Chapter 200

"Fill it? What do you mean?"

"Don't worry about it. I said I'll help you, and I will,” Renata said evasively.

Suddenly, Santino grabbed her wrist, his voice turning cold. "Tell me the truth. What did you do?"

His grip was surprisingly strong, and she winced. "What are you doing? You're hurting me!"

He immediately let go, his composure returning. "I'm sorry."

Renata rubbed her wrist, looking at him with suspicion. “You're so strange. You cause a catastrophe and act like nothing happened, but when I offer to help, you get all worked up. What are you thinking?"

Santino looked at her, his expression unreadable, then took her hand again, his touch now gentle. "Renata, what have you done? Please tell me. I don't need your help, and I don't want you getting into trouble."

She shook her head. "Don't worry, I won't be in any danger. I can handle this."

His gaze was intense, as if trying to see right through her. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. I came to tell you not to worry so much. And... please come home. Jaden and I miss you." Her voice trembled with unshed tears. No matter how strong she acted around others, with Santino, she was always vulnerable.

Santino watched her for a moment, then turned to look out the window and sighed. "I'll try to come back soon As you said, this situation is, serious, and I need to be at the office."

Renata squeezed his hand. "I understand it's not just work, it's my dad too. know you don't want to face him right now." She paused, then took a deep breath. "I've been thinking we should move out Like. our Like Clifford did. We should have our own pláce."

When they first married, her mother had insisted they all live together to "evaluate Santino. The arrangement had been peaceful enough so they had never considered leaving Bat now, Renata yearned for a real home, for a life as a proper family.

Santino reached out and stroked her hair. "If that's what you want, then we'll move out. It's your decision."

There it was again. His casual indifference. He agreed to whatever she wanted, never offering an opinion of his own. He was a ghost in their own family.

Then, his tone shifted. "Are you and your brother planning something?"

Renata stiffened, her eyes darting away. "No, of course not. Don't be silly."

Her reaction was all the confirmation Santino needed. A subtle change crossed his face. “Alright, I won't ask. I have to get back to work. You should go home and take care of Jaden."

She nodded obediently, looking at him with adoration. But Santino simply opened the car door and walked away without a backward glance.

As the elevator doors closed behind him, the smile vanished from his face. He took out his phone and made a call.