Realisation

Matteo's POV

The moment she crashed into me, I knew my day had just gotten interesting.

I barely had time to react before she staggered back, her wide eyes locking onto mine like a deer caught in headlights. For a few seconds, she just stood there, her mouth slightly parted, completely mesmerized. And damn, if I wasn’t entertained by it.

I took my time studying her, letting my gaze drift over the delicate features, the way her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the faint flush creeping up her neck. She was cute in a way she probably didn’t even realize—completely unaware of the effect she had when she looked at someone like that.

I smirked, leaning in just slightly. “You okay there, princess?”

She blinked, as if snapping out of some spell, and quickly stepped back. Her cheeks were red, but she tried to play it off, crossing her arms over her chest.

I chuckled, low and deep. “You gonna keep staring, or should I be flattered?”

She scowled, but before she could come up with some sort of snappy response, the boutique doors swung open.

I didn’t even have to turn around to know who it was. The moment I heard that fake, overly friendly voice, my good mood soured.

“Matteo! What a pleasant surprise.”

Victor.

I finally looked away from the girl—Aria, I was guessing—and turned my attention to the man I despised. He strolled toward us with that slimy grin, his hands stuffed casually into the pockets of his expensive slacks. Everything about him reeked of pretense, from the perfectly styled hair to the way he always tried too hard to seem important.

I didn’t bother masking my reaction. My smirk dropped, and instead, I let my expression turn cold, my distaste evident.

Victor hesitated for a split second before clearing his throat. “I was actually just talking about you earlier.”

“Lucky me,” I drawled.

He chuckled awkwardly, pretending not to notice the tension. “Still as charming as ever, I see.”

I didn’t respond. I had no patience for him, and he damn well knew it.

Victor shifted, then plastered on another one of his fake smiles. “Listen, Matteo, I was hoping you’d reconsider coming to the wedding. It’s going to be quite the event.”

I arched a brow, unimpressed. “Not interested.”

Victor sighed dramatically, shaking his head like I was some rebellious child. “You always were difficult.” Then, as if he had just thought of something amusing, he added with a chuckle, “Though, if you don’t want to come for the family, at least stop by and throw your favorite stepbrother some cash, huh?”

Nobody laughed. Not me. Not Aria.

Victor’s grin faltered when he realized his joke had fallen flat, and he cleared his throat again before shifting gears.

“Ah, where are my manners?” He turned toward Aria, placing a hand on her shoulder like he had any right to. “Matteo, meet my lovely stepdaughter, Aria.”

Stepdaughter.

My eyes flicked to her, watching as she stood rigid beneath his touch. Her earlier flustered expression had been replaced by something more guarded, her lips pressed together as if she were holding something back.

Interesting.

Victor was still talking, saying something about how she was trying on bridesmaid dresses, but I barely heard him. Instead, I focused on her reaction, the way her fingers twitched slightly, how she didn’t look at him when he spoke. There was something there. Something she wasn’t saying.

I tilted my head slightly, smirking as I reached out and extended a hand.

“Hello, Aria,” I said smoothly, watching her eyes widen as she hesitantly placed her hand in mine. “I suppose that makes me your stepuncle.”

Her mouth fell open slightly, clearly thrown off by the comment.

Victor forced out a laugh, trying to brush it off. “Oh, Matteo, always the jokester.”

But I wasn’t joking. Not really. And Aria knew it.

Her hand was warm in mine, her grip not as firm as she probably wanted it to be. I held on for just a second longer than necessary before finally letting go.

She was still staring at me, and this time, I knew exactly what was running through her mind. Who the hell was this guy?

Good. I wanted her wondering.

I took a small step back, sliding my hands into my pockets. “Well, Victor, as much as I’d love to continue this heartwarming family reunion, I have places to be.”

Victor opened his mouth, probably to try one last time to persuade me, but I was already turning away.

Before I walked off, though, I cast one last glance at Aria.

She was still standing there, still watching me. And I didn’t miss the way her lips parted just slightly, like she had something to say but wasn’t sure if she should.

I smirked.

Interesting, indeed.

As I walked toward my car, I could still feel her eyes on me, and for the first time in a long while, I found myself actually looking forward to something.

This wedding might not be such a waste of time after all.