Chapter 11
The thought of Aurelia just vanishing from his life tore a jagged hole in Luigi’s chest.
Loss, rage, and something toxic he couldn’t name were consuming him from the inside out. His hands were shaking as he stared at his phone.
As he was about to call Aurelia for the twenty eighth fucking time, Rosalia materialized beside him like she’d been waiting in the shadows.
“Luigi!” Her voice was sickeningly sweet. “I got into Boston College! We’ll be in the same city for four years-I really hope you’ll take care of me.”
Seeing her face made Luigi’s stomach twist as he remembered her lies about the family vacation.
“Hold up,” his voice came out sharper than intended. “Didn’t you say your whole family went to Bali? How the hell did Aurelia end up at some militar school instead?”
The timeline was making his head spin. All this time he’d been picturing Aurelia lounging on tropical beaches while ignoring his calls.
He’d never imagined she’d just… disappeared into thin air.
And if Aurelia hadn’t gone to Bali, why had Rosalia made it sound like a family trip?
Rosalia’s smile flickered for a microsecond before she recovered. “Oh, the Bali thing was a contest prize I won at the mall. Only three tickets, so it was ust me and my parents.”
.uigi’s eyes narrowed. “Why didn’t your parents just buy another ticket so she could come?”
osalia’s expression cracked, her face crumpling into practiced vulnerability.
That’s exactly what I told them to do! But Aurelia said she didn’t want to come-that she had her own mysterious plans.”
ler voice turned bitter. “I had no idea she meant abandoning her family to run off to some government program. Something this massive and she ouldn’t even tell us? It’s like we meant nothing to her.”
omething felt wrong about this whole story, but Luigi’s brain was too scrambled to figure out what.
osalia stepped closer, studying his face with calculating eyes. “Why are you so obsessed with what my sister’s doing?”
uigi forced his expression to stay neutral even though he felt like screaming. “She’s the only person from our school to get into that program. Just
urious.”
Mm.” Rosalia moved even closer, batting her eyelashes as she gazed up at him. “Luigi, I’ve been thinking about everything you said to me, ecided to give us a chance. I want to be your girlfriend.”
…What?” Luigi felt like he was having an out-of-body experience.
and I’ve
osalia’s face immediately shifted to wounded confusion. “At the graduation party, you told me you had feelings for me. Are you seriously backing out
ow?”
uigi’s memory sluggishly caught up, and something cold and vindictive sparked in his chest.
Right. Yeah, absolutely.” The words came out harder than he’d intended. “Let me come over this weekend and meet your parents.”
f Aurelia thought she could just ghost him and run off to play soldier, then fuck her. He’d date her precious sister and make sure she found out about
When the news got back to her, she’d realize what a massive mistake she’d made leaving him behind.
Plus, he wanted to see the house where Aurelia had grown up. Maybe find some clues about why she’d cut him out so completely.
Rosalia looked genuinely surprised by how fast he was moving. “Wow, okay… we literally just became official five seconds ago. Meeting the parents seems a little intense?”
Chapter 11
Even though she’d been plotting this moment for months, the reality felt overwhelming.
Luigi’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I believe in doing things right. Making it official with your family, being transparent about our relationship. We’re adults-we can be serious about this.”
His voice took on an edge. “Besides, I want to see where you grew up. Learn everything about you. Figure out all the ways you’re different from your
sister.”
Rosalia giggled, but there was something sharp underneath it. “Trust me, Aurelia and I are polar opposites. My parents always say we’re like night and day.”
They made plans for the weekend, and Rosalia felt a surge of triumph mixed with anxiety.
When Luigi showed up with expensive wine and flowers, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were still skeptical about their daughter bringing home a boyfriend.
“Rosalia, you can’t just spring some boy on us like this! What will people think? You should be focusing on your studies, not boys.”
Rosalia’s patience snapped as she launched into her defense.
‘Mom, Dad, you’re being ridiculous! Luigi’s family owns half the businesses in town-they literally funded our school’s new athletic center!”
Her voice got more frantic. “This is my future we’re talking about! When we go to Boston together, I’ll lock this down. After graduation we’ll get married and I’ll never have to work some soul-crushing job. Isn’t that what you want for me?”
Both parents looked alarmed. “Rosalia, you’re eighteen! Why are you talking about marriage?”
Rosalia’s eyes flashed with desperation and ambition. “Because I’m not stupid like Aurelia! I’m not going to waste my time on some fantasy military career when I could have everything handed to me!”
She wasn’t about to let the best thing that ever happened to her slip away.
