POV: Beatrice Sophia didn’t bother with pleasantries."You look awful," she said, her gaze steady, sharp. "Problems with Ryuu?"I exhaled slowly, sinking into my seat at the small café. My fingers curled around the warmth of the teacup, grounding myself. Outside, the city hummed with life, indifferent to the storm brewing inside me."I hate that he’s always the first topic," I muttered, voice tight.It was inevitable. Every conversation circled back to Ryuu, to the Morunaga name that clung to me like chains. Even when I tried to escape, he was there, lurking in the shadows of my thoughts."Alright." Sophia leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, studying me. "So, what do you want to talk about?"I forced a smile, but even I could feel how brittle it was."How are your classes?" I asked, reaching for anything that wasn’t my life.Sophia’s expression darkened instantly, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup."Don’t get me started," she groaned. "I spent days on an essay, a
POV: BeatriceThe mansion was silent, but the weight of its presence pressed down on me, suffocating. Every breath felt stolen, every step a betrayal. I moved through the corridors with the precision of someone who knew the cost of getting caught. The cold marble beneath my feet sent a chill up my spine, grounding me in the reality of what I was doing. I was running. Escaping. Finally breaking free from the cage that had held me captive for too long.Each shadow felt like a threat, each flicker of movement a warning. My pulse hammered in my ears as I reached the grand entrance, fingers trembling against the cool brass of the door handle. The night air hit me like a slap, crisp and unforgiving, but I welcomed it. It was the first real breath I had taken in months.I didn’t have time to hesitate. The estate was crawling with guards, men who answered to Ryuu, men who wouldn’t hesitate to drag me back inside. My only advantage was that they never expected me to run. Not like this.Then, f
POV: Beatrice"Shit…" I muttered, pressing my face into the pillow, trying—failing—to smother the rising panic. "What have I done? How could I forget how powerful Ryuu is?"Sophia’s firm grip on my shoulder pulled me back. Her fingers squeezed lightly, grounding me until I finally lifted my eyes, the heat of my tears still burning my cheeks. Her gaze was steady, an anchor in the middle of my storm."Beatrice, look at me," she said, her voice softer now but no less certain. "Nothing bad is going to happen to you. My uncle won’t let it. We’re here for you. I’m here for you." She squeezed my hand, her warmth seeping into my skin, offering a comfort I hadn’t expected. "If you need to talk, I’m ready to listen. About that night… or whatever is going on between you and Ryuu. This stays between us."The tears kept falling, uncontrollable. I never imagined I’d have someone like Sophia, someone willing to fight for me. Before my marriage, support was scarce, limited to my aunt… and my cousins.
POV: BeatriceHis hold tightened for a moment before he pulled back just enough to scan my face, his eyes running over every inch of me like he needed to memorize my existence, to confirm I was real. There was no mistaking the raw emotion in his expression—a mix of fury, fear, and something darker, something unspoken."Come home," he said, his voice both a command and a plea.I shook my head, my resolve solidifying even as my body ached from his warmth. "I can’t. I won’t."His brows furrowed, his grip tightening just slightly. "Why not?""That house..." I swallowed hard, my throat tight. "It suffocates me. I shouldn’t be afraid to exist just because it doesn’t fit your idea of safety.""It’s for your protection!" he snapped, his desperation cutting through the anger.I met his gaze head-on, forcing him to see the truth in my eyes. "This isn’t about protection, Ryuu. It’s about control. And I can’t live like that. The more you try to trap me, the harder I’ll fight to escape."His nostr
POV: RyuuI had been restless since leaving Vincenzo’s estate. The drive back felt like a slow suffocation, each mile stretching the unbearable silence pressing against my skull. The second we pulled into the garage, I tossed the keys aside and sank into the passenger seat, my knuckles aching from how tightly I had gripped the wheel. I couldn’t bring myself to go inside. Not yet.Leaving Beatrice there had been the right decision. That’s what I told myself, over and over. But the gnawing unease in my gut told a different story.I had woken early that morning, ready to force the conversation we kept avoiding. I wouldn’t allow this distance to stretch any further. I wouldn’t let her slip through my fingers. But instead of finding her in bed, still curled in sleep, I found empty sheets.She was gone.The panic had been instant, raw. A vice around my ribs. Every worst-case scenario slammed into me at once. The house wasn’t impenetrable—someone had already gotten to her once. If they had c
POV: BeatriceIt gnawed at me, an ache I couldn’t ignore. My family had let me go too easily. The realization cut deep, deeper than I wanted to admit. They had fought when I was married off, but now? Nothing. I had been ripped from them, and in the void they left behind, all that remained were my father’s lies and betrayals.I swallowed hard, fingers twitching over my phone. Where was Dario? Had the Morunagas done something to him? Had he returned to Italy without telling me? Why wasn’t he answering my calls?I could dial Ryuu, demand answers—but what would I even say? If he had hurt Dario, he wouldn’t admit it. And if he hadn’t, would I even believe him?Maybe I should reach out to my other cousins. But if Ryuu was involved, and they found out, I’d be the one who set everything ablaze. A war would break out, and I would be trapped in the center of it. No matter how distant I felt from them, my loyalties were now bound to Ryuu. If a battle ignited between our families, I wouldn’t have
