The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 286: Betrayal

Chapter 286: Betrayal

The lingering scars of his past relationship were evident, subtly shaping his behavior even within their current arrangement. Yet, the evolution of their connection had surpassed mere convenience. What once started as a calculated agreement now bore the resemblance of a genuine relationship.

Matteo’s presence had become an anchor for Stella, a refuge where she found solace and reassurance. He filled the voids of insecurity, offering a sense of protection that seemed to mend the wounds of her own past. However, the recent events had shown her the boundaries of their dynamic.

In the careful dance between intimacy and autonomy, she had learned that while Matteo provided her with security, her freedom still had limits.

Good things never last.

As this realization settled within her, the elevator’s chime punctuated her thoughts. The doors slid open.

It had pricked his senses when Matteo had asked Stella what was happening and she had lied to him. Stella, lie to him—there had to be a very valid reason for her to do so. Not one time, not two times, but the entire night until the moment that he had dropped her off. Which was why the moment he’d dropped her off, he’d taken the initiative to park his car in a dark spot, two apartment buildings away from hers.

While he watched from afar, he’d contemplated calling her out and taking her somewhere, at least to get her to talk as it was clear she was not in the mood for anything else but that. But all of his contemplations had faded to the cloud when he’d watched her walk out of her apartment building.

It was clear from the way she was dressed that she did not want to be noticed by anyone, which meant she suspected she was being followed. But by who?

His senses had tingled further when he saw her stop abruptly in her tracks. Did she see something? Was she being called into a dark corner? From a distance, he’d noticed her body reactions and from the way she’d braced herself for flight—it was clear that she was in danger.

Eyes widening in panic, he had pushed open his car door, slammed it shut in an attempt to wade off whoever, or whatever it was that caused her to have such fright. But just when he’d covered a short distance towards her, she broke into a run at an unbelievable speed.

Had the situation not been dire, he could’ve burst out laughing. But everything about what had happened prevented that from happening. Something was not right and he needed to get to the root of it.

What he did not expect was for all of it to lead to his office.

"Good evening, boss," the security guard’s enthusiastic greetings went over his head as Matteo went straight to the point.

"Did anyone come here tonight?" His impatience leaked in his tone and his words poured out with such aggression it caused the security guard to flinch and take a step backward. Matteo did not care. If anything, he leaned forward even further, his face hovering right above the guard in a manner meant to put him down.

"Ye—yes, sir, Ms. Rossi, your personal secretary." The security personnel stammered in a panicked tone, throwing his form aside as Matteo charged forward without paying him another glance.

Please let it not be true, Stella...

Unless she had a very valid reason... Stella would not lie to him. He was most certain that she wouldn’t—not after everything they’ve been through together. As much as Matteo did not want to believe it, all of his assumptions pointed in that direction.

Stella was a mole.

And she had come to get the job done.

The innocent act, the need to please him, the seduction, the jealousy act with Mr. Gerald... everything was planned. And he’d fallen for it because of his love for her. Yes, as much as he hated to admit it in this moment, he’d come to realize that the long-denied feelings of obsessive desires to own, to take claim, to affirm his dominance over the entirety of Stella’s being—was actually the affirmation of the intensity of the emotions he had harbored for her for so long.

And now, she’s going to betray me...

A familiar uncomfortable tug in his chest brought to wake, the pain of the revelation he was about to unveil. With his eyes fixed on the buttons as they ascended, he closed his palm over his chest as he felt the unsteady rhythm of his heart slamming against it—the evidence of the emotions he’d tried hard to keep locked away.

Love... damn you to hell, Stella!

The elevator doors dinged open and his gaze locked with Stella’s, wide-eyed and ladled with what looked like relief and defeat—not guilt. There was no sign of remorse despite being caught red-handed. It made his heart ache even more. He had hoped it won’t be true, but here was all the evidence he needed.

With his eyes firmly fixed on hers, he walked out of the elevator, maintaining a three-stride distance away from her. And then he waited... for an excuse, an explanation, a good reason why she had to be the one. When she made no attempt to defend herself, he posed a simple question.

"Why?"

It was at that moment that he saw it, what he had wanted, that remorse, that guilt, that hurt that he’d felt when he’d discovered who she actually was. As much as he wanted to think otherwise, his rational judgement had been clouded by the torrent of emotions that threatened to pour out of him.

What have you done to me, Stella Rossi?!

"Mat—"

"Save it!"

"Matteo, please—"

"You lost your chance to redeem yourself a few seconds ago, Ms. Rossi, is that even your real name?!" Had he not harbored such strong emotions for her, he would’ve killed her on the spot, thrown her out the window maybe, do something to get her out of his sight and end the damn annoying manner in which his feelings went wild inside him.

"Matteo—"

"Who sent you?!"

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