The Reluctant Husband [Chapter 1]

Late Afternoon | Chat Between Valentina & Alex

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

💬 Hey. Can we meet? It’s important.

Valentina Collins (FL)

💬 Sure, is everything okay? You’re making me nervous 😕

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

💬 Just meet me at Café Verona. 4 PM. Please.

Valentina Collins (FL)

💬 Okay, I will be there on time. See you.

Later at the café

Valentina Collins (FL)

📞 I’m here. Where are you?

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

📞 By the corner table.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*hangs up & walk towards him* What’s going on? You sounded serious.

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

*avoiding eye contact* Yeah, uh... there’s something we need to talk about.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*sits down, worried* Okay... what is it?

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

*sighs heavily* Look, I don’t know how to say this... but I’ve been thinking a lot. About us.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*blinks, surprised* Okay... and?

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

*deep breath* I can’t marry you, Valentina.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*pauses* What did you just say?

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

I don’t think this is going to work.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*leans forward, her voice unsteady*

Valentina Collins (FL)

The wedding is in a week, Alex. Our families have spent months planning this. How can you say this now?

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

*frustrated* I know the timing is terrible, but it’s better to call it off now than later.

Valentina Collins (FL)

...

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

I can’t marry someone I don’t feel a connection with.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*stunned* A connection? We’ve been engaged for over a year, Alex.

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

*leans back, defensive* I thought I could make it work, but I’ve realized... we’re just different, Valentina.

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

You’re... nice. Too nice. But I need someone who challenges me, someone who—

Valentina Collins (FL)

*interrupts sharply* Someone who what, Alex? Who isn’t me?

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

*firmly* Yes. I’m sorry, but I can’t lie to myself—or to you.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*stares at him, her voice trembling* Do you have any idea what this will do to me?

Valentina Collins (FL)

To my family? Everyone will be asking questions. Everyone will know you—

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

*cuts her off* I’m not trying to embarrass you, Valentina.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*looks at him in disbelief*

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

I just need to be honest with myself. It’s better this way.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*silent for a moment, breathing hard* Wow. I didn’t think you were this cruel.

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

*coldly* I’m not being cruel. I’m saving both of us from something that doesn’t feel right.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*stands abruptly, gripping the edge of the table for support* You’ve done enough, Alex.

Alex Salvatore (ML Younger Brother)

...

Valentina Collins (FL)

I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for. Goodbye.

She doesn’t wait for his response. Her legs feel like they might give out, but she forces herself to leave the café without looking back.

Early Evening | The Collins Family Home

Marissa Collins (FL Mom)

You’re home early. How was the meeting with Alex?

Valentina Collins (FL)

*quietly* He called off the wedding.

Marissa Collins (FL Mom)

*drops the tray she was holding* What?!

James Collins (FL Dad)

*walking in from the next room* Called off the wedding? What is she talking about?

Valentina Collins (FL)

*sits down slowly, staring at her hands* He said he doesn’t feel a connection. That we’re not... compatible.

James Collins (FL Dad)

*voice rising* That spoiled brat thinks he can humiliate us like this?

James Collins (FL Dad)

After everything we’ve done for his family?!

Marissa Collins (FL Mom)

*sits beside Valentina, taking her hand* Honey, are you okay? Did he say why?

Valentina Collins (FL)

*softly* He doesn’t think I’m enough for him.

James Collins (FL Dad)

*angrily pacing* This is ridiculous. I’ll call the Salvatores right now. This can’t end like this!

Valentina Collins (FL)

*shakes her head* Dad, please... don’t make it worse.

James Collins (FL Dad)

*ignores her* Worse? He’s already humiliated you and this family. Someone has to put him in his place.

Marissa Collins (FL Mom)

*calmly, but firmly* Stop shouting, James. You’re scaring her.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*presses her hand to her chest, struggling to keep calm* I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Please.

James Collins (FL Dad)

*sighs, lowering his voice* I’m sorry, sweetheart. I just... I can’t let this slide. His family will hear from me.

Marissa Collins (FL Mom)

Let her rest for now. We’ll deal with this tomorrow.

Valentina Collins (FL)

*stands, her voice faint* I think I just need to be alone.

She walks to her room, shutting the door quietly behind her.

The sound of her parents’ muffled voices fades as she leans against the door, her knees buckling beneath her.

Tears stream down her face as she sinks to the floor, her chest aching with betrayal and humiliation.

...

I sealed my fate with a man who doesn’t want me. I should feel regret… but all I feel is fear. Fear of the life. - Valentina Collins

Stay tuned for the next chapter! 📜✨