POV: BeatriceI hesitated before answering, pressing the device to my ear. "Didn’t think you’d respond so fast."A pause. His silence was thick, suffocating."You’re drunk."How the hell could he tell? I had barely spoken. I blinked, trying to remember how many drinks I’d had. My mind blurred around the number."Where are you?" His voice sharpened, all warmth stripped away.I frowned, glancing at Caleb, who was still watching me with interest. "Where are we again?""The Alchemist," Caleb answered, smirking. "You really can’t hold your liquor, huh?""Did you hear that?" I asked, ignoring Caleb entirely. "Ryuu?"Silence. Then, a sharp, clipped response."Who are you with?""Sophia and some of her friends."The line went dead.I stared at the screen, dumbfounded."Everything okay?" Caleb asked, resting a casual hand on my shoulder. I shrugged him off, irritation flaring hot in my veins.What a bastard. He called just to hang up? It was the first time I had heard his voice in two weeks, a
Point of View: BeatriceLeaving my cozy little house in Palermo wasn’t something I wanted, but my father had other plans. With my twenty-first birthday looming, he organized a family trip to the Bahamas. A celebration, he called it, though I had a sinking feeling there was more to it. My father didn’t do simple. ***“Dad?” I called, my voice soft as I wandered barefoot through the hall of the rented villa. The place was beautiful, all sleek wood floors and breezy blue walls, but the tension in the air made it feel stifling. I followed the trail of muted voices and faint cigar smoke to the office—his sanctuary, even on vacation. Knocking sharply, I pushed the door open without waiting. He was seated behind a massive desk, head bowed, hands pressed to his temples. “Bea,” he said, looking up, his usual sharpness dulled by exhaustion. I crossed the room in seconds, throwing my arms around him. He held me close, his hand brushing through my hair, but there was a stiffness to his
POV: BeatriceI hesitated before answering, pressing the device to my ear. "Didn’t think you’d respond so fast."A pause. His silence was thick, suffocating."You’re drunk."How the hell could he tell? I had barely spoken. I blinked, trying to remember how many drinks I’d had. My mind blurred around the number."Where are you?" His voice sharpened, all warmth stripped away.I frowned, glancing at Caleb, who was still watching me with interest. "Where are we again?""The Alchemist," Caleb answered, smirking. "You really can’t hold your liquor, huh?""Did you hear that?" I asked, ignoring Caleb entirely. "Ryuu?"Silence. Then, a sharp, clipped response."Who are you with?""Sophia and some of her friends."The line went dead.I stared at the screen, dumbfounded."Everything okay?" Caleb asked, resting a casual hand on my shoulder. I shrugged him off, irritation flaring hot in my veins.What a bastard. He called just to hang up? It was the first time I had heard his voice in two weeks, a
POV: BeatriceIt gnawed at me, an ache I couldn’t ignore. My family had let me go too easily. The realization cut deep, deeper than I wanted to admit. They had fought when I was married off, but now? Nothing. I had been ripped from them, and in the void they left behind, all that remained were my father’s lies and betrayals.I swallowed hard, fingers twitching over my phone. Where was Dario? Had the Morunagas done something to him? Had he returned to Italy without telling me? Why wasn’t he answering my calls?I could dial Ryuu, demand answers—but what would I even say? If he had hurt Dario, he wouldn’t admit it. And if he hadn’t, would I even believe him?Maybe I should reach out to my other cousins. But if Ryuu was involved, and they found out, I’d be the one who set everything ablaze. A war would break out, and I would be trapped in the center of it. No matter how distant I felt from them, my loyalties were now bound to Ryuu. If a battle ignited between our families, I wouldn’t have
POV: RyuuI had been restless since leaving Vincenzo’s estate. The drive back felt like a slow suffocation, each mile stretching the unbearable silence pressing against my skull. The second we pulled into the garage, I tossed the keys aside and sank into the passenger seat, my knuckles aching from how tightly I had gripped the wheel. I couldn’t bring myself to go inside. Not yet.Leaving Beatrice there had been the right decision. That’s what I told myself, over and over. But the gnawing unease in my gut told a different story.I had woken early that morning, ready to force the conversation we kept avoiding. I wouldn’t allow this distance to stretch any further. I wouldn’t let her slip through my fingers. But instead of finding her in bed, still curled in sleep, I found empty sheets.She was gone.The panic had been instant, raw. A vice around my ribs. Every worst-case scenario slammed into me at once. The house wasn’t impenetrable—someone had already gotten to her once. If they had c
