My Wealthy Fiancé Found Me Bruised and Crying in His Restaurant Kitchen
Previously: When Matteo burst into his restaurant's kitchen, he expected a routine inspection. Instead, he found his ex-wife Elena bruised, weeping, and facing his cruel fiancée Victoria.
The silence in the kitchen was deafening, broken only by the low hum of the ventilation fans. Matteo stared at Victoria, the woman he was scheduled to marry in less than a month. The elegant facade she usually wore had completely vanished, replaced by a mask of cold arrogance.
The Truth Unveiled
"What did you just say to her?"
Matteo asked, his voice dangerously quiet, vibrating with a rage he had never felt before.
Victoria scoffed, crossing her arms and refusing to back down. She tried to maintain her aristocratic composure.
"Matteo, darling, don't be so dramatic,"
she sneered.
"She is a common kitchen worker. I found out she's been using your family name to get favors around the city. I was simply reminding her of her place."
"My place?"
Elena cried out, her voice trembling but finding a sudden spark of courage she hadn't possessed in years.
"You threatened to take Lily away from me! You told me if I didn't work here for free to pay off some imaginary debt, you would use your family's high-priced lawyers to declare me an unfit mother!"
Matteo’s jaw clenched so hard a muscle twitched violently. Five years ago, Elena had vanished with their newborn daughter, Lily, leaving behind a brief note saying she didn't love him anymore. Matteo had spent half a decade in a spiral of grief, eventually finding solace in Victoria's wealthy arms. Now, the puzzle pieces were violently crashing together.
"You told me she ran away because she wanted someone richer, Victoria,"
Matteo whispered, the horrifying realization dawning on him.
"You told me you searched for her and found nothing."
"I did what was best for our social standing, Matteo!"
Victoria snapped, her voice rising.
"A man of your caliber doesn't belong with a charity case. I paid her to leave back then, and she took the money. Now she's back, begging for scraps."
"She didn't take a dime!"
Elena sobbed.
"You threatened my family's safety! And yesterday, when I tried to walk out, your bodyguard shoved me against the metal prep tables!"
She pointed to her bruised cheek. Matteo felt a sickening wave of betrayal wash over him. The woman he thought was his savior was actually a monster.
”The woman he thought was his savior was actually a monster.