Chapter 10

The evening breeze blew gently.

After stepping out of the restaurant, Rome softly asked Sofia again if she was okay. Forcing a smile, she told him not to worry.

Rome rubbed his brow. He felt as though he had paid too little attention to his wife. Her family dared to publicly humiliate her. “Have they always treated you like this?”

Sofia responded calmly, “Yeah, but I’ve gotten used to it. Once they vent, they’re fine.” In her world, she believed it was better to avoid conflict when possible.

“You're a part of the Beckett family now. There’s no need to fear them anymore. Enduring it will only make them push further.” Rome’s tone carried the weight of his business acumen. In the business world, showing any sign of weakness meant opponents would immediately pounce and tear you apart.

Sofia nodded in his embrace, but deep down, she was uncertain. What if one day she and Rome got divorced?

Rome gently patted her and gestured for her to get in the car.

Sofia had originally planned to ask Rome for a favor tonight, but after what happened, she didn’t want to burden him with more troubles. Before getting into the car, Rome made a quick phone call and only then joined her.

Sofia still regretted missing out on dessert. The Piedmontese-Style Lunanut Cake at that restaurant was famous. Even if there were another chance, she wouldn’t dare return to that restaurant, not wanting to bump into her “family” again.

Noticing her sadness, Rome, while waiting at a red light, lightly tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. He usually didn’t ask, but tonight, he made an exception. “What’s on your mind?”

“Hm? I was just thinking we didn’t get to finish dessert,” Sofia answered Rome honestly, deciding to be more open with him.

Rome thought for a moment, quickly sent a message, and then resumed driving.

It was a short twenty-minute drive home. Sofia was about to head upstairs when Rome called her back, asking her to wait in the living room. She thought Rome had something to say, but a few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Sofia wondered who could be visiting so late until she saw Rome holding a large box with the name of the restaurant they had just eaten at printed on it!

Surprised, Sofia ran over, her eyes glued to the box in his hands, eager to open it.

In Rome’s eyes, Sofia was like a little bird fluttering with excitement. He placed the sizable box on the kitchen island and carefully unwrapped it.

Inside were five different types of desserts, two of each!

“Wow…” Sofia stared at the cakes for a moment before looking up at Rome. Her previously low spirits shot to the sky, and it felt like fireworks were exploding in her heart.

“I didn’t know which one you’d like, so I got them all,” Rome said, a little embarrassed by her gaze. He casually pressed a fist to his lips, trying to play it off.

“I’m so happy! I thought I wouldn’t get to eat them again!” Sofia rushed to grab a fork.

Rome felt like he was acting a bit out of character today, doing things he normally wouldn’t. But then again, she had been through so much tonight. He convinced himself it was a good move to avoid giving his grandfather any ammunition against him.

“Then, I won’t hold back…” She stabbed her fork into the Hazelnut Cake for the first bite. “Mmm… it’s really delicious! I’m telling you, this is their signature！”

Her mood improved, and she started to chatter more.

Just as she was about to take a second bite, she noticed Rome’s gaze, eyes slightly curved in amusement, watching her quietly. She asked, “Do you want to try some?”

Rome hesitated. He wasn’t particularly fond of sweets.

Seeing that he wasn’t moving, Sofia thought, Since he’s been so caring today, it wouldn’t be too much to feed him a bite, right? She held the cake near his mouth, and Rome blinked in surprise. Under Sofia’s eager, expectant gaze, he slightly opened his mouth and took a bite.

The rich taste of chocolate and the fragrance of Lunanuts combined perfectly, with the dark chocolate balancing the sweetness of the cake just right.

“Good, right?”

“Not too bad,” Rome nodded, watching as Sofia used the same fork that had just fed him to scoop another bite for herself.

Watching her lick the cream from the corner of her lips so casually made Rome’s throat tighten. Her kiss would probably be as sweet as that cream… He looked away, clenched his fists, and tried to suppress the heat rising within him.

“Do you want more?” Sofia asked. She couldn’t eat much more and had already finished most of that slice.

“No, I’ll head upstairs.” His voice was unusually hoarse.

“Alright, good night then.”

Rome felt like Sofia had some sort of power over him, making his self-control crumble in front of her. The same thing had happened in the car before. He rushed to the bathroom, trying to wash away the urges.

She thought the incident at the restaurant was already behind her until her friend, Luna, called.

Luna’s first words were, “Oh my God, I’ve got some great news!”

“What is it? Did you finally get that guy you’ve been after?”

“Huh? No, that’s not it. This is way better.”

“Then spill.”

Luna didn’t drag it out. “Remember a few days ago you told me you got blocked by Ruby at that Italian restaurant? Guess what, she went back with her friends yesterday, and they refused to let her in! She was trying to say she was some VIP customer, but they only gave her a cold face. I bet her face turned all red and green from embarrassment. Oh man, finally someone put her in her place! I’m dying laughing over here.”

Sofia’s first reaction was sympathy. That’s so harsh; she must’ve lost face in front of her friends. And Ruby’s all about her image. But deep down, she couldn’t deny it was somewhat satisfying. Ruby’s outburst must’ve bothered many diners, and it was pretty gutsy of the restaurant not to tolerate her behavior just because she was a VIP.

“Could it be…”

Sofia knew what Luna was thinking. “Don’t even guess. No way would Rome bother with something like that.”

What was certain was that her stepmother and sister wouldn’t show up at that restaurant again. Now she wouldn’t have to worry about running into them!