"I shouldn’t be laughing, seriously, but I couldn’t help it. I just can’t believe you let someone like her fool you for that long." He continued to let out that uncontrollable, inappropriate laugh that happens right after you’ve sworn to be serious.

Mark looked away. "It’s not your fault... laugh as you want," he said quietly. "It’s that cheating Stella who gave you something to laugh at. I trusted her because I loved her. I never thought she could cheat on me."

Matteo finally calmed down, wiping a tear from his eye. "So, she wants more money now?."

"Yes," Mark replied.

"What do you plan to do to her?" Matteo asked, his tone turning more serious.

Mark’s expression hardened. "I want her to regret cheating on me... for fooling me, for using me," he said coldly. "I want her to cry. I don’t want to hurt her physically... but I want to hurt her in a way she’ll never forget."

Matteo nodded, a dark glint in his eyes. "Consider it done. Send me the guy’s picture. We’ll find his background... and make sure they both get a taste of their own medicine."

"Alright," Mark said, forwarding the photo to Matteo’s phone. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Matteo glanced at it, a faint smirk forming on his lips. "Don’t worry," he said. "She’s going to regret ever fooling Mark Marcone."

Mark then paused, looking at his twin. "But why are you here? What’s going on with you?."

Matteo sighed and began to explain his situation with Adrian’s father. He admitted that he felt like he was starting to lose the battle... he couldn’t harm anyone connected to him, and he couldn’t force him to accept their relationship.

He looked at Mark, his voice lowering. "I don’t think—"

Mark didn’t let him finish. "I understand what you’re going through right now," he cut in. "But this is just the hardest part, you can’t give up now."

He leaned forward slightly. "Think about why you wanted Adrian in the first place. You just have to be strong for him and keep trying. I don’t want you to lose hope... because I know both of you are truly meant for each other."

Matteo smiled, feeling a rare moment of genuine support from his brother. "Thank you, brother."

Mark smiled. "Alright... so what’s the plan now? What’s the next move? What are you going to do about his father? Are you going to meet him in person, or what?"

Matteo exhaled, the weight of the situation visible in his posture. "I don’t have an answer yet... but before the day ends, I’ll know what to do. Maybe I’ll have to meet him in person. We need to talk. I have to make him understand that my man is not going to marry Iris. That’s not happening. I’ll make sure he knows that."

"All right," Mark said, nodding.

Matteo then turned the focus back to Mark. "So, about you... what’s the next plan?"

Mark shrugged, leaning back. "I’m just... looking for a chance to move in a different direction."

Matteo studied him for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Are we talking about Charles?"

"Maybe," Mark replied.

Matteo’s expression turned serious, his tone shifting from a co-conspirator to a protective brother. "If you want to be with Charles, then you need to be sure... really sure before you go after him. Charles is a man, yes... but that doesn’t make his feelings any less real. If you’re doing this because you’re hurt or confused, you’re going to end up hurting him."

He leaned forward slightly, making sure Mark was paying attention. "As your brother, I’m telling you... slow down for a second. Think it through. But if you’re sure about what you’re feeling, then go for him. Just don’t treat it like something you can walk away from halfway. You can’t get tired and suddenly decide to go back to a woman because it feels easier."

Matteo’s voice softened, but his words stayed firm. "What you’ll have with Charles will be real... just as real as what you thought you had with Stella. So if you’re not certain, don’t start it. Don’t drag him into something while you’re still trying to figure yourself out."

He held his gaze. "Take your time. Be sure. And if you’re sure... then go to him the right way. Don’t be the reason he gets hurt."

Matteo looked at him, his expression serious. "My question is... are you really sure you want this? Are you sure you want to go after him?"

Mark didn’t hesitate. He admitted that he had been noticing Charles for quite some time and found him to be a genuinely cool guy and easy to talk to. He felt a connection brewing and believed that if they truly started something, it could really turn into something special.

"I understand," Matteo said, though his tone remained cautious. "But you need to realize something... men get hurt too. Men cry over love, just like we do. Just like you did when things fell apart with Stella."

