CHAPTER 010

CHAPTER 010

Matteo had a sleep problem.

First they were flashes, broken images. They were vivid, real now. In every dream he could see her face, the woman who filled his thoughts every waking moment. Lucia.

The first dream appeared suddenly, like a whisper in the night. Now, they were memories—memories of things he couldn’t remember fully. It was as if his old life were clawing, piece by piece, back to him. Every time he awoke, he’d be sweating and panting, his heart racing.

In the dim light of his room, he sat staring at the ceiling, trying to put it all together.

"Why can't I remember?" he muttered under his breath. Frustration built inside of him; his fingers gripped the edge of the desk.

He had seen her before, in these dreams. He could feel it—the betrayal, the pain, the heartbreak. He couldn’t recall the details, but it was like his heart knew her before his mind did. The more he got into the dreams, the more he started to understand.

She wasn’t just some woman from his past. She was something else. He had wronged her, and she held power.

He ran a hand through his hair, looking out the window. It was quiet outside, but inside his mind, chaos was spreading.

The dreams weren’t random. He recognised symbols and things from his past life. The Blood Moon. That damn prophecy. He’d heard it in passing, but now it was a whisper that never left his ears.

The Blood Moon. The one thing that had always been tied to Lucia. He had dreamed of it and felt its weight in his bones. He had been a part of something much darker than he knew.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Matteo’s pulse quickened. Now he didn’t want anyone to disturb him. Not when it was all falling apart.

He called, trying to sound calm, “Come in.”

Dante stepped in through the open door, though his face betrayed nothing.

Dante’s voice was low, but there was something urgent about it. “We need to talk.”

A rising tension washed across Matteo’s temples, and he rubbed them, trying to push it away. “What is it now?”

Dante there was pause before he spoke. “It’s about her. Lucia.”

Matteo’s stomach tightened at the name.

“What about her?” His patience was waning, and Matteo's tone was piercing.

And Dante took a deep breath, and their eyes met each other’s. I’ve been watching her. Something’s wrong, Matteo. She’s up to something.”

Matteo froze. His chest thudded in anger. “What are you talking about?”

Dante came closer and spoke quieter. I don’t think she’s just here for the Roselli family."I think she’s playing us. I think she’s playing you.”

For a second, Matteo’s vision blurred. The words echoed in his mind. She’s playing you. He didn't expect it to hit him so hard. Although Dante had always been straightforward, the way he expressed it resonated deeply with Matteo.

"Do you have any proof?" His voice was rough, Matteo asked.

Dante nodded, his eyes hard. "She’s been too quiet. Too... calculating. She’s manipulating everything behind the scenes. You’ve been letting it happen."

The anger was brewing within his fists, and he clenched. “Do you think I don’t know that?” His voice was a growl now. “She’s the one who haunts my dreams.” I can feel it. “I don’t know what it is about her, but there’s something.”

Matteo eyed Dante carefully, and Dante stepped back. “What are you going to do about it?”

He gritted his teeth, and a thousand thoughts swirled around his mind. The dreams. The prophecy. The blood. He started to put everything together, and his heart raced.

"She's dangerous, Dante," Matteo whispered, his volume a little bit shaky.""She's trying to destroy me,” I think.

Dante raised an eyebrow. “So what’s your plan? Just let her do it.”

Matteo’s eyes darkened. I can’t let her get away with it. I won’t. She won’t destroy me.”

---

Lucia stood in the shadows across the mansion, her heart pounding. She had heard everything. Every word. Every accusation. Matteo was starting to figure it out, she knew. But she couldn’t let him. She couldn’t have him remembering. Not yet.

She had to be patient. It was falling into place on everything. Mr. Roselli was dying, and the Roselli family was weak, soon to be in ruins. But Matteo... Matteo was the real problem.

She must keep him close and away from the truth.

She shivered at the thought of her prediction. The Blood Moon. Something she had experienced with him in their past lives. He had betrayed her because of that.

She couldn’t allow that to happen again.

---

His eyes dark, Matteo stood in the study, staring out the window. His mind was filled with a flurry of ideas. His dreams. Lucia. The Blood Moon. Everything was connected. He knew it now. It was too late before he could act.

He turned to leave, but then something new popped into his head. He needed help. He couldn’t do this alone. He couldn’t do it alone.

He got the message then.

He took out his phone, his eyes darting across the screen. Though simple, it caused his stomach to flip.

“Take her out. She’s a threat. We’ll help you.”

It was from the Vulpin mafia.

---

His mind raced. Dante sat in a dark corner of the mansion. He had been given a job, and he didn’t understand it. The Vulpin mafia wanted him to kidnap Nero’s cousin.

Lucia.

He knew he had only a little time before he found himself caught up in someone else’s mess. He knew something wasn’t right the moment he laid eyes on her. But this was different. This wasn’t just about power. This was personal.

He would never forgive Nero if he did this. If he didn’t, he’d owe the Vulpin mafia. He wanted power, and they were offering it to him.

He ran a hand through his hair so crazily that it left his head a mess. He didn’t know what to do.

But one thing was clear. Lucia was the key. He was going to have to make a choice, and he didn't like it.

---

Lucia walked briskly from one end of her room to another. She had been aware for days that Matteo was approaching the truth. She hadn’t expected him to move so fast. Now, everything was at risk.

He couldn’t get to her first. She had to make sure that didn’t happen.

She froze, and just when she thought she couldn’t feel any more cornered, a knock on her door.

On the other side, a voice called out 'Lucia'. “It’s time.”

She knew who it was. It was him. Matteo.

Her heart pounded with excitement. The walls were closing in on her.

The game was changing. Was she ready for the consequences, though?

What would Matteo do next?