As they reentered the grand hall, the ambient hum of chatter and clinking glasses enveloped Natalia. The lavish party continued unbroken, guests drifting through the marble space like elegant phantoms, seemingly unaware of the emotional storm that had just swept through her life. Luca stayed close by her side, his hand resting gently on her lower back, offering both reassurance and possession in that one simple touch.
Natalia glanced up at him as they walked, catching the quiet strength in his profile. It was hard to reconcile the image of this powerful man, with his steely resolve, with the vulnerability he had shown her in the study moments before. His confession had felt so real, so unguarded, and it left her wondering if anyone else in this room had ever glimpsed that side of him.
As they moved deeper into the crowd, she couldn't help but feel eyes on them. Whispers floated on the edges of her hearing, the kind that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination or if people were truly watching her, speculating about what Luca Stefano, one of the wealthiest men in the room, was doing with a woman who had just been serving champagne only hours earlier.
"Don't worry about them," Luca murmured, leaning closer to her ear as if sensing her tension. "They can talk all they want. It won't change anything."
She forced a smile, trying to ignore the weight of so many glances. But despite Luca's reassurances, the self-doubt still crept in. She wasn't used to this kind of scrutiny, and while she could feel the pull of Luca's world, a part of her wondered if she'd ever truly fit here.
"Luca, are you sure about this?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the lively party. "I feel like I'm being stared at like I don't belong."
His hand tightened slightly on her back. "They'll get used to it. The more they see us together, the less it'll matter. Besides," he added with a slight smirk, "you've always belonged, even if they don't know it yet."
Before she could respond, a familiar voice broke through the crowd. "Luca, darling!"
Natalia tensed as a striking woman in a shimmering silver gown appeared before them. She was beautiful, with perfectly styled dark hair and sharp, calculating eyes. Natalia recognized her instantly—Vivienne Rossi, a notorious socialite and one of Luca's former flames, if the gossip columns were to be believed.
Vivienne's gaze flickered briefly over Natalia, her expression cool and dismissive, before she turned her full attention back to Luca. "You've been hiding all night," she said with a pout. "And now I see why." Her eyes darted toward Natalia again, a razor-sharp smile curving her lips. "Quite the surprise."
Luca's demeanor remained calm, though Natalia could feel the slight shift in his posture, as if he were preparing for a confrontation. "Vivienne," he greeted her, his tone polite but distant. "I didn't realize you were attending."
She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh, you know me. I never miss a good party." Her eyes slid over Natalia once more, this time with a more pointed curiosity. "And who is this? You've certainly made an interesting choice for the evening."
Natalia's heart pounded, but she held her ground, lifting her chin slightly. Luca, ever the protector, stepped in before Vivienne could say anything more.
"This is Natalia," he said, his voice firm and unwavering. "She's with me."
The words hung in the air like a challenge, and Natalia could almost see the calculations running through Vivienne's mind. The other woman's smile didn't falter, but her eyes hardened just a fraction. "Well," Vivienne said smoothly, "I hope you enjoy your night together. It's always... fascinating to see how people's tastes evolve." She glanced at Luca one last time, her smile brittle, before sweeping away into the crowd.
Natalia exhaled, realizing she had been holding her breath. She turned to Luca, who was watching Vivienne's retreating figure with a hard expression. "Does that happen often?" she asked, trying to sound casual despite the knot of nerves in her stomach.
"More than I'd like," Luca admitted, his gaze softening as he looked back at her. "But don't let Vivienne get to you. She's just—"
"Protecting her territory?" Natalia finished for him, half-joking, half-serious.
Luca smiled, but there was something more in his eyes, something almost dangerous. "She doesn't have any territory to protect when it comes to me." He paused, studying her. "Are you okay?"
Natalia nodded, though she wasn't sure she believed it herself. The encounter with Vivienne had rattled her more than she wanted to admit. She was stepping into Luca's world, but she wasn't naive enough to think that meant she'd be welcomed. People like Vivienne Rossi had spent their entire lives playing games of power and position, and Natalia knew she was woefully unprepared for that.
Before she could dwell on it further, Luca gently took her hand, pulling her toward a quieter corner of the room. "I won't let them tear you down, Natalia," he said softly, his voice filled with conviction. "I brought you into this world because I believe in you. And I won't let anyone make you feel like you don't belong."
His words stirred something deep within her, but they also brought a flood of fear. Natalia wasn't sure if she was ready for the battle ahead. The scrutiny, the judgment—it was one thing to stand by Luca's side, but it was another to face the full force of his world. And with the mention of the Bloodthorne family earlier, the stakes seemed higher than just gossip and jealous ex-lovers.
"I don't know how to do this," she confessed, her voice breaking slightly. "I don't know how to be a part of your world."
Luca's grip on her hand tightened, his eyes locking onto hers with a fierce determination. "Then we'll figure it out together."
For the first time that evening, Natalia allowed herself to fully trust in Luca's words. Despite the chaos, despite the uncertainty, there was something undeniable about the connection between them. Maybe it wouldn't be easy, but standing here with him, she realized she wasn't as alone as she feared.
"Together," she whispered, her heart steadying. "We'll figure it out."
Luca smiled, a spark of something deeper flashing in his eyes. "Yes, we will."
And with that, Natalia knew there was no turning back. The world she had known was gone, replaced by something both thrilling and terrifying, but as long as Luca was beside her, she felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.