He Scorned His Substitute Wife, Now He Begs Her Back novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: The Foundation Stage

The Benedetti Foundation gala filled a hotel ballroom with four hundred people in black, and Zia Nella walked into it in her church shoes.

"I've been to funerals with better lighting," she said.

Livia laughed, which she hadn't expected to do.

Mirella took her other arm, and the three of them went down the staircase into the room together.

Heads turned.

Everyone had seen the footage by now.

A path opened for them without anyone seeming to decide it.

Livia kept her eyes forward.

On the far side of the room, beneath the Foundation's banner, Aldo Benedetti stood in a tuxedo.

The gold pen showed in his breast pocket.

Tierney was beside him in cream silk, with her arm in a white sling.

She looked ill and brave, and she lifted her good hand to Livia in a small, forgiving wave.

Mirella said something under her breath that made Zia snort.

The speeches began at nine.

Aldo took the stage first, thanked the donors, and spoke warmly about scholarship students who had gone on to do great things.

Livia watched Tierney's face during that part.

It did not move.

"And now," Aldo said, "my son has asked for a few minutes. I am told he has something to sign, and something to say."

He stepped back from the microphone, and Luca walked out of the wings.

He wore the same black suit he had worn to Honesdale.

Zia had pressed it that morning, and had threatened him with the iron while she did it.

He did not carry a paper.

"I am going to say three things," Luca said, "and then I'll leave you to your dinner."

Somebody coughed.

"The first is that on Thursday night I put my wife down a flight of stairs. Most of you have watched it. I won't ask you to forgive me. I did it, and I did it because I wanted to believe a lie."

← Chapter 15 · All chapters · Chapter 17 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend