CHAPTER 77As she continued eating, her father suddenly cleared his throat. She glanced up at him, noticing the serious yet gentle expression on his face.“Angel,” he started, calling her by the name he had used for her since childhood. “I know you asked me not to pressure you anymore, and I have tried to respect that.” He sighed, placing his fork down. “But I am not trying to matchmake you this time. This is just me, as your father, politely asking you to think about your future.”Sophia arched a brow but remained silent, listening to him.“Don’t you think you need a companion?” he continued. “Do you want to be a lonely woman, spending all your years buried in work? Life is not just about career success, angel. You need someone by your side.”The whole time, Sophia couldn’t stop grinning. A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes as she slowly placed her spoon down on her plate. She wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin before looking up at her father with a wide smile.“Well, w
Dante was seated in his study, surrounded by neatly stacked documents and a laptop screen glowing dimly in front of him. His fingers tapped lightly on the desk as he skimmed through some reports, his mind half-focused. Though work demanded his attention, Sophia was always somewhere in his thoughts. It had become second nature to think about her, to worry about her, even when he was buried in business matters.A sharp knock on the door interrupted his concentration. Without looking up, he responded in a firm voice, “Come in.”The door opened slowly, and one of Dante’s most trusted men stepped inside, his posture straight and professional. He was one of the few people Dante relied on without question. This man wasn’t just any bodyguard—he had been given a very special task. A task that Dante had assigned personally.His job was to watch over Sophia.But she didn’t know about it.Dante had made this decision long before their relationship had even begun. Back then, she was just a woman h
CHAPTER 79Sophia arrived home feeling a little tired but excited at the same time. She had enjoyed spending time with her father, but now, all she could think about was Dante.She walked straight to her bedroom, setting her bag down on the dresser, getting out of her dress before heading into the bathroom. She turned on the shower, letting the warm water run for a few moments before stepping in. As the water cascaded over her body, she closed her eyes, allowing the heat to relax her muscles. She took her time, washing off the day’s stress, enjoying the refreshing sensation of the scented body wash against her skin.After a thorough rinse, she wrapped herself in a soft towel and stepped out, walking over to her vanity. She applied a light, moisturizing body lotion, making sure her skin was soft and glowing.Now, it was time to get dressed.She didn’t want anything too extravagant, but at the same time, she wanted to look effortlessly stunning. She reached into her closet and picked ou
As soon as Sophia opened the door, she stepped into the entryway, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. The cool air inside wrapped around her, carrying the faint scent of Dante’s cologne, a scent she had grown so familiar with—a deep, rich fragrance that always made her feel safe and at home.The lighting in the room was soft and inviting, casting a golden glow over the luxurious space. Her eyes traveled over the sleek black leather couches arranged neatly in the entryway. The cushions looked untouched, perfectly placed, as if no one had sat there. A grand chandelier hung from the high ceiling, its crystals shimmering under the warm light, adding an air of elegance to the already lavish setting.The walls were painted in a deep shade of gray, complementing the dark furniture and giving the space a sophisticated, masculine feel. A large painting, bold and abstract, hung on one side, while a tall vase with fresh white roses sat on a glass table near the entrance,
Sophia was still worried. She knew Dante well—he always made her happiness his priority. He never ignored her, never seemed distant like this. Whatever was on his mind must be something serious, something truly disturbing. She hated seeing him like this, so lost in thought, as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.She sat up, turning to face him fully, her soft eyes searching his unreadable expression. “Well, you know I can always help with anything,” she said gently, reaching out to touch his hand. She squeezed it lightly, hoping to bring him some comfort, but he only gave her a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.Dante shook his head slightly. “Princess, I think you need a nice dinner and a warm bath so you stop worrying,” he said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. His voice was calm, but she could tell he was trying to shift the attention away from himself.Sophia sighed, tilting her head as she studied him. “I’m not hungry,” she murmured. “
The morning light filtered through the large windows, casting a soft golden glow across the room. Sophia stirred beneath the silky sheets, letting out a small, sleepy sigh as she slowly woke up. Her body stretched instinctively, her arms reaching above her head as she let out a gentle yawn. The warmth of the bed made her want to curl back up, but the absence of another body beside her made her pause.She turned to face Dante, expecting to find him lying beside her, his strong arms wrapped around her like always. But instead, all she met was an empty space. The sheets on his side were slightly rumpled, the warmth of his body long gone.Frowning, Sophia sat up, running a hand through her hair. She glanced around the room, hoping to hear the sound of the shower running or maybe footsteps from the balcony. But there was nothing.With a small sigh, she slipped out of bed, the cool air brushing against her bare skin. She walked to the closet and grabbed one of Dante’s shirts, pulling it ov
