Viella’s POV

Reaching my car, I finally skidded into the driveway of my villa. Relief? Yeah, it lasted about three seconds-because there were a dozen sleek, black cars parked out infront of my house

I froze.

"Wait... did Dante already find me??" My voice cracked like a bad radio signal. "How is that even possible? He was literally there in police station. Did he take a flying jet or what?!"

My palms got sweaty. Okay, calm down Viella. Breath in. Breath out. Mafia boss or not, I wasn’t about to roll over.

So I did the bravest (and dumbest) thing possible.

I kicked open my own front door.

"If you dare to hurt Lily, I won’t forgive you, Dan-"

I choked mid-sentence. My jaw hit the floor.

"...Huh?? MARCELLA??"

Yep. Not Dante, it was my lovely older sister, Marcella, lounging on my couch like a queen legs crossed, sipping MY coffee like. Around her? A couple of scary-looking men in suits

Classic Marcella

She lifted her cup slowly, blew on it, and gave me that mocking little smirk.

"What the hell are you doing here MARCELLA!" I shouted.

She kept sipping her coffee."Just paying a little visit to my ’dead’ little baby sister." She dragged out the word dead like it was some inside joke only she found funny.

I blinked. "So at this point, basically everyone knows I’m alive. Unlike those stupid reporters," I muttered under my breath. Great. So much for staying low-key.

I crossed my arms, glaring at her. "What do you want, Marcella?"

She yawned, stretched, and said oh-so-casually, "Nothing really. I was bored, you know? It was boring without your dramas and news back in home. Thought checking out your new house might be... entertaining."

I wanted to strangle her with my both two hands if possible I would use legs too.

"...How did you even find out about this place? About me?"

Her smirk widened "Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. Baby sister. You already know when I get bored I do everything to get some entertainment"

My stomach dropped. Crap. I remember how she would use her own sister as a shooting target in childhood.

---

Marcella tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief as she scanned the living room. Then her gaze flicked right back to me.

"I loved your closet very much."

My eyes narrowed. "...Did you-"

I froze, glaring down at her boots.

Oh. My. God.

"HEYYYY, THAT’S MINEEEEEE YOU WITCHHHH!"

I bolted toward her but her bricks in suite blocked me mid-rush

Marcella just sipped her coffee, all smug. "Oops. Your man’s ain’t here no more to protect you."

Oh, that did it.

"LILY!" I barked.

From the corner, Lily appeared throwing the Tray, ouch my expensive glasses.

Before the thug even realized what happened, she jabbed him right at the neck-poof! He dropped like a sack of potatoes.

I grinned like I just won the lottery. Striding past Marcella, I grabbed Lily’s hand and announced, "I might not have my man, but I got this one-who can beat your mans."

I puffed my chest like a proud mom. Meanwhile, Lily just... stood there, like a robot she is.

Marcella burst out laughing. Full-on laugh, clutching her stomach. "Like I said... entertainment." She reached out, patted my shoulder "Thanks for keeping me entertained after so long."

She started walking toward the door. "See you later. I am entertained enough."

My eyes widened. "and you’re leaving like that??"

She paused, turning her head with a sly smirk. "Oh? Why? You want me to stay?"

I flailed. "NOOOOO. Get OUT. And don’t you DARE tell anyone about me being here!"

Her laughter cut, eyes sharp now, voice chilling. "Don’t worry, little sister. I don’t want you back in my life either. So keep running away, keep pretending like you’re dead. It’s more fun that way"

With that, she walked out. Cars revved, and just like that-Marcella was gone.

I collapsed onto my couch, groaning into a pillow. "Tsk... troublesome witch..."

Then it hit me.

My blood went cold. Dante.

I shot up so fast Lily almost dropped the glass she was carrying. Grabbing her arm, I shouted, "LILY, WE NEED TO RUN!!! DANTE IS HERE!!!"

"What??" Lily blinked, confused.

"Yes! Guess what happened-" I began rambling, spilling the whole chaotic story from the police station.

