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“You came here on a fucking date with Luca?!”
Chapter 20 The Third Wheel
Anya shook her head at once, trying to calm him down. “I didn’t! Stop it.”
But the manager kept going, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing at their table. “And here’s the wine you enjoyed last time—1963 Charlotte. You had mentioned how much you enjoyed its taste and texture. Mr. Stanson also instructed us to bring this wine every time you come here, whether alone or with friends. Of course, the bill will be covered by him."
The completely oblivious manager glanced between a fuming Dante and a visibly stunned Anya. With a bright smile and a small nod, he muttered, “I’ll send someone to take your order now,” and quickly walked away.
Anya’s eyes slowly shifted back to Dante, but he was already on his feet. The chair behind him toppled with a loud bang, the crash slicing through the restaurant like a gunshot.
“You even came here on a fuckingdatewith Luca?!” Dante’s voice was dangerously quiet, his anger barely contained.
“It wasn’t a date!”
"We’re at this point in our relationship, trying to talk things out, and I still have to hear things like this? Do you really think I’mjust another one of your men you can twist around your little finger whenever you want?"
Anya let out a frustrated groan, pushing back her chair and marching over to him. Her hands landed firmly on his shoulders as she forced him back into his seat, and then went back to hers.
"The manager said I came here with Luca," she snapped. “He didn’t say it was a date or that we were in a relationship. Did he?!”
Dante scoffed bitterly. “Why does that even matter? What difference does it make, Anya? You came here with him, you sat together, and even the damn restaurant staff knows you two well enough to bring your favorite food and wine without you even asking.”
His voice rose, thick with disbelief and something deeper—something raw and wounded. “You seriously expect me to believe that he feelsnothingfor you? After hearing how that bastard takes care of you, remembers every little thing about you? He acts closer to you than I’ve ever been allowed to. So tell me—who is your boyfriend here? Him or me?”
He leaned closer, eyes locked on hers. “Because friends don’t do things like this for each other, Anya. Not unless they’re something more.”
Anya’s breath hitched. Her heart pounded in her chest like it was breaking free. She slowly pulled her hands back, retreating a step, trying to keep her thoughts from spiraling. It felt like every word was pushing her further into a corner.
This is falling apart.
Her mind raced, panic bubbling beneath the surface. The harder she tried to explain, the more tangled everything became. ‘He’sgetting so suspicious about Luca and me now. I should just tell him the truth, confess I’m Annie. About Luca… about everything.’
She took a steadying breath. “Alright, look. I’m not—"
He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping harshly against the floor. His face darkened even further. He looked like he was trying to hold himself together, but barely succeeding.
“It’s fine,” he said coldly. “I’m done.”
He turned sharply, voice low and shaking with barely-suppressed rage. “I don’t care anymore.”
Anya watched him in shock, her heart sinking as she saw him start to storm off.
And then something inside her snapped.
“You brought me here!” she shouted.
Her voice rang through the restaurant, stopping him in his tracks. Slowly, he turned around to face her.
Her fists were clenched at her sides, and for the first time, Dante saw her angry. Truly angry. Gone was the calm, composed woman he knew—now, her eyes blazed with fury.
“You brought me here!” she repeated, stepping out from behind the table. “You said you wanted to talk. Youdraggedme here. And now that I’m trying to explain, you’re just walking away?”
Her voice trembled. “Dante Kingsley, I amlosingmy fucking patience. You want answers? Then sit down and let me speak. But don’t you dare act like you didn’t drag me into this conversation only to storm off when things get uncomfortable.”
Dante’s jaw clenched, his teeth grinding together. He took a furious step forward, hand rising as if to point at her—then stopped himself. His chest rose and fell with ragged breaths.
“Stay? For what?” he snarled, his voice laced with venom. “To hear how you and your fucking Luca are out here playing a happy fucking family? About your little moments together? About how everyone thinks you two are so damn perfect?”