Thirty Years, One Mistake Chapter 05

Thirty Years, One Mistake Chapter 05

“What Erin?” Luca stared at me. 

“Who told you that nonsense?” 

“We’ve been together almost thirty years. Don’t 

you trust me at all?” 

The Falcone family breathed out in relief and spoke up one by one. 

“That Carter girl – she disappeared years ago.” 

“Linda, Luca has kept you updated on everything he does these past few years. Don’t bring up old 

history.” 

Mrs. Falcone even reached for the divorce papers. 

“Linda, mood swings are normal during 

pregnancy, but this isn’t funny.” 

“Put that away – you scared us.” 

My mom’s face darkened. She glared at me. 

“What are you saying? Knock on wood – you’ll 

upset the baby.” 

I found it so absurd I almost shouted. “No one has 

worked harder to keep this marriage together than 

1. me. And no one wants this to be fake more than I 

do!” 

The banquet hall went silent. 

I calmly pushed Mrs. Falcone’s hand away, my 

voice steadier. 

“You don’t need to take it. I’m serious.” 

I turned to Luca, looked at his tight jaw, and said 

one word at a time. 

“I’m not joking. The baby is gone.” 

The color drained from Luca’s face visibly. 

He grabbed my wrist, so hard I thought he’d crush 

my bones. 

“Gone? What do you mean gone?!” 

His voice rose. 

“Linda, that’s our child! How dare you 

“How dare I?” 

I laughed softly and yanked my hand free. 

I slammed my phone on the table. The screen lit 

up – Erin’s social media page. 

Post after post, practically bragging. 

“Then tell me, what is this?!” 

Erin’s face glared in the dim restaurant light. 

“Eight years ago, you said you were drunk and 

mistook her for me. I believed you.” 

“For eight years, you were devoted to me. I 

believed you.” 

“But Luca, tell me. What is this? Why was she in 

your passenger seat? Why was she wearing lace lingerie you bought her, lying in your bed on your birthday, asking you about having children?!” 

With every question, Luca’s face got paler. 

He opened his mouth, like he wanted to defend 

himself. 

But when his eyes fell on the phone screen, all his 

excuses died in his throat. 

“It’s not… it’s not what you think.” 

He staggered back, bumping into a chair with al 

screech. 

The truth was laid bare for everyone to see. 

The Falcones stared at their son’s devastated 

expression, too shocked to speak. 

My parents looked in disbelief at the soninlaw 

they’d always treated like a son. 

Old Don’s voice cracked. “Luca, is what Linda said 

true?” 

Luca didn’t answer. 

He suddenly lunged forward to hug me, but I 

dodged. 

“No, Linda, let me explain. I was wrong.” 

“I didn’t mean to… I don’t know how it happened.” 

“But I love you. Only you.” 

There it was again. 

– 

Eight years ago, just like this tears streaming, 

swearing I was the only one. 

I bent down, picked up the gold necklace Erin had called oldfashioned, and placed it in his hand. 

“Luca, your love is too dirty. I can’t take it.”