Her jaw dropped. "You should’ve kicked him where the sun doesn’t shine, lady. What a rich brat."

I groaned. "I KNOW, right?! But then the police came, and after that-ugh."

She shrugged, all too calm. "I knew it. Lord Dante won’t leave you that easily"

I wanted to scream. IT’S NOT EVEN IN THE SCRIPT, DUHHHH!

Instead, I yanked her toward the hallway. "Whatever. Let’s pack up. We’re leaving before He decides to show up"

---

Finally, the last bag zipped shut. Lily stood up arms crossed, eyes scanning the villa

"We leave at midnight. Less eyes, less trouble," I whispered.

She nodded. "Good plan, Lady Viella."

"Good plan? Of course it is, I’m a certified genius," I muttered, then collapsed onto the couch

Only two more hours. Two hours and we’d be free again.

I wandered toward the window, gazing out at the view I had come to secretly love. My chest tightened.

"...I’m actually gonna miss this petty little place."

Grabbing a hoodie, I slipped out the back and padded down the small path toward the beach. My sneakers crunched against the sand as I plopped onto the old bench.

The waves hit the shore again and again,

For once, I wasn’t planning, scheming, or panicking about mafia psychos and annoying sisters. Just me, the sea, and the sound of freedom waiting somewhere out there.

My eyes grew heavier with each crash of the waves. My head dipped. I didn’t even realize when my body slumped against the bench.

Darkness. Sleep.

Just before my mind slipped completely, I thought I heard something-a low hum of an engine far off, tires against gravel.

But by then, it was too late.

---

Dante’s POV

"WHERE AM I ?! WHO ARE YOU? LET ME GO!!!"

Rowan’s panicked voice echoed in the empty room, rattling against the concrete walls. His wrists strained against the ropes biting into his skin. Bleeding.

The heavy door clicked. Footsteps entered.

"Oh, so you finally decided to show up, fu*ker! My dad called, didn’t he? Hah-" Rowan’s laugh died in his throat the moment his eyes landed on the man before him.

Cold, sharp eyes. An aura that sucked the air out of the room.

Dante.

"Oh... your dad?" Dante’s lips curled into a mocking smirk. "Yeah, he called. Begging me not to end our little business arrangement."

Rowan’s face went pale. His throat bobbed. "You... you’re...Dan-"

"Yes." Dante’s voice was like ice. "Dante Velerio Moretti."

The name alone made Rowan’s entire body seize up. His bravado shattered, replaced by trembling fear.

"Please-I didn’t do anything-I swear-"

Dante’s voice cut through him like a blade.

"Listen carefully, little boy. You should learn how to respect women. Especially..." He stepped closer, pulling something from his pocket.

A photograph.

"...my woman."

Rowan’s eyes widened. His lips trembled. "This bit- I mean-she’s YOURS?! I didn’t know-if I knew she was your property, I would never-please forgive me, please!"

The room fell into silence except for Rowan’s frantic breathing.

Dante’s gaze sharpened, his voice deadly calm.

"Which hand was it?"

Rowan blinked. "W-what?"

"Which hand did you raise against her?" Dante pointed casually, his gloved finger tracing the air. "This one?"

"No-please-I didn’t-"

The metallic click of a gun echoed louder than Rowan’s sobs.

BANG.

The scream that followed was cut short, leaving only the stench of fear and gunpowder hanging in the room.

Dante exhaled, wiping a splatter of blood from his cheek with his thumb. His eyes glinted with something darker than anger-possession.

"And remember this," his voice dropped into a near growl, "...she is not my property. She is my fiancée. My future wife."

He turned, his tailored suit still pristine despite the crimson drops staining it, and strode out of the room without a glance back.

The door opened. One of his men stood stiffly, bowing his head, gulping as the tension in the air burned his lungs.

"Boss," the soldier said, voice trembling.

Dante’s eyes flickered to him. "Is everything ready?"

The man nodded quickly. "Yes, Boss. All ready."

"Good."

Dante adjusted his cufflinks with calm precision, the faint smirk returning to his lips.

Because Viella’s little game of freedom was ending.