Dante sat in his office, his fingers pressed against his temples as he replayed everything that had happened the day before. The moment his men told him that Sophia had been at Miguel De Luca’s house, something inside him shattered. Over and over again, the words echoed in his head, tormenting him like a cruel, endless loop.Sophia was at Miguel’s house.This very thought made his chest tighten painfully. His biggest enemy. A man he despised with every fiber of his being. A man who had taken so much from him. A man he can’t wait to crush down. And now, the woman he loved—his Sophia—had been seen entering that monster’s home.Dante clenched his jaw, his fingers curling into tight fists on the desk. Every time he thought of the possibility that they were somehow connected, that Sophia might have a link to Miguel, it felt like a blade twisting deep inside him. He wanted to believe there was another explanation. He wanted to believe she had a reason for being there, a reason that had noth
Sophia leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment, trying to relax. It had been an exhausting day—she had attended to multiple patients, sat through long meetings, and dealt with the endless responsibilities that came with her job. Yet, despite the heavy workload, her mind wasn’t focused on any of it. Instead, it was clouded with thoughts of Dante.She sighed and opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling.What’s happening to him?The question echoed in her mind.Dante hadn’t called her all day. Not even a text. That was so unlike him. He always found a moment, no matter how busy he was, to check on her, to hear her voice, even if it was just a simple “How’s your day, princess?” But today, there had been nothing. Silence. And it was driving her insane.Her fingers tapped anxiously against her desk as she tried to convince herself that he was just very busy. Maybe he had an urgent meeting. Maybe something at work needed his full attention. But then, she remembered how he had
Sophia stepped into her apartment, locking the door behind her with trembling hands. The moment she was inside, she let out a shaky breath, her body sagging against the door.She just wanted to be alone.Away from the world.Away from the cruel eyes watching her every move.Away from the endless whispers and accusations that clung to her like shadows.Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady herself, but the lump in her throat refused to go away.Slowly, she made her way to the bathroom.Lately, it had become her only place of relieve. The one place where she could let herself break without fear.She turned on the shower, watching as the water streamed down like a thin curtain.Steam rose, filling the small space with warmth, but it did nothing to soothe the coldness in her heart.Without hesitation, she stepped in, letting the water pour down her body.At first, the sensation was comforting—the heat wrapping around her, offering her a false sense of security.But then, as the
Sophia was on her way to work, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly as she tried to focus on the road ahead. But no matter how hard she tried, her mind kept drifting back to everything she had fought so hard to bury. Maybe it was because Dante used to drop her off some mornings. She had gotten used to stepping outside and seeing him waiting for her, leaning casually against his car with that soft look in his eyes, as if she was the only thing that mattered. If she wasn’t with him, he would still be there sometimes, parked outside her apartment, his gaze full of warmth and patience.He used to pick her up too, like it was the most natural thing in the world. No matter how busy he was, no matter how many important things demanded his attention, he always made time for her. It had become a part of her life, a quiet but steady comfort.But now, there was only silence.The seat beside her was empty. The space that once held his presence, his quiet strength, now felt cold and u
CHAPTER 97Five days had passed. Five long, agonizing days since he had last seen her, touched her, or heard her voice.Dante sat on the balcony of one of his many mansions, his body still but his mind in chaos. The cool night air brushed against his skin, but it did nothing to calm him. He held a glass of wine in one hand, slowly swirling the dark liquid, watching how the deep red color glistened under the soft glow of the moonlight.His thoughts were consumed by her—Sophia.He could still see her standing there, right where he was now. The memory of her was so vivid, it was as if she had just been there moments ago. He could almost hear the soft sound of her laughter, feel the warmth of her body against his when he had come up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her close.He closed his eyes, letting the memory wash over him.That night had been one of the rare moments when he had allowed himself to be vulnerable. They had stood here, gazing at the night sky, los
