CAMILLA'S POV The door bursts open with such force that the handle slammed against the wall. My breath caught, and I froze.He stood in the doorway, his fury brimmed to melt steel in his eyes, clenching his jaw, his fists shook beside him as if he was about to strike something, or better still, somebody."Camilla," he said my name as if it were a curse. The words fall from his lips without warmth, not semblances of the man who used to love me but cold, venomous anger.I blink, incredulous at what had just transpired. My heart pounds against my chest as I automatically rise from bed, setting space between us. "Dante, hear me out, I don't know how this happened. ""Don't play dumb with me, Camilla. I have seen everything." His voice was very low and menacing. "Tell me, since when has this been happening?"My brain froze. “I don't understand.” My throat clutched. "What are you talking about?""The affair. With Anthony," he spits, and my blood runs cold. "How long has it been happening,
CAMILLA'S POV. I could hardly believe my eyes when Dante came back into the room after some minutes and grasped me, pulling my arm with speed toward the door with so much force. He has never handled me that way before. I ended up behind him-not actually walking, but rather stumbling-with the drumming of my heartbeat in my head so hard that I wondered if he could hear the sound. My mouth goes dry; my hand twists futilely to wrestle free from his grasp as he pulls me after him, dragging me after him with no mercy. "Dante, stop! Please, I swear I didn't do anything!" I yell, my voice shaking, a million thoughts racing in my head but one thing that was clear is just how very angry he is."Enough, Camilla. You're going to see precisely what you have caused." His voice was icy; low growling coursed with shivers down my spine.I tried again to pull away, hands slipping from his grasp, but it was futile. “Dante, please," I beg again, my voice little more than a whisper now. "You're making
Dante's POVThe tension in the car was unbearable, some smothering mix of rage and frustration that seared my chest. Anthony sat quietly in the back, head bowed, but submissiveness from him was a fib I wasn't buying. Alex sat beside me, his jaw clamped shut so tightly with every passing second, I half-expected any minute to hear the cracking sound of his teeth. I insisted on driving myself, I grasped the steering wheel far tighter than the drive required and felt that this should somehow squelch the brewing storm inside.The desperate tone of Camilla still echoed in my head. Probably he is innocent; probably he'd been set up. The words sounded like a dagger plunged into my back. She did not plead for her innocence but for him. The thought lit a new wave of fury inside me.“Eyes on the road, Boss," Alex said finally after what felt like an eternity; his tone was even, but his shoulders told a different story. "We are close to the safe house."I nodded curtly, the words catching in my t
Camilla's POV That cab ride felt like an eternity, the lights of the city smudging together, burning in my eyes. My body stayed closed, arms wrapped around my torso in the hope that it would hold the ache in my chest. Still couldn't put it together, Dante's anger, the poison in his voice when he ordered to kick me out of his mansion.He didn't just throw me out of his mansion, he threw me out of his life, Like I wasn't anything. "Miss, are you all right?" the driver asked me, looking up into his rearview mirror at me.I quickly wiped my eyes and nodded. "Just drive," I muttered.Even a lifetime resident couldn't make anything out of the streets outside except faintly. My father's apartment was looming ahead, tucked away in an undistinguished neighborhood. Then the cab drew up in front, and I felt a little spark of relief. I paid in cash, stepped out, and clutched my bag tightly. The cool night air slapped my face, cooling and nipping all over. My father's apartment was on the thir
Dante's POVHeavy oak doors creaked open, and Luca stepped into the grand entry of the mansion. His presence is still commanding, even after months away. There was barely a trace in the limp in his stride anymore, the only outward trace to the long recovery. He paused to look around him, sharp eyes taking everything in, every shift in the air that might have passed anybody's notice."Dante," he greeted, his voice sure as I remembered. "Dad," I said, forcing a smile and going to him. Clasping his hand firmly before pulling him into a brief embrace. "You're back sooner than expected." "And you look like you have seen better days," he said with an arched brow, stepping back to survey me. "Something wrong?"Just the usual business headaches." I shrugged lightly. "How was your trip?”"Long," he said, passing his coat to a waiting butler. "But it's been productive. Sea air does wonders for the old wounds, you know.”I nodded, ushering him into the sitting room. The last thing I needed was
Dante's P.O.V.The soft glow of the lamp cast long shadows across my study as Alex paced in front of my desk, his movements restive and agitated. Between us were heaped a few sets of documents and files-evidence of years of either loyalty or treachery, depending on how one chose to look at it."This doesn't make sense," Alex growled, rubbing the back of his neck. "The attacks, Jasper's kidnapping, your wife…it all feels too perfectly timed.I leaned back in my chair, eyes fixed on the files but not really seeing them. My thoughts were elsewhere, locked in an endless cycle of memories, doubts, and betrayal."Anthony's been with us for years," I finally said, low and even, firm. "If he is a spy, why now? Why wait this long to make a move?"Alex stopped pacing and turned back to me, his expression grim. "That's why it's working: because no one suspects the man who's been loyal for a decade. He's earned our trust."I drummed my fingers on the desk as frustration mounted. "Trust doesn't ju
