Episode 7

Matteo narrates

I stormed out, seething with anger... How dare that old man set conditions for me to inherit what belonged to my mother?

The wretch... If I could, I'd kill you again!!

I get into my car and start it up… If he thinks he can prevent me from getting what my mother left me, he's sorely mistaken!

I head straight to the office and lock myself in my room... A tightness grips my chest as I recall my mother's words in her will.

She had wished for me to grow into an honorable man with a kind heart... But I've become this despicable being, she would hate me now!

Tears fall as my phone buzzes..

Msg on

Luna - All good with the trial... Happy client! How did the will reading go?

Matteo - I need you to come here immediately!

Luna - Uh oh... sounds serious!

Matteo - And it is... I need your help!

Luna - Ok.. I'll be there in 30 minutes!

Msg off

Deep breath... I have to find some loophole in this old man's ridiculous condition.

Thirty minutes later, Luna arrives and I open the door for her...

Luna - What happened?

Matteo - My mother left me a third of her entire fortune, an apartment, and a house on the hill...

Luna - The mansion?

Matteo - Yes... She loved that place. The best memories I have with her are there!

Luna - You said you didn't want the old man's portion... What's the catch?

Matteo - The damned old man made a stipulation to receive my mother's inheritance...

Luna - What is it?

Matteo - He shouldn't have done this!

Luna - By law... he can, you know this!

Matteo - It doesn't matter... We'll find a loophole to void this stipulation!

Luna - There isn't one, and as a lawyer, you know it well!

Matteo - There has to be, Luna!

I speak nervously, raising my voice...

Matteo - That cursed old man.

Luna - What's the condition?

Matteo - To get my mother's inheritance... I have to get married!

Luna - And what's the issue? You're engaged already, just tie the knot!

Matteo - It wouldn't be old Cole if he didn't complicate things... I can't marry Jade. According to him, my mother wouldn't have approved!

Luna - Wow!

Matteo - The bastard... He never really knew my mother and now presumes to know who she would approve of!

Luna - You knew her... Would she approve?

I think for a few seconds and close my eyes...

Matteo - No... My mother was sweet, simple, very joyous, affectionate... She wouldn't have liked Jade!

Luna - Don't you want to rethink this?

Matteo - Rethink what?

Luna - Your marriage to Jade!

Matteo - Luna.. I have to marry Jade, this contract is worth millions and if I break it with her, everything goes down the drain!

Luna - We'll figure something out and...

Matteo - No... That's not an option! I need to think of another way!

Luna - You only have two choices.. End things with Jade or forfeit what your mother left you!

Matteo - Not happening... There has to be a way!

Luna - Legally, no... If you want your mother's inheritance, you have to marry. How much time do you have?

Matteo - Thirty days!

Luna - That's it?

Matteo - He wanted to screw me over!

Luna - No way out, Matteo... You've got to find a woman to marry!

Matteo - He said it couldn't be Jade... He said nothing about you!

Luna - Me?

Matteo - Yes.. it's decided then!

Luna - It'll look far too staged, Matteo. In these scenarios, the marriage has to seem real... It involves keeping a lid on it. Everyone knows us, knows I'm a man to you, and you're a woman to me, haha.

Matteo - I don't give a damn... The notary didn't specify any of that, and…

Luna - I know you well enough to see you left that place fuming and didn't even let the notary finish, haha. You're a lawyer and aware of the rules... Ready to risk your mother's inheritance?

Matteo - No!

Luna - Then find a woman and get married!

My phone rings, it's a call from Jade...

Matteo - Damn!

Luna - Who is it?

Matteo - Jade...

Luna - Seems she has a sixth sense, huh? Haha.

She exits, laughing, and I answer...

Call on

Matteo - Hello?

Jade - Hi love... Just calling to say I'll spend the weekend with you!

I take a deep breath and say nothing...

Jade - Matteo?

Matteo - Hello

Jade - What's gotten into you?

Matteo - I'm not in the mood right now, Jade!

Jade - Can you stop being rude? I'm coming this weekend because your father died, and this is how you thank me?

Matteo - If you really cared, you'd know I don't care about the death of that old, foolish wretch... The good thing about our relationship is it's purely out of interest, and you're not clingy. So please, spare me your cheap drama and leave me in peace!

Call off

I hang up on her and toss my phone onto the couch...

Jade must be joking... This can't be happening!!!

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