Chapter 19: Shattered Roots
Luca froze. Slowly, he lowered the tablet and removed his glasses. His dark eyes met hers—calmer now, but unreadable.
"Hmm," he replied, voice flat but heavy.
Janet looked down again. "Why didn't they tell me?" she asked, voice cracking.
"They never wanted you," Luca said. "They only took you in after your real parents died. For insurance. For pity. They hated raising you."
Her hands curled into fists beneath the table. The sting of betrayal spread across her chest.
"They made you believe they loved you," he continued, sharper now, bitterness seeping into his tone. "But it was an act. I watched it for years. The way they talked behind your back. The way they resented your beauty, your light. You reminded them of everything they weren't."
Janet's eyes welled up. She blinked quickly, forcing the tears back. "Then why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Because I knew it would break you," he said softly. "And I couldn't let that happen—not yet. Not until you were strong enough to know the truth."
She turned away from him, fighting the lump in her throat.
Luca leaned in, his voice raw and low. "I don't regret anything I did, Janet. Right or wrong, I did it all—for you."
They said nothing more.
But the truth now sat between them, louder than silence.