.
The wristwatch.
The one Domenico had helped me pick.
A small, expensive, perfectly wrapped reminder of something I was trying not to think about today of all days.
Three years.
Three years of marriage.
Three years of Paolo choosing me, loving me, standing by me even when I did not deserve it.
And here I was, sitting beside him with secrets that could destroy everything.
I swallowed and forced a breath.
"Are you going to tell me where we’re going now?" I asked, turning slightly toward him.
Paolo smiled immediately, that soft, familiar smile that always made his dimple show.
"No."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Not even a hint?"
"Not even a little one. Elisa warned me not to spoil the surprise."
"That’s so unfair."
"You’ll survive it, I promise." He said with a soft smile.
I huffed quietly, leaning back into the seat, but I couldn’t stop the small smile that pulled at my lips.
He watched me for a second longer, like he was memorizing the expression.
"You look beautiful," he said softly.
My chest tightened.
I looked down at my dress automatically, smoothing my hands over the fabric even though there was nothing wrong with it.
"Thank you," I murmured.
He reached for my hand then, like it was the most natural thing in the world. His fingers slipped between mine, warm and steady, grounding.
"I mean it," he added. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look this..." He paused, searching for the right word. "Happy."
The word hit harder than it should have.
Happy.
I forced a small laugh. "That’s because you won’t tell me where we’re going. I’m curious. This is my curious look."
He shook his head, amused.
"Liar."
I glanced at him, heart stuttering.
He wasn’t accusing. Not really. There was no suspicion in his eyes. Just that quiet understanding he always seemed to carry.
Still, I looked away first.
His thumb started brushing slowly over my knuckles, the same absent, comforting motion he always did.
"I missed you," he said after a moment, voice softer now.
The words settled between us gently.
"I know you might not believe it," he continued, "but I need you to understand something."
I turned back to him.
His gaze was steady. Warm. Completely focused on me.
"I don’t like being away from you," he said. "Not anymore. It doesn’t sit right with me."
Guilt twisted sharply in my chest.
"Paolo..."
"I mean it," he went on. "Every hour I was gone, I kept thinking about you. Wondering if you were okay. If you were safe. If you needed me and I wasn’t there."
My throat tightened.
I didn’t deserve this.
"I’m here now," he said quietly. "And I’m not going anywhere again unless I absolutely have to. I don’t want to give you any reason to doubt my love for you."
I squeezed his hand without thinking.
"I’m glad you’re here," I said.
And that part was true.
Painfully true.
He smiled at me like I had just given him everything he needed.
"Good," he said.
The limousine slowed slightly, then turned.
I felt it before I saw anything.
The faint shift in motion. The subtle change in the air.
Paolo leaned closer, his shoulder brushing mine.
"We’re almost there."
My stomach fluttered.
"Paolo..."
"Relax," he murmured. "Trust me."
The car came to a smooth stop.
Before I could say anything else, the door opened.
Cool air rushed in.
Paolo stepped out first, then turned back, holding out his hand for me.
"Come on."
I placed my hand in his and let him guide me out.
The sight in front of me made my breath catch.
A yacht.
No.
Not just a yacht.
A floating dream.
Lights draped across its railings like stars brought down to the water. Soft music drifted through the air. The gentle sway of the ocean reflected every golden light back up, making everything shimmer.
I turned to him slowly.
"Paolo..."
He looked almost nervous now, which surprised me.
"You like it?"
"Like it?" I let out a soft breath. "It’s... it’s beautiful."
Relief softened his expression instantly.
"Good."
"Elisa did this?"
"She planned most of it," he admitted. "I just made sure everything worked perfectly in the end."
I shook my head, still taking it all in.
"It’s perfect."
He smiled and took my hand again, leading me toward the yacht.
"Wait until you see the inside."
We stepped aboard together.
Everything was set.
A table for two near the edge, candles flickering softly in the night air. Rose petals scattered lightly across the floor. A quiet band playing somewhere nearby, just loud enough to fill the silence without overwhelming it.
It felt like something out of a dream.
Something I didn’t belong in.
Paolo pulled my chair out for me, waiting until I sat before taking his own seat across from me.
He didn’t look away.
Not even once.
"You okay?" he asked.
I nodded quickly. "Yes. I’m just... overwhelmed."
"Good overwhelmed or bad overwhelmed?"
"Good."
He smiled, satisfied with that answer.
Dinner came and went in soft conversation.
Nothing heavy.
Nothing painful.
Just small things. Memories. Laughter. The way he kept reaching for my hand across the table like he needed to remind himself I was really there.
At some point, the music shifted.
Slower now.
Softer.
Paolo stood and held out his hand.
"Dance with me."
My heart skipped.
"Right here?"
"Right here."
I hesitated for half a second.
Then I took his hand.
He pulled me gently to my feet and into him, one hand settling at my waist, the other holding mine.
We moved slowly.
No rush.
Just the soft sway of the music and the ocean beneath us.
I rested my head lightly against his chest.
His heartbeat was steady.
Strong.
Real.
"I love you," he murmured above me.
The words hit deeper than anything else that night.
Guilt rose fast and sharp, tightening around my ribs.
I closed my eyes briefly.
"I love you too," I whispered.
The lie tasted like truth.
Or maybe the truth just hurt more now.
We stayed like that for a long time.
Dancing.
Holding each other.
Pretending nothing else existed.
Eventually, I pulled back slightly.
"I have something for you."
His brows lifted. "You didn’t have to get me anything."
"I wanted to."
I stepped away and reached for my bag, my fingers brushing against the wrapped box inside.
For a second, I hesitated.
Then I took it out and handed it to him.
"Happy anniversary."
He looked at the gift, then at me, something soft flickering across his face.
"You really didn’t have to."
"Just open it."
He did.
Carefully. Like it mattered.
The paper came away slowly, revealing the box beneath.
He opened it.
The watch caught the light immediately.
Simple. Elegant. Perfect.
For him.
For a moment, he just stared at it.
Then he looked up at me.
"Reina..."
"Do you like it?" I asked quietly.
"I love it."
The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache.
"It’s perfect," he added.
He stood and stepped closer, slipping the watch onto his wrist without hesitation.
"It suits you," I said softly.
He smiled.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
He reached for me again, pulling me back into him.
"Thank you," he murmured.
I nodded against his chest, unable to say anything else.
Because all I could think about was where that gift had come from.
And how much he didn’t know.
The music continued.
The lights shimmered.
The night wrapped around us like nothing could touch it.
But inside me, the guilt only grew heavier.
And no matter how perfect everything felt, I couldn’t shake the quiet, terrifying truth.
This moment was too beautiful to last.