"Time to finally meet you again my future wife"

---

Viella’s POV

The cold night wind bit at my skin, making me curl up tighter on the bench. My eyelids were heavy, exhausted.. I shifted, mumbling in my sleep.

Suddenly, something warm draped over me.

"Thanks, Lily..." I muttered, pulling it closer, hugging it like a pillow. Comforting.

But then-

That smell.

Not soap or flowers like Lily. Not the faint scent of my villa’s detergent. No. This was heavier. Musky. Familiar.

Expensive Cologne

My brow furrowed even in half-sleep. "...Lily? Why do you smell like a man?"

I forced my eyes open. The world was blurry, dark, only the faint glow of the street lamps flickering. My vision steadied-enough to see a shadow towering above me.

Tall. Broad

My heart lurched.

"Oh my god a creep-" I scrambled up, panic shooting through me, but my legs betrayed me, slipping against the damp wood of the bench.

Strong hands caught me before I hit the ground.

One arm braced firm around my waist. The heat of his body pressed too close.

And then-

That voice.

"You seem to have lost some weight, Viella." A pause. His grip tightened just enough to remind me I wasn’t escaping. "...Or should I say... Vivien?"

My stomach dropped. My chest clenched.

That voice.

That name.

Those eyes.

I froze, slowly lifting my gaze. The streetlight caught his face-sharp jaw, cold gaze, lips curved in that haunting half-smirk I knew too well.

Dante.

But-something was different. His eyes weren’t just cold this time. No, there was heat there too. Dark, dangerous heat.

I swallowed hard, pulse racing. My body screamed run, but his grip on my waist held me in place

Okay. Deep breaths, Viella. Deep. Breaths.

Totally fine. Nothing to see here. Just casually being trapped against the bench by Dante Freaking Mafia boss

"We finally met again" he murmured, thumb grazing my jaw like I was some fragile piece of art he could snap in half at any second. His eyes Burning holes through me

Lily. Where the hell was Lily?!

I swallowed hard, squeaking out, "D-Dante... let me go."

"I’ve already let you go once." His voice was all low and gravelly, brushing against my skin like a curse. "Never again."

HELLOOO??

I did the only logical thing.

I tried to shove him.

Bad idea. My palms smacked against his chest, but the man was built like a rock. He didn’t budge an inch. Instead, his arms tightened around my waist, pulling me closer until my nose almost brushed his collar. That expensive cologne filled my head, dizzying

"You’ve lost weight," he muttered, voice annoyingly soft now, like he had the right to sound concerned. "Have you been eating at all? Or are you too busy running from me to take care of yourself?"

My jaw dropped. "Excuse me?! Did you just

fat-shame me in one sentence?!"

His brows arched, unimpressed. "It’s not fat-shaming if I want you healthy."

I blinked at him. "Oh my God, you sound like every toxic boyfriend meme on Instagram."

He tilted his head, amused despite the tension. "And yet... you’re still mine."

"I am NOT yours," I snapped, wriggling "I am an independent woman with rights, dignity, and-and-"

His hand slid up my back, silencing me instantly.

"And what?" he whispered.

I choked. My brain screamed RUNN

"...And I will sue you," I finally managed, though my voice cracked so bad

He chuckled. CHUCKLED. The audacity.

He leaned in held back of my head with his palm and pushed me face towards him before i could protest he kissed me, it wasn’t a small kiss I could feel the desire, the longing...

My knees wobbled. Oh no. I couldn’t faint now. If I fainted, he’d totally bridal-carry me like some mafia romance cliché.

I snapped my head to the side, glaring at the sea "Fine. Congratulations. You found me. Now what? Planning to drag me back and lock me in a gold cage?"

He leaned down, lips brushing dangerously close to my ear. His breath was warm, sending a shiver down my spine

"Not a cage, Vivien," he murmured. "A home."

I froze.

A home?

WHAT WAS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?! 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

suddenly felt a sharp pain on my neck and before my body hit the ground Dante caught me into his embrace

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TO BE CONTINUED