Chapter 5: A Question

• “Well, I’ve already instructed your assistant to move your things back from Rome. You don’t have to go back there,” Mateo said casually, catching Miracle completely off guard.
• “You moved my things? What right do you have to touch my belongings in Rome without my consent?!” Miracle exclaimed, her gaze sharpening as her jaw tightened.
• Mateo ignored her outburst, choosing instead to lean back in his chair and draw on his cigarette. “Why are you angry? I did you a favor. I helped you move to Milan. Besides, it wasn’t entirely my idea; your father told me to have my people handle it immediately. It’s really not a big deal.”
• Mateo exhaled a cloud of smoke before picking up the wine bottle. He poured it into a small shot glass and took a slow, deliberate sip.
• Miracle growled. She glared at Mateo, who looked entirely too relaxed and innocent for her liking. She cursed him silently. She should have guessed her father was behind this, but she hadn’t expected them to move so fast.
• She had been too slow. She could have calmed her mind a bit if she had returned to Rome. Getting married was something she had never expected in her life. Not that she didn’t want to, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. That’s why she had been eager to ease her mind. But if things were like this, what could she do? Miracle caught her breath and tried to calm the anger inside her. It was useless to stay angry—everything had already happened.
• “You really are an arrogant prick. Everything the media says about you is absolute b*llsh*t. You’re the most annoying man I’ve ever met. I hate you.”
• Then she got off the desk, grabbed her bag, and headed toward the door, ready to leave Mateo’s office.
• “So, you have been following me in the news?” A faint smile touched Mateo’s lips at her admission. He watched her with an intimidating, knowing gaze. “Or perhaps you replaced your twin sister because you secretly wanted to marry me?” he added with a sarcastic edge.
• Miracle froze in her tracks. She spun around, her eyes cold as ice. “I only saw the news by accident! You are so delusional!”
• “Delusional?” Mateo stood and walked toward her. “If you didn’t like me, you wouldn’t have bothered looking at the headlines. But it seems you’ve been paying quite close attention. It really does look like you were eager to take Selena’s place.” He smirked.
• Miracle snorted in disgust. This man was unbelievably full of himself. She was certain he was the most irritating person she had ever encountered. She lifted her chin, her voice sharp. “Who do you think you are? You’re so full of yourself! Listen to me carefully, Mateo De Luca: I have never liked you—not even a little. I replaced Selena to save my family’s reputation—that’s it. I’m going home. Think whatever you want; I don’t care!”
• Without another word, she marched out of the office, her face flushed with irritation. She had never had feelings for him; her knowledge of him from the news truly had been accidental. If they hadn’t been in his place of business, she might have actually kicked him. But Miracle refused to make a scene in his company.
• Mateo smirked as she disappeared from view. He could still see her annoyed expression in his mind. He sat back down and leaned against his chair. He’d only teased her because of the news comment, but her explosive response was entertaining. To him, being married made no difference in his life.
• A knock sounded at the door, and Mateo exhaled harshly at the disturbance. Annoyed, he still allowed the person to enter.
• “Mr. Mateo,” Gustav said, bowing his head as he approached.
• “What is it now?” Mateo asked coldly, staring intently at his assistant.
• “Sir, are you planning to visit Miss Heera today?” Gustav asked cautiously.
• The question silenced Mateo instantly. His expression shifted; his eyes, once cold, were now filled with a mixture of longing and deep sorrow. His gaze turned distant.
• “I haven’t visited Heera in a long time. Between the wedding and the transition, I... I forgot about her. She must be so resentful of me for ignoring her.” Mateo paused, letting out a rough breath. “If only Miracle hadn’t taken her sister’s place, I wouldn’t be trapped in this marriage.”
• “Sir, if I may... I believe Mrs. Miracle is the right woman for you,” Gustav ventured. “She was very independent in Rome. She established her own company without her father’s help and has an incredible academic record. With her achievements, she is a very worthy match for you, sir.”
• “I don’t care about her. Nothing about Miracle interests me in the slightest,” Mateo said, his face flat and cold. He was clearly unwilling to discuss his wife further.
• “But sir, she is your wife. Don’t you want to try and learn to love her?” Gustav asked carefully.
• “I could never love another woman,” Mateo replied, his voice sharpening. “There will only ever be one woman for me, and you know that well, Gustav. Now leave, and stop talking about Miracle. Our marriage is one of necessity. She is my wife in name, but she has no rights to my heart.”
• “I’m sorry, sir.” Gustav bowed and excused himself.
• Mateo leaned back and closed his tired eyes. He truly didn’t care for anything related to Miracle. His gaze then fell on a desk drawer that wasn’t quite closed. He pulled it open.
• A faint, genuine smile etched itself onto his lips as he looked at the picture frame inside. He picked it up and pressed a kiss to the glass. His heart softened instantly as he gazed at the woman in the photograph.