Luca’s Inferno by Karima Sa’ad Usman

Chapter 32

32 Let’s Go To Ashfield EMMA TWO YEARS AND SIX MONTHS LATER. It wasn’t easy living without Luca, but my heart had somehow healed itself. My family was a tremendous support, and I did not know how I would have survived without them. They supported me through it all. I was heartbroken throughout my pregnancy, and there was a time that I was tempted to go to Ashfield and confront Luca Still, I would hold back whenever I remembered what Tevin told me about him moving on. It was a contract, and I wasn’t supposed to get my heart tangled in a mess, yet I did. I had come out badly bruised and injured. I was still picking up the piece of what was left of my broken heart, and I thanked the goddess for helping me through it. There were times that I sit up in bed thinking about Luca, but they were fewer now than in the past. I moved out of my father’s house when Katya, my daughter, turned one. We needed our space, and thanks to my bakery business, I could afford a small place. It had two rooms, a living room with the kitchen and a toilet and bath to share. Katya and I slept in the same room, but her room was separate from mine. I loved my daughter. She had her father’s features which made her look like Catalina but also had my dark hair and moonlight-grey eyes. She was adorable. Sometimes I would wonder why I was sad I was pregnant. She was great company and also represented the love Luca and I shared, however brief. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I learned he had turned into a monster, and people feared him. I wondered why. He was always sweet and thoughtful, but if anything was inevitable, it was ‘change’. Everything was subject to change. Even the sweet, caring Luca that once stole my heart away. I would often send blessings his way and pray he finds true happiness one day. Tomas finally took over as Alpha after Alpha Gibson was found dead in his backyard. Some said he had a running with the mob. No one had been able to figure out who did it. After Alpha Gibson died, Tomas took over and alienated himself from Veronica. She was a terrible drunk and still blamed me for her predicament. I did not care; blaming people for her problems made her feel better and blinded her from her flaws. She shouldn’t have married Tomas. He didn’t want her, but she wanted him by all means, and

she had gotten him. Although I had no reason not to be with him, I did not feel anything for him. Luca had occupied the better part of my heart, and there was nothing I could do. He would often come to take Katya and me out on a friendly outing, and we had shared a kiss or two, but the sparks weren’t there, and I could not force it. Tomas hated Luca and claimed Luca had damaged me for him, but we both knew he could never say it to Luca’s face. He still offered to claim me as his since he was trying to divorce Veronica, but she would always be his mate because even though he could divorce her, he could not unclaim her. I did not want to come between them, and I often urged him to try with Veronica. I hoped he would one day move on from me and find the peace he deserves. Katya was a blessing to me. She was sweet and smart for her age. I couldn’t wait for her to be able to have meaningful sentences. She would be an amazing company, more amazing than she is now. I looked at her where she sat on the floor playing with toys, and she looked beautiful. My heart soared just by looking at her, and just for her sake, I wouldn’t change anything that happened in my life. She was an excellent reward for all the pain and heartache I felt. I blessed the goddess for her. She was my gift and a priceless gem that brought sunshine into my dark world. Heather and Aldo were going strong and soon about to be married. Aldo never discussed Luca with Heather, so I did not know what was going on in his life or if he had children with Teressa. I am sure they will be lovely because she was a stunning woman. I sat by the window and stared at my lawn. It was a beautiful day, and I was glad to be experiencing it. I saw Heather park her car in front of my house. I envied her greatly. She and Aldo were still going strong, and he made sure he protected her. Aldo was lucky that no one attempted to kill him. He wasn’t that important to be taken out. The goddess had smiled at Heather, and I was happy for her. I got up and went to open the door. Heather’s brown hair was in a ponytail. She wore sunglasses and a yellow cotton dress with white polka dots. She looked stunning. Aldo spent a lot on her, and she was the envy of our pack. I wished Luca held on to me like that, but our love and story were now history. She smiled at me and took off her glasses. Walking into my home, she went to pick Katya up, where she was playing with her toys.

“Little princess,” she said, kissing Katya, and my daughter giggled. I had begged Heather not to tell Aldo about the baby. My brother feared Luca would force me to abort it because of Teressa. So we all kept it a secret, but with Heather’s wedding approaching, I knew my secret would be out. I wasn’t a timid girl who could not face pain. Life had dealt me a huge amount of pain, and now my tolerance was high. Seeing Luca at the wedding with Teressa would not faze me. In fact, I will mind my business and not go near them. If he speaks to me, I will be polite and formal. It was the least I could do, but I was done hiding. Heather sat on the couch, looking exhausted. “I have been shopping all morning, Emma; Aldo wants me to come to Ashfield tonight. His driver is coming to get me.” She said, and I was excited for her. She looked at me from head to toe, and I saw an idea pop in her head, and I got worried. “Leana is helping you with your shop, isn’t she?” She asked me, and I nodded. “Great, we will be going to Ashfield together,” and my heart began to beat fast. I did not want to run into Luca yet. The wedding was fine but not at Aldo’s house. “Luca won’t be there, Emma. You need to go out and have some fun. It has been two years and six months. Katya is a year eight months old. Come on, Emma. Please. I will be there for a week. You know how these men are and how busy they are. It will be great to have you and Katya around to keep me company. I already told Aldo you would be coming. He doesn’t know about Katya yet, but I am sure he will not protest. Please, Emma. I will do this for you if the tables are turned around. Please, Emma. Who knows, you might meet someone you like.” She said, and I shook my head immediately. “I am closed off from the love department, Heather. No more. I am quitting now while I still can.” I said, and she stood up and hugged me. “I know, and I am sorry I said that, but I am desperate that you come with me. See it as a break, especially from Alpha Tomas, who can’t stop bothering you. The guy is a psycho. I promise you won’t regret it. My wedding is in two months, Emma. We just have two months to spend together, after which I will move to Ashfield to live with my husband. Let us make it count. Your business won’t suffer with Leana and your mother running it for you. What do you say?” She said, and I knew her heart would be broken if I said no. So I reluctantly nodded my head, and she squealed with joy. “Come on, let me help you pack,” she said, lifting Katya up and leading us to my bedroom to pack my

things. Something told me I would regret this trip. As much as I wanted to say no, I knew I could not chicken out now. Heather helped me pack for the trip. I locked up my house and followed her to her place to wait for Aldo’s driver to pick us up. He sent a limo which reminded me of Luca, but I held my tears. Katya seemed excited, but I wasn’t. Although it would just be a week, I did not know what life had in store for me in Ashfield, but I prayed that I didn’t run in Luca. I wasn’t ready.