He paused, then gestured lightly. "Look at me right now. I have a lot going on in my head. I’m not okay... but I’m holding it together. Not because I don’t feel it, but because I’m choosing to be strong. For myself... and for the man I love."

Matteo stood up, pacing the room. "If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t care. But this is Adrian’s friend. I don’t want you going to him and ending up hurting him in a way that could affect Adrian’s relationship with Charles."

He paused, then looked back at Mark. "I know you’re not a bad person. I know you wouldn’t do something like this lightly. But this is different. Being with a man... it’s not something you just try and walk away from."

He exhaled. "There will be times you get tired. Times you feel frustrated. Times you want to stop. That happens in every relationship. But if you don’t know why you’re choosing it this one... you’ll walk away the moment it gets hard."

His voice softened slightly. "Love is what keeps you there. It’s what makes you stay, even when it’s not easy. And this kind of relationship... it takes your heart. Fully."

He held Mark’s gaze. "So be sure. Be honest with yourself. Know why you want him... not just because you’re hurting right now."

Mark listened quietly, taking in every word his brother said. He realized this wasn’t just about moving on or filling a void, it was about choosing someone... and taking responsibility for their heart.

"I understand what you’re saying, Matteo," Mark finally said, his voice steady. "And I think I’m ready. I’m ready to go for him... I’m serious about Charles. If he feels the same way, then I’m all in."

Matteo gave a small, approving nod. "Alright... then you can find your way around him. I know you’ve already looked into him, so go for it."

He walked back and sat down, offering one last piece of encouragement. "I know Charles is single and doesn’t have anyone serious in his life right now, so I wish you luck. He’s a cool, reasonable guy, someone who actually listens before he speaks. I’ve noticed that about him. You won’t have a problem. You both fit."

Mark smiled warmly. "Thank you."

As they began to pivot to another topic, a message notification chimed on Matteo’s phone. He looked down to see a text from Adrian: Baby, where are you? I’m missing you already.

Matteo stood up immediately. "I need to go. My baby is missing me, I need to go be with my man."

As he walked toward the door, Mark couldn’t resist mimicking him in a high-pitched, teasing voice. "I need to go see my man!."

Matteo chuckled, shaking his head at his brother’s antics. "Don’t worry, very soon you’ll be feeling that way too, rushing off to see your man."

Mark laughed. "Alright, alright. Thanks, bro."

They exchanged a final greeting before Matteo stepped out, leaving Mark alone in his room.

Walking down the hall toward his suite, Matteo noticed his bodyguards standing at attention outside the door. As he drew closer, he heard the muffled thump of music echoing from inside. Adrian was clearly making himself at home; he had even asked for wine and was currently caught up in his own private celebration.

Matteo pushed the door open softly. Adrian was lost in the rhythm of a smooth, upbeat track, a glass of wine nearby as he danced with an effortless sway of his waist. He was so immersed in the music that he didn’t even notice Matteo had entered.

Matteo simply stood there for several minutes, a quiet smile playing on his lips as he watched Adrian move.

Adrian finally turned around, still moving to the music. And suddenly froze.

His eyes widened. "Baby... you’re here!"

He dropped the act and ran toward Matteo. "What took you so long?"

"What’s the occasion?" Matteo asked, gesturing to the music and the wine. "What are you celebrating?"

Adrian laughed lightly, shaking his head. "I’m not celebrating anything... I was just bored being alone, so I decided to play music and enjoy myself."

He reached for Matteo’s hand.

"Come on, dance with me."

Matteo shook his head. "I don’t know how to dance."

"Please, baby," Adrian insisted, pulling him slightly. "Just try."

"I really don’t know how," Matteo repeated, but eventually gave in. "Okay, fine. Let’s try."

Slowly, they started moving together.

At first, Matteo was stiff... unsure.

But Adrian laughed, guiding him, making it light and easy.

Soon, they were both smiling.

Matteo’s eyes stayed on him the whole time.

Watching him.

Appreciating him.

How did I get this lucky...?

Without realizing it, he pulled Adrian closer.

Their movements slowed.

The music faded into the background.

And then...

Matteo leaned in and kissed him.

The kiss deepened. And before they knew it, they stumbled back.

Landing softly on the bed together.

Matteo’s hands began...