One Phone Call, and They All Regretted It

I was the second-to-last person to find out my husband was sleeping with my best friend. Our mutual friends were all betting on whether I'd leave him. "Rachel won't divorce him. Luca makes too much money!" "If you ask me, Rachel's just too spineless. Otherwise, why would Luca stray?" "Hey, Luca, say something—is your wife threatening divorce?" My dear best friend was sitting on Luca's lap, smiling as she kissed him. "I don't think Rachel will divorce. She's a parasite. She wouldn't dare." Luca raised an eyebrow, stubbed out his cigar, and suddenly pulled her into a deep kiss. I stood right outside the door, shaking. It hit me—they'd deliberately called me over. They wanted to see my reaction. But I was even more spineless than they thought. I didn't even dare go in. I pulled out my phone and dialed my best friend's husband. "Sarah's drunk. She's at the Corsica Club. Come get her." Sarah's husband, Enzo Scala, had done time for assault. He should be braver than me. "Who's she drinking with?" Enzo's voice was cold. I answered immediately: "Friends. Some guys from the family. Hands all over her. You better hurry." Enzo said okay and that he'd be right there. I hung up and turned to leave. Sarah had once told me smugly: "Enzo looks like a pushover, but he almost killed a man for me once." "After that, he started carrying a gun everywhere, just in case someone messed with me again." I'd just reached the club entrance when my phone rang. It was Luca. His tone was lazy. "You're here, aren't you?" I parted my lips but said nothing. He continued, "Waiter said you stood outside listening for a while. You heard everything?" His voice was gentle. To me, it was cruel. I said softly, "Mm." Luca laughed. "Spineless." Yeah. Everyone knew I was spineless. Since school, I'd only ever followed behind Luca. Without him, I might not have graduated. "No way. You won't even come in?" "Hiding your head in the sand is just pathetic." People around were egging him on, laughing without shame. Then Sarah grabbed the phone, grinning: "If we'd known you were this scared of losing him, we wouldn't have bothered hiding it." "But doing it behind your back—so thrilling." "I tasted your man for you. He's good. I'll be keeping him." "Sarah, keep going and she'll cry." "Luca, aren't you gonna comfort her?" As soon as Sarah finished, someone else jumped in. This time, Luca spoke seriously: "Enough. If she cries, I'll have to comfort her again." "Rachel's not like you. She's easier to handle. Don't bully her." He took back the phone, his voice clearer. "Where are you? The bathroom? I'll come find you. Hard to get a cab here." I looked toward the hallway. He stood there with the phone raised, froze, then hung up when he saw me. Luca's expression was satisfied. Almost enjoyably cruel. He walked over and ruffled my hair. "She's different from you. You're Mrs. Moretti. Why are you crying?" "Relax. I'm not divorcing you." His tone was condescending. Like petting a dog. Then Sarah stumbled out, holding her head. She staggered right into Luca. He wrapped an arm around her waist immediately, palm against her bare skin. Sarah leaned into his chest and glanced at me. "Luca, my head hurts. They were pouring drinks down my throat." "Take me home. Rachel knows now anyway. No point hiding." "She won't mind, right?" She looked right at me when she said it. Pure provocation. My phone buzzed. Enzo, asking for the club address. I sent him the location.