What We Left Unsaid

Chapter 7

Luca's apartment was a testament to the success he'd built over the years—a sprawling space filled with modern, high-end furnishings. The kind of place that screamed luxury, with large windows that bathed the space in natural light and offered breathtaking views of the city. Naia glanced around, feeling somewhat out of place, though she tried her best to conceal it. It wasn't that Luca flaunted his wealth; it was simply that his life now seemed miles away from the simpler days they had once shared.

Sofia had immediately made herself at home, wandering from one end of the apartment to the other, eyes wide with curiosity. Naia watched her with a slight smile, her heart swelling at the sight of how easily her daughter seemed to fit into Luca's life. But the tension still sat like a heavy weight between her and Luca, a residue left over from their fight at the beach. They were trying, both of them, but the air between them was thick with unsaid words and unfinished thoughts.

"So, what do you think of the place?" Luca asked, watching Naia carefully as she stood by the window, arms crossed over her chest.

Naia turned, offering a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's... big. You've done well for yourself."

There was a silence that lingered, neither of them knowing quite how to bridge the awkwardness still gnawing at them. They hadn't fully resolved anything. The beach confrontation still stung—Naia had felt raw from Luca's frustration, and Luca seemed unsure how to move forward.

Sofia suddenly interrupted the silence, running into the room and flinging her arms around Luca's waist. "Papa, your house is so big! I love it."

Luca froze, his eyes darting toward Naia, searching her face for any sign of disapproval. But Naia only smiled, a bittersweet expression crossing her features. She hadn't explained everything to Sofia yet, and yet here was Sofia, calling him Papa with all the innocence and certainty of a child. It wasn't something they'd discussed, but Sofia, in her own quiet wisdom, had made the connection herself. She wanted Luca to be her father, and that made everything both simpler and more complicated.

Luca knelt down to meet Sofia's gaze, his eyes softening. "I'm glad you like it, Sofia. Maybe we can spend more time here, just the three of us."

Sofia beamed, the brightness in her smile making Luca's heart swell. "That would be amazing, Papa."

Naia watched them, something tightening in her chest. As much as she wanted to feel purely happy about the moment, there was an ache there—an ache that this wasn't how it had always been.

The doorbell suddenly rang, breaking the moment. Luca frowned slightly, clearly not expecting anyone. Naia's gaze snapped toward the door just as Luca stood up. "I'll get it," he murmured, brushing past Naia with an unreadable expression.

When he opened the door, the surprise on his face was palpable.

"Aurea," he said, his voice carrying a hint of shock but also warmth.

Naia stiffened instinctively at the name, though she had no idea who this woman was. Aurea stepped inside with an easy smile, her presence immediately filling the space. She was striking—tall, elegant, with an air of effortless confidence. Her eyes scanned the room before landing on Naia and Sofia, lingering for a brief moment, though she didn't show any visible sign of discomfort.

"Hi," Aurea greeted with a soft smile, her voice melodic, though Naia couldn't help but notice the subtle tension beneath the surface. "I didn't realize you had company."

Luca cleared his throat, glancing nervously at Naia before looking back at Aurea. "Yeah, uh... this is Naia. And Sofia." There was a hesitancy in his voice that wasn't lost on Naia, and something inside her twisted painfully.

Aurea's smile widened, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's nice to meet you," she said warmly, extending a hand to Naia. Her tone was friendly, almost too friendly, and it made Naia's stomach turn, though she tried to keep her expression neutral.

"Likewise," Naia replied, shaking Aurea's hand, her mind spinning. She couldn't quite place what it was, but something felt off. Maybe it was the way Luca had looked at her, or maybe it was the way Aurea's presence seemed to shift the energy in the room.

Sofia, oblivious to the tension between the adults, looked up at Aurea curiously. "Are you Papa's friend?" she asked innocently, her big eyes wide with curiosity.

Aurea laughed softly, bending down to Sofia's height. "Yes, I am. Your Papa and I go way back." Her voice was smooth, and Naia couldn't tell if the warmth was genuine or just well-practiced. There was something unsettling about how comfortable Aurea was in Luca's space, as if she had been here many times before.

Luca shifted uncomfortably, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "Aurea and I... we've known each other for a while," he added, his voice strained.

Naia didn't miss the way Luca avoided her gaze. Her heart sank a little further, the pieces starting to fall into place. Aurea wasn't just a friend. She had been in Luca's life in ways Naia wasn't privy to, and it stung. There was no malice in Aurea's words or actions, but the reality of her presence was enough to make Naia feel like an intruder in Luca's world.

"Well, I don't want to intrude," Aurea said smoothly, standing up and glancing at Luca. "I just came by to drop off some documents. But we can catch up later, Luca." She flashed Naia a polite smile before turning back to Luca, her hand resting briefly on his arm in a way that felt too familiar.

Naia's chest tightened, a wave of insecurity washing over her. She didn't know why Aurea's presence was affecting her so much, but the subtle way Luca seemed caught between the two of them made her feel as though she didn't belong here. Aurea was polished, poised, and seemed far too comfortable in Luca's life. Naia, on the other hand, felt like she was stumbling through it, trying to find her place.

Luca walked Aurea to the door, his expression a mix of confusion and guilt. When he returned, the silence between him and Naia was deafening.

"So..." Naia began, her voice strained. "That was Aurea."

Luca sighed, sitting down on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees. "Yeah, she's... she's been in my life for a while."

Naia tried to swallow the lump in her throat, forcing a small smile. "It's okay, Luca. You don't owe me any explanations."

But even as she said the words, the hurt gnawed at her. She wasn't sure if it was jealousy or simply the realization that Luca had moved on in ways she hadn't expected. Either way, it cut deep.

Luca's gaze softened as he looked at her, but he didn't argue. There was still so much left unsaid between them, and Aurea's sudden appearance had only added another layer of complication to an already fragile situation.

Sofia, sensing the shift in mood, climbed into Luca's lap and rested her head on his shoulder. "Papa," she said softly, "are you sad?"

Luca wrapped his arms around Sofia, kissing the top of her head. "No, sweetheart," he whispered, though the sadness in his eyes betrayed him. "I'm just trying to figure some things out."