Bold

*CAMILLA’S POV*

“Not at all,” I responded quickly, as his eyes stared intensely at me.

“I got pregnant,” I said expecting a reaction out of him but nothing.

“We haven’t seen for seven months and now you come telling me you’re pregnant.”

‘was he keeping track of the time we spent apart?’ I wondered to myself.

“I said I GOT pregnant. I was discharged the day we met at the hospital.”

He was now looking at me attentively. “We’ve got a kid together Dante,” I added.

“We have a son. And his name is Jas—.” I said before he cut me off with a look of distrust on his face.

“You expect me to just believe you?” He questioned.

“You’re a smart and attentive man. I’m pretty sure you already made inquiries about why I was admitted to the hospital,” I responded putting on a brave face.

I could see a smile curl up on his lips. “So you think you know me now?”

“I don’t want to have to argue with you, Dante. And to answer your question… Yes I know you to some extent and that’s why I brought this,” I said placing Jasper’s hair samples on the table.

He chuckled at my statement. “Did I crack a joke?” I asked.

“You really have changed Camilla. In just these few months,” he responded.

It took me seven years and my death to become this way. I wish I had taken the chance to take my future in my hands back then. But there was no need to cry over spilled coffee, I’d been offered another cup and I was going to drink every sip to my satisfaction.

“So why have you decided to tell me this now?”

“I know family is important to you and I know you won’t let any harm happen to your son.”

“So you’re in danger and you need my help?”

“Yes.”

“If what you’re saying is true, how are you sure I won’t just come save my son and leave you behind?” He asked as he slid the packaged hair samples toward himself. Before he took the package I placed my hands on it stopping him in his tracks.

His question startled me. His words hung in the air, colder than I expected. My throat tightened, and for a moment, I wondered if this was all a mistake. But I couldn't back down. Not now. I wasn’t going to show it or give him the satisfaction he wanted. He was a cold man but at this moment I knew he was just trying to pull my legs.

“I know you won’t do that,” I said confidently.

“You loved your mom and you wouldn’t want your child to grow up without one,” I added letting go of Jasper’s hair samples.

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes—too quick to name. But it was there. Then, just as fast, it was gone, and his expression was replaced with that of bewilderment. It was understandable even I would not have recognized my boldness.

“Here’s my new number. Please contact me when you’ve gotten the results of the DNA test.”

“I’m not asking that you bind yourself to me in marriage. I understand that you have a lover and I have no intention of coming between both of you, all I ask is that you save both me and your son,” I said as I stood up to walk away.

I could see the look of surprise on his face but I couldn't tell if it was because of my actions towards him or because of the statement I made about his lover. I wasn't trying to come between him and the woman he would love. The crush I had on him in the past was now drowned by the suffering I've been through over the years in my first life and I had no plans on trusting anyone but myself. I knew family is important to Dante so I was almost certain that he would come to my aid and to repay his help I would help him escape his tragic death.

“his name is Jasper,” I turned back to say before leaving.

Just when I thought it was over, I bumped into Tom on my way out. I was about to steady myself so I didn’t fall when I saw his hands coming at me. For a split second, I froze as the memories hit me like a wave: Tom’s hand raised high, the sharp sting of his words, the bruises I’d hidden so well. My body reacted before I could stop it, my arms coming up defensively blocking his touch. And then I felt myself losing balance and falling.

I was headed straight for the floor when I felt someone’s strong arms around my waist pulling me up. I had been saved by Dante.

‘How did he get here so fast,’ I thought.

“You seem to enjoy bumping into people and then falling down,” he remarked, a teasing tone in his voice.

My eyes trailed the distance from where we were standing to the table we were seated at and to his face. With a confused expression.

“You’ll fry your brain if you think too much about it,” he said with a smug expression as though answering my internal questions.

I turned to look at Tom who was standing there confused. He was trying to help me but my body reacted the way it did.

“I’m sorr—“ left my lips before Dante cut in saying “We’ll be on our way.” He addressed Tom with an air of finality.

“why didn’t you let me apologize?” I asked as he took my hand taking me out of the restaurant.

“You ask a lot of questions, Camilla.” Dante’s expression had darkened.

“Are you afraid of him?” He asked, his question taking me aback.

“Is he part of the reason you need my help?”

I struggled to get any words out. ‘How could he tell?’ I didn’t think my reaction was that obvious.

“You don’t have to answer. Get in the car. I’ll take you home.”

Surprised at his statement, I got in with no objection.

As we drove, the streets seemed unfamiliar. "Where are we going?" I asked, looking at him curiously.

"To the pharmacy," he replied, his tone etched with hints of anger.

"Pharmacy? Why?" I asked, still confused.

"For your ankle," he said, glancing down at my leg. "You’re limping."

I blinked in surprise. I hadn’t even realized it myself, so when did he?  "I’m fine. It’s just a little sore," I muttered.

"Enough Camilla, just let me do this," he said, not taking his eyes off the road.

When we arrived at the pharmacy, Dante got out, quickly buying what was needed to treat a sprained ankle. I watched him from the car, still processing how he noticed something so small when I hadn’t.

Once we had everything, instead of heading back, Dante parked the car in a nearby lot. He insisted on helping me right there and then.

"You don’t need to—" I began, but he cut me off again, this time with a stern look.

“I told you to just let me.”

He came around to my side of the car, knelt down in front of me, and gently removed my shoe. I watched, stunned as he raised up my dress, revealing my ankle. His touch was unexpectedly tender as he applied the ointment and wrapped the bandage around it with surprising care. It had been a while since anyone paid this much attention to me.

I sat there, speechless, as he tended to my injury. This was Dante Draven—the cold, ruthless man I thought I knew—treating me with such unexpected gentleness. It was... touching.

"Thank you," I finally whispered, feeling more vulnerable than I had in a long time.

"Don’t mention it," he replied, his voice soft but firm as he finished bandaging my ankle.

He got back into his seat and he took me back home.