Camilla's POVThe knock came on the door, sharp and unexpected. It was already far into the night, and Father had gone to sleep. I lay on my bed frozen, knowing full well what to do. It was almost midnight, and who could it be at this hour?Slowly and cautiously, I approached the door. A figure slouching against the door frame, tattered in his clothes, bruises over his face, as I looked through the peephole, my heart thumping against my chest started working at an uncontrollable rhythm. "Anthony?" I mumbled, absolutely startled. I reached for the door; I was shaking badly while opening it. At first, he could just manage to stay on his feet while swinging it open."Camilla, he said hoarsely; his voice was in shreds.I did not think but reached out and yanked him inside. "Anthony, what's going on? Are you…”"I'll explain, " he said incoherently, cutting in, and swaying, I guided him onto the couch. He was a heavy weight against me; I could see the fresh cut on his forehead, and bloodsta
Dante's POVIt weighed hard within me as I sat at my desk. All the files facing me became jumbled incomprehensibly, just like all those thoughts that literally tied my mind in a knotty situation. The one thing, if it would hold as anything, was inexcusable: sending Camilla out of my life without as much as having a chance to explain. I had allowed my anger, jealousy, and all the lies around us to blind me.I replayed these nights in my mind with Camilla: the rightness of her touch, surety in my world. Then I'd taken a leap and thrown it all away over one man's manipulation: Anthony.I fisted my hands, remembering how for so many years I'd trusted him, leaned on him, called him family. And yet, here I was, questioning it all. All suspicion pointed at him; the possibility that he was the one who had been betraying us both all these years was too much to handle. She must have trusted him too, as her bodyguard, the one she thought would protect her. I failed her.The door creaked open, an
Chapter 171: A Second ChanceCamilla's PovStanding before me was the woman that I once thought was dead. She stared at me. Her steely resolve faltered to tears glistening in her eyes."What did you just call me?" shaking she whispered "Mom? Do...do you know me?"I swallowed hard, my stomach twisted up with nerves. "Yes, I know you," I said, and I could barely keep the shaking out of my voice. "I grew up seeing your picture in my parent's house. They told me you were my biological mother… but that my father, John, killed you. I—I thought you were dead.”“Who were the parents who raised you?” she questioned with a stern expression.“Your brother, Benson, and his wife, Olivia.” Carol's face crumpled, and the sight caught at my chest. She shook as she extended her hands toward me. "Camilla…my daughter. I—I had no idea.""Mom," I whispered. "You were alive, all these years.And with that, consumed with sobs, she pulled me into her arms tightly. It was as though all that noise going on a
Dante's POVThe air hung heavy in the room. Ella sat on the ground at the center of the dimly lit basement, her face a mask of defiance though bruises colored her pale skin. I was leaning casually against the table with Ella's phone in my hand, observing her."You're going to prove stubborn to the end, aren't you?" I said icily.She sneered, her swollen lip curling in defiance. "You'll get nothing from me, Dante."Alex was leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded over his chest as he regarded Ella. "We've tried every method. She's either too loyal or too scared."I clenched my fist. The image of Anthony pulling strings behind her seemed seared into my brain. "Or both," I muttered.The phone buzzed on the desk, and I sprang up, and picked it up-the flashing unknown number danced across the screen. Alex took another step closer, taut."Answer it," he said.I nodded and took it to my ear but didn't say anything. The other line was silent too. And then I just waited. The silence hun
Camilla's POV"Dante, you need to sit down for this," Alex said. His voice came out measured, and I could feel the weight of it. Even Dante's eyes seemed to fill with tension though he leaned against the pillows, he looked much better than this morning, but the body still wasn't up and working just yet.I sat on the edge of the chair beside him, watching as the flicker of every emotion crossed his face. My heart could be pounding against my chest, and I wasn't about to show evidence of it."What's wrong?" Dante asked more like jabbed.Alex gave a quick glance my way before he turned back to him. "Ella faked her pregnancy."His face contorted further, a scrunched-up mess as his gaze soured into an accusing scowl. "What?”"She bribed the doctors," I said. "Also the one that diagnosed and confirmed your condition the first time, the doctor knew about the poisoning but gave us a wrong diagnosis on purpose.” The silent seconds ticked over before Dante's hands actually fisted. "Why? What
Camilla's POV"You're positive she went inside?" I whispered, clenching the steering wheel tightly. I was staring into the entrance of the hospital, my nerves heightened.Alex's voice scratched in my earpiece, firm but wary. "Positive. She just went in. Do you want to back up?” I bit my lip, my fingers dancing on the wheel. "No. Go back home and keep an eye on Dante. It's something I need to deal with myself. Weeks of suspicious behavior on Ella's part had set warning bells ringing in my mind, and today I was going to finally confirm what my gut had been screaming at me all along.I pulled my coat tighter against the biting cold and stepped out of the car. The air was sharp, that kind of chill that burrowed deep in your bones, but I didn't notice. My attention was razor-sharp as I walked briskly across the parking lot and into the warm, sterile lobby of the hospital.Keep your head down. Act normal.The soft chime of the elevator doors slid open, releasing me onto the fourth floor,
Camilla's POV My breath caught as I watched Dante slumped against the headboard, hacking into his lungs. A bit of blood trickled from between his lips and onto his palm and down his hand, spilling onto the sheets. My heart boomed in my chest loud enough to block everything else."Dante!" I shrieked, scrambling onto the bed beside him. "What's going on?”His head swung once in a poor attempt at shaking. "I. I don't know," he spoke in low tones.I grabbed a towel, pressing it to his mouth in hopes of halting the stream of blood while my hands violently shook. "Don't speak. Just breathe. I'm going to call Alex," I said, reaching for my phone.It rang once, and then Alex answered."Camilla? What's going on?""Get here! Now!" I ordered. "Get a doctor, the one that knows what he's doing. Dante is coughing out blood!""What? Is it-""As soon as possible, Alex!" I cut him off, hooking the disconnect button.Dante's hand clutched mine weakly, his eyes searching for mine. "Camilla. I'm fine,"
Camilla's POVI stirred the coffee in my mug, my gaze darting to Dante, who sat on the bed edge, rubbing his temples. He was pale, far too pale. The composed veneer he always wore slumped in exhaustion."You don't look good," I said, placing the mug on the nightstand and sitting beside him.Dante let out a sigh and leaned back against the headboard. "I just need some sleep, Camilla. That's all.""No, it's not," I said, laying a hand on his forehead. He wasn't warm, but his skin felt clammy. "You have been pushing yourself too hard. You look sick, you are going to see the doctor.""I'm fine," he muttered, waving me off. “I don't fall sick.”"Dante, stop being stubborn," I snapped. "If you're fine, then just humor me. Let me take you to the hospital."Before he could disagree, a knock was heard at the door. I gave him a pointed glance before crossing the room and wrenching the door open.There she was, standing with her luggage in hand and looking between regret and resolutions swimming
Camilla's POVThe chill of the night leaned against my skin as I watched Dante's car and a few other cars following him disappear into the distance. Something wasn't quite right with it; it sat in my belly like a weight of bad news. The gestures had been measured, urgent-unnatural. Dante just wasn't one to go off without a scheme in his pocket, and experience told me his schemes came with danger clinging to them like an over-attached lover.I slid into my car, grasping the wheel. "What are you up to now, Dante?" I muttered under my breath.I hung back, careful to stay several car lengths behind. The road opened up before me, twisting and turning into a secluded area. My headlight was off, guided by the dim light of their tail lights.A place where they had stopped gave me the heebie-jeebies; it was dark, isolated, and quiet except for the rustling of leaves in the wind. I could feel my pulse as I drove a distance away and got out of the car.I dropped into a crouch, quiet, and made my
Dante's POVThe only noise within the study room was the whir of machinery around me, all watching and waiting for something to happen. I leaned back in my chair, peering up at the screen in front of me displaying Kate's position. She was sitting in one of the rooms, completely unaware of the bug within her phone as she ran nervous fingers through her hair."You've been watching her every day, you really think he'll call her?" Alex asked, standing behind me."He will," I said, my tone cold with certainty. "Anthony's too smart to leave without trying to tie up his loose ends. And Kate? She's the weakest link."Alex ceased pacing and faced me. "Do you trust her?"I looked at him. "Trust her? No. But guilt makes people do some pretty unpredictable things. She'll lead us to him.”The moment I'd stopped talking, her phone flared to life. My heart quickened, I sat up, gesturing for Alex to quiet. Kate reached for it gingerly and answered."Hello?" she whispered, and the word shook.There wa
Ella's POVI was seated cross-legged in the plush chair in the guest house; the only sound was that of the air conditioner humming away in the dark. I had been staring for minutes on end at the phone in my hand as if it held all the answers I needed. Anthony's name flashed across the screen, I'd been waiting to hear from him for a while now. I answered immediately. "Anthony," I said smoothly, careful that the eagerness didn't leak into my voice. "What a surprise."His voice came through sharp and urgent, and for once betrayed his façade of calm. "Ella, how are things going? Has there been any progress?"I let a small, appeasing smile slide onto my face as my eyes strayed to the window where, below me, sprawled the estate. Dante's empire was heady to look upon, and for the first time, I was inside. Well, it had taken years of planning. "It couldn't go any better," I replied, my tone airy but edgy. "I have gotten closer to Dante, and he has started trusting me again.”"And Camilla?" H