Temporary
The last car disappeared through the gates shortly before midnight.
The music had finally stopped.
The once-crowded mansion had fallen into a comfortable silence, with only the soft footsteps of servants clearing away empty glasses and plates from the evening’s celebration.
Guests had gone home.
The De Luca family slowly began retreating to their respective rooms.
Purvi stood near the staircase, watching two servants carry away a tray.
She was exhausted.
But despite everything that had happened tonight, she couldn’t deny that she had enjoyed herself.
Until Monisha approached.
Purvi noticed her from the corner of her eye.
Monisha walked toward her slowly, wearing a smug smile.
“Enjoying yourself?”
Purvi turned.
“Yes.”
Monisha stopped in front of her.
“I suppose you are.”
Purvi didn’t understand the tone.
“Is there something you need?”
Monisha gave a quiet laugh.
“Oh, nothing.”
She looked Purvi up and down.
“I just wanted to congratulate you.”
“For what?”
“For finally getting Vincenzo’s attention.”
Purvi frowned.
“I don’t understand.”
“Don’t you?”
Monisha stepped closer.
“He actually spoke tonight because of you.”
Purvi remembered Vincenzo’s words at the party.
Purvi is my wife.
Her heart had warmed when he said it.
But she hadn’t allowed herself to read too much into it.
Monisha’s smile widened.
“You must be very pleased with yourself.”
Purvi remained quiet.
“You probably think that because he defended you, you’ve finally managed to become important to him.”
Purvi shook her head.
“I never said that.”
“But you thought it.”
“No.”
Monisha laughed.
“Please.”
She folded her arms.
“Don’t be naive, Purvi.”
Purvi’s expression remained calm.
Monisha continued.
“Vincenzo and I have known each other since we were children.
I know him better than you ever will.”
Purvi listened.
“He doesn’t fall for women easily.”
Monisha paused.
“Actually, he doesn’t fall at all.”
Her smile became sharper.
“So don’t confuse one evening of him defending his wife with something it isn’t.”
Purvi looked at her.
“What isn’t it?”
“Love.”
The word hung between them.
Purvi said nothing.
Monisha leaned closer.
“You’re temporary.”
Purvi’s eyes flickered.
“Vincenzo will eventually get tired of this arrangement, and when he does…”
She shrugged.
“You’ll be gone.”
Purvi lowered her gaze for a moment.
Monisha smiled triumphantly.
“You should remember your place.”
A long silence followed.
Then Purvi looked back at her.
And smiled.
“You’re right.”
Monisha’s eyebrows lifted.
“I am?”
“Yes.”
Purvi nodded.
“This marriage is temporary.”
Monisha’s smile returned.
“Exactly.”
“But…”
Purvi stepped closer.
Her voice remained gentle.
“Vincenzo is still my husband.”
Monisha’s smile disappeared.
Purvi continued.
“Whether our marriage lasts one year or ten years, right now, he is my husband.”
She touched the wedding chain around her neck.
“And I’m his wife.”
Monisha stared at her.
Purvi smiled politely.
“So if you’re asking whether I think I’m important to him, I don’t know.”
She shrugged.
“I don’t pretend to know what Vincenzo thinks.”
Then she looked directly into Monisha’s eyes.
“But I do know what I am.”
Monisha’s jaw tightened.
“Don’t get too comfortable.”
Purvi smiled.
“I’m not.”
She turned to leave.
“And Monisha?”
Monisha looked at her.
Purvi smiled sweetly.
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
She walked away.
Monisha stood frozen.
She hadn’t expected that.
She had expected tears.
Insecurity.
Fear.
Not calm confidence.
Not that irritating smile.
Her hands tightened.
“This isn’t over,” she whispered.
Unfortunately for her, someone had heard everything.
“Obviously.”
Monisha turned.
Isabella stood at the bottom of the staircase.
Her arms were crossed.
Monisha’s expression hardened.
“This is between Purvi and me.”
Isabella raised an eyebrow.
“That’s funny.”
“What?”
“You said the same thing last time.”
Monisha frowned.
“Stay out of it.”
Isabella laughed.
“I would.”
She walked closer.
“But unfortunately, you keep making yourself everyone’s problem.”
Monisha glared at her.
“You’re defending her now?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I like her.”
Isabella shrugged.
“And because you’re annoying.”
Monisha scoffed.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know enough.”
She glanced toward the staircase.
“Purvi has been nothing but kind since she arrived.”
“She’s manipulating everyone.”
Isabella laughed.
“With what?”
“I don’t know.”
“Exactly.”
Monisha had no answer.
Isabella stepped closer.
“Besides, if Vincenzo really didn’t care about her, why did he defend her tonight?”
Monisha’s expression changed.
“He was protecting the family name.”
“Maybe.”
Isabella smiled.
“Or maybe he was protecting his wife.”
Monisha’s eyes darkened.
“Don’t start imagining things.”
“I could say the same to you.”
Monisha turned away.
Then Isabella called after her.
“Monisha.”
She stopped.
Isabella smiled innocently.
“Don’t you have a house?”
Monisha slowly turned around.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Isabella’s smile widened.
“Why are you still here?”
Monisha stared at her in disbelief.
“This is my friend’s house.”
“Exactly.”
Isabella pointed toward the door.
“And the party is over.”
Monisha’s face flushed.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“So I’ve been told.”
Isabella walked past her.
“Good night.”
Monisha remained where she stood.
Her eyes followed Isabella.
Then her gaze moved toward the staircase where Purvi had disappeared.
Her expression hardened.
“This isn’t over.”
Upstairs, Purvi entered the bedroom.
Vincenzo was already there.
He stood near the window, removing his watch.
Purvi walked toward the dressing table.
Neither spoke.
Then Vincenzo looked at her.
“Why were you talking to Monisha?”
Purvi paused.
“She came to talk to me.”
“What did she want?”
Purvi looked at him through the mirror.
“Nothing important.”
Vincenzo studied her.
“She upset you.”
Purvi smiled.
“No.”
“Don’t lie.”
“I’m not.”
He walked closer.
“Your eyes are red.”
Purvi quickly looked away.
“I was tired.”
Vincenzo’s expression darkened.
He knew she was lying.
But he didn’t push.
Instead, he said coldly,
“Stay away from Monisha.”
Purvi turned.
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
She sighed.
“You’re very bossy.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Purvi.”
She smiled.
“Fine.”
He turned toward the bed.
“Good.”
Purvi watched him for a moment.
Then quietly said,
“Vincenzo?”
He stopped.
“What?”
“Thank you.”
He turned slightly.
“For what?”
“For what you said tonight.”
His expression remained unreadable.
“You didn’t deserve what they said.”
Purvi smiled.
“Still, thank you.”
Vincenzo looked away.
“It was nothing.”
Purvi nodded.
“I know.”
She turned toward the dressing table.
Neither of them noticed how long Vincenzo remained standing there.
He had told her their marriage was temporary.
He had told her not to expect anything from him.
He had told her to maintain boundaries.
Yet somehow, the moment someone had questioned whether she belonged beside him…
He had felt something dangerously close to anger.
And he didn’t like it.
Not one bit.