POV: BeatriceHis hold tightened for a moment before he pulled back just enough to scan my face, his eyes running over every inch of me like he needed to memorize my existence, to confirm I was real. There was no mistaking the raw emotion in his expression—a mix of fury, fear, and something darker, something unspoken."Come home," he said, his voice both a command and a plea.I shook my head, my resolve solidifying even as my body ached from his warmth. "I can’t. I won’t."His brows furrowed, his grip tightening just slightly. "Why not?""That house..." I swallowed hard, my throat tight. "It suffocates me. I shouldn’t be afraid to exist just because it doesn’t fit your idea of safety.""It’s for your protection!" he snapped, his desperation cutting through the anger.I met his gaze head-on, forcing him to see the truth in my eyes. "This isn’t about protection, Ryuu. It’s about control. And I can’t live like that. The more you try to trap me, the harder I’ll fight to escape."His nostr
POV: Beatrice"Shit…" I muttered, pressing my face into the pillow, trying—failing—to smother the rising panic. "What have I done? How could I forget how powerful Ryuu is?"Sophia’s firm grip on my shoulder pulled me back. Her fingers squeezed lightly, grounding me until I finally lifted my eyes, the heat of my tears still burning my cheeks. Her gaze was steady, an anchor in the middle of my storm."Beatrice, look at me," she said, her voice softer now but no less certain. "Nothing bad is going to happen to you. My uncle won’t let it. We’re here for you. I’m here for you." She squeezed my hand, her warmth seeping into my skin, offering a comfort I hadn’t expected. "If you need to talk, I’m ready to listen. About that night… or whatever is going on between you and Ryuu. This stays between us."The tears kept falling, uncontrollable. I never imagined I’d have someone like Sophia, someone willing to fight for me. Before my marriage, support was scarce, limited to my aunt… and my cousins.
POV: BeatriceThe mansion was silent, but the weight of its presence pressed down on me, suffocating. Every breath felt stolen, every step a betrayal. I moved through the corridors with the precision of someone who knew the cost of getting caught. The cold marble beneath my feet sent a chill up my spine, grounding me in the reality of what I was doing. I was running. Escaping. Finally breaking free from the cage that had held me captive for too long.Each shadow felt like a threat, each flicker of movement a warning. My pulse hammered in my ears as I reached the grand entrance, fingers trembling against the cool brass of the door handle. The night air hit me like a slap, crisp and unforgiving, but I welcomed it. It was the first real breath I had taken in months.I didn’t have time to hesitate. The estate was crawling with guards, men who answered to Ryuu, men who wouldn’t hesitate to drag me back inside. My only advantage was that they never expected me to run. Not like this.Then, f
POV: Beatrice Sophia didn’t bother with pleasantries."You look awful," she said, her gaze steady, sharp. "Problems with Ryuu?"I exhaled slowly, sinking into my seat at the small café. My fingers curled around the warmth of the teacup, grounding myself. Outside, the city hummed with life, indifferent to the storm brewing inside me."I hate that he’s always the first topic," I muttered, voice tight.It was inevitable. Every conversation circled back to Ryuu, to the Morunaga name that clung to me like chains. Even when I tried to escape, he was there, lurking in the shadows of my thoughts."Alright." Sophia leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, studying me. "So, what do you want to talk about?"I forced a smile, but even I could feel how brittle it was."How are your classes?" I asked, reaching for anything that wasn’t my life.Sophia’s expression darkened instantly, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup."Don’t get me started," she groaned. "I spent days on an essay, a
POV: BeatriceIt all made sense now. Every twisted, broken piece of the puzzle fell into place. My mother had taken her own life because of his betrayal. And me? I had been cast into the very family that had destroyed her, all to soothe the wounded pride of a man who deserved nothing but ruin."You… you’re disgusting," I spat, tears burning my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.He didn’t try to defend himself. He simply lowered his head in disgrace."I am many things," he admitted bitterly.My hands trembled with unspent rage, my nails digging into my palms. I looked at him then, and all I could feel was contempt."A father isn’t one of them. And neither is a husband."He stepped toward me, but the warning in my eyes kept him frozen in place. He wouldn’t dare.The shrill buzz of a phone sliced through the suffocating silence. He glanced at the device, relief flashing across his face as he reached for his jacket."I have to go," he muttered, not daring to meet my eyes.I nodded, unm
POV: BeatriceI woke to a weight pressing against my chest, familiar and suffocating. Next to me, Ryuu worked in silence, the dim glow of his screen flickering across his face. No words were exchanged. I couldn’t even look at him properly when I stepped out of the shower, dressed, and left the room with the sole purpose of avoiding him.The irony wasn’t lost on me. He had spent our entire marriage keeping me at a distance, and now, I was the one retreating. A cruel reversal, but necessary. Until I knew the truth—until I confirmed whether Ryuu had a hand in the lies surrounding my mother—I couldn’t stand being near him.The photographs I had found haunted me. My mother had not died in a hospital after my birth, as I had been told. No, she had died here, in the Morunaga estate. The weight of that revelation made my stomach churn. I needed answers. And I knew exactly where to get them.Downstairs, I found Fukui in the kitchen, his usual composed demeanor at odds with the storm inside me.