Sophia stepped into her apartment, her entire body feeling weak, as if all the strength had drained out of her. The moment the door shut behind her, a heavy silence filled the space, wrapping around her like an invisible weight. Her chest felt tight, her throat burned— before she could stop herself, a sob broke free.She staggered to the couch, her legs barely holding her up. As soon as she reached it, she collapsed onto the cushions, burying her face in her hands. The tears came in uncontrollable waves, her shoulders shaking violently as she cried.It wasn’t just fear. It wasn’t just exhaustion. It was everything.The betrayal. The heartbreak. The helplessness.Her mind replayed every terrifying moment—Luca’s cruel smirk, his hands yanking her hair, the cold barrel of his gun pressed against her skin. She could still hear his voice whispering threats in her ear, still feel the suffocating fear that had gripped her when she thought she wouldn’t make it out alive.And then there was Da
Dante drove straight to his mansion, his grip on the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white. His jaw was clenched, his mind clouded with rage and frustration. The moment he pulled into the driveway, he didn’t waste a second. He stormed out of the car, slamming the door behind him, and headed straight for the dungeon.As he descended the cold, dark staircase, his boots echoed menacingly against the stone floor. The scent of blood and sweat filled the air, thick and suffocating. He got the dungeon and he saw that Martin had already carried out his orders. The five men he had assigned to protect Sophia were tied together against a metal pole, their heads hanging low, their bodies bruised and bloodied from the initial beating.But it wasn’t enough.Dante’s eyes darkened as he rolled up his sleeves, his muscles flexing with barely restrained fury. Without hesitation, he strode toward them, his breath heavy, his entire being vibrating with anger.“You useless pieces of shit,
Sophia felt a small wave of relief rush through her as she saw Dante standing there, powerful and untouchable. She felt like she could breathe again.Luca could no longer hurt her.Dante wouldn’t let him.But even with that relief, a sharp pain still stabbed at her chest. Her mind was clouded with the cruel words she had overheard earlier—the words Dante had spoken.“Do whatever you want to do. I don’t care about her.”That sentence echoed in her head like a curse.Was that how he really felt?Had everything between them been a lie?She recalled how he used to say she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, how he undressed her with such tenderness, whispering sweet words against her skin. Every touch, every promise—were they all lies?Her heart ached with confusion, with betrayal.But there was no time to dwell on it now.Dante took slow, calculated steps toward her, his presence dominating the room. Before reaching her, he turned his head and gave Luca one final look.That lo
“Oh, you’re threatening me?” Luca let out a dark, amused laugh. His eyes gleamed with twisted excitement as he pushed himself up from his chair. He began pacing back and forth like a caged predator, his voice rising with each word.“So you think you can scare me?” he sneered. “Your threats are empty, Dante. Completely useless. You’ll never find me. You’ll never see your woman again. And you already know you don’t want to mess with me.” His lips curled into a wicked grin as he taunted Dante. “Little thing,” he added mockingly, shaking his head as if Dante was nothing but a joke to him.Dante, however, remained eerily calm. His grip on the phone tightened slightly, but his voice stayed steady, cold, and lethal.“They’re not threats, Luca,” he said, his tone dangerously low. “It’s an order.”Luca stopped pacing, his smirk faltering for just a second.“Try me,” Dante continued, his voice dripping with authority. “Lay another finger on her, and you will see exactly what happens.”There was
Luca’s voice dripped with mockery as he spoke. “I have your princess, no! sister-in-law right here with me.” He let out a low chuckle. “She really is beautiful. No wonder you’ve been hiding her from us. No wonder you refuse to do what must be done.”He paused, savoring the moment before continuing, his tone laced with venom. “The great Dante Gilmatro, the man who waited years—decades—to bring down Miguel De Luca, is now hesitating. You spent your whole life plotting revenge against the man who murdered our father, and yet, now that he’s right under your nose, you do nothing. Because of a woman, you’ve abandoned everything.”Luca sneered, watching Sophia’s reaction from the corner of his eye. “Tell me, brother, do you think she’ll still love you when she finds out the truth? That the man she adores, the man she trusts, is plotting to eliminate her father.He let his words hang in the air before delivering the final blow. “And we both know the truth, don’t we? If you really wanted Migue
Sophia’s mind felt like it was trapped in a thick, suffocating fog. A dull pounding echoed inside her skull, each throb reminding her that something was terribly wrong. Her limbs felt heavy, her body sluggish as if she had been pulled from the depths of unconsciousness too soon. She tried to move, but her muscles screamed in protest.The air around her smelled damp, mixed with something metallic—blood, perhaps? The coldness of the surface beneath her seeped into her skin, making her shiver. As her senses slowly returned, so did the memories. The road. The car. The sudden opening of the door. The rag pressed against her nose. And then—darkness.Her eyelids fluttered weakly before they finally opened.The first thing she saw were piercing eyes watching her.A man sat in front of her, his gaze fixed on her like a predator who had been patiently waiting for his prey to wake. His face was unfamiliar—sharp features, a menacing smirk curving his lips. The dim, flickering light above barely i