LM0037: A Smile That Didn't Reach

Mizuki sat on the plush sofa, her hands neatly clasped in her lap, a picture of serenity on the surface. But her mind was far from quiet. To her left, her father, Caleb, was immersed in silence, his presence as composed and refined as always. He looked as pristine, handsome, and kind as she remembered him. If someone were to look at the scene, they might think it was the perfect portrait of a father-daughter moment.

Her gaze lingered on him, quietly observing. Caleb truly looked young for his age, his features smooth and dignified, with a charm that belied the years. Mizuki begrudgingly admitted to herself that her mother, Kai, was no less remarkable. Despite her demanding personality, Kai was a stunning woman, with a timeless beauty that Mizuki knew many envied.

So why?

The question burned in her mind as her gaze hardened. Why couldn't he be satisfied with someone like Kai? Why would he seek out another woman?

Mizuki tried to rationalize it, to understand her father's choices. She'd done it so many times before, but the ache in her chest remained the same. Her thoughts wandered to her past marriage with Pablo. By all outward appearances, they had been the perfect couple—a match made in heaven. Together, they looked like a vision, their beauty complementing each other.

But the truth was far from perfect.

Pablo hadn't loved her. Not in the way a husband should love a wife. The painful memory brought an unexpected pang of solidarity with her mother. Had Kai felt the same way Mizuki had, trapped in a partnership that looked perfect to everyone else but was hollow within?

As if sensing her thoughts, Caleb suddenly turned to her, catching her gaze. His lips curved into a gentle smile—the kind that used to warm her heart and reassure her when she was a child.

But now, it had the opposite effect.

The sight of his smile felt like a betrayal. It reminded her of everything she had learned in her previous life, everything she had come to understand about her family's broken foundation. Mizuki's lips pressed into a tight line as her irritation flared. She would always return his smiles with dancing eyes and a light laugh in the past.

Not today.

Instead, she glared at him. Then, her eyes narrowed, and the intensity of her stare must have carried some weight because Caleb blinked, visibly taken aback. His confusion was evident in the slight furrow of his brow as he tilted his head, as if to silently ask, What's wrong?

Mizuki didn't respond. She didn't owe him an explanation—not now, not ever. She knew her anger wasn't entirely fair. After all, these things happened. Infidelity wasn't unique to their family; she had seen and heard of it enough to know it was almost commonplace.

Her mother's words from the past echoed in her mind. As long as your father is a good husband, father, and son, we shouldn't mind other things, whatever they may be.

Back then, those words had been a balm. But now, they only left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Caleb opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to question her sudden hostility, but a commotion in the hallway interrupted him. Kai's voice rang out, bright and cheerful, and Mizuki turned her attention to the sound.

Kai entered the room, followed closely by another woman whose presence instantly demanded attention.

Romina Rossi had arrived.

Mizuki rose from her seat, her posture composed and respectful, masking the storm of emotions swirling inside her. This was the beginning of a battle she'd fought once before—and lost.

This time, she was determined to win.

The woman who stepped into the room with Mizuki's mother exuded the kind of elegance that came naturally to those born into privilege. Romina Rossi was a picture-perfect matriarch of a wealthy Italian family. Her presence was commanding without being overbearing, with an aura that spoke of years spent ruling her household and social circles with practiced grace.

Though she looked older than Kai, her sophistication lent her an undeniable charm. Her face, lined with subtle traces of time, was beautifully made up, highlighting sharp cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes framed by expertly coiffed dark brown hair. She wore a deep emerald-green dress that mirrored Kai's own stylish attire, the fabric shimmering subtly as it caught the light. Around her neck was an intricate gold chain adorned with a single emerald pendant, and her wrists jingled faintly with delicate gold bangles.

Mizuki couldn't help but think, Birds of a feather flock together.

Arm in arm, Romina and Kai entered the room, their laughter echoing through the space as they chatted animatedly. Their voices overlapped, their energy infectious, as if they hadn't seen each other in years. But Mizuki knew better.

She mentally rolled her eyes. Her mother had been to Italy just two months ago, likely plotting this very meeting with her so-called best friend. Mizuki could almost imagine them sitting together, sipping expensive wine and planning the perfect way to set her up. After all, in her past life, her engagement to Pablo had been too seamless to be mere coincidence.

Her musings were interrupted when Romina's sharp gaze landed on her, and the older woman smiled.

"Oh, is this Mizuki?" Romina asked, her voice lilting with warmth. But Mizuki caught the briefest twitch of disapproval in her lips as her eyes skimmed over the oversized sweater and jeans.

Kai noticed, and her response came in the form of an exaggerated eye roll.

"Yes," Kai replied with a sigh. "What can I say? My daughter is too lazy to dress up."

Romina laughed, a soft, melodic sound that filled the room. "Don't worry," she said, her tone conspiratorial. "I'm sure she would if she had a reason to doll up. Right, Mizuki?" Her voice was sweet, but Mizuki detected the thinly veiled jab beneath it.

Mizuki forced a smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I dress to be comfortable," she countered with an awkward laugh, though she doubted either woman truly heard her.

Kai and Romina were already moving on, greeting Caleb. Mizuki watched as Romina addressed her father with a polite familiarity.

"Caleb," Romina said, her tone warm but measured. They exchanged pleasantries, their conversation effortless, though Mizuki noted how her father's usual charm seemed slightly restrained.

Then Romina turned toward the hallway, and Mizuki's breath hitched.

There, standing just out of the light, was a tall, broad-shouldered man. As he stepped forward, the dim light caught his features, and Mizuki's heart skipped a beat.

He was the very picture of an Italian heartthrob, with sun-kissed olive skin and dark, wavy hair that brushed just past his shoulders. His jawline was strong and clean-shaven, his nose sharp and aristocratic, and his eyes a deep, piercing brown that seemed to hold a world of untold stories. He wore a perfectly tailored navy-blue suit that emphasized his height and lean physique, the crisp white shirt underneath open at the collar, giving him an air of effortless sophistication.

Mizuki's gaze traveled over him, lingering on the familiar curve of his lips and the sharp planes of his face. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as realization washed over her.

It was him.

Her husband.

Or rather, her ex-husband.

She bit her lip, trying to steady her breathing as a flood of memories from her past life threatened to overwhelm her. She hadn't expected the sight of him to affect her so strongly, but there he was—alive, vibrant, and every bit as handsome as she remembered.

Romina's voice broke through her thoughts.

"Mizuki, this is my son, Pablo," she said with a proud smile, her eyes flicking between them as if gauging their reactions.

Pablo stepped closer, offering a polite smile as his dark eyes met Mizuki's. For a moment, neither spoke, the room seeming to hold its breath. Mizuki's stomach twisted as a strange mix of emotions bubbled to the surface—nervousness, nostalgia, and a lingering sense of loss.

"Pablo," Romina prompted, nudging him lightly.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mizuki," he said, his voice deep and smooth, with the faintest hint of an Italian accent. He extended a hand toward her.

Mizuki hesitated for a split second before reaching out, her fingers brushing his in a handshake that felt far more significant than it should have.

"The pleasure is mine," she replied, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.

As they released hands, Mizuki forced herself to focus. This wasn't the time to get lost in memories or emotions. This was a new life, a new chance, and she wished with all her heart to make everything right.