Viellas Pov

My lungs were on fire. My legs jelly but I kept running.

Branches clawed at my arms, the cold air hit me

I didn’t even know where I was going - just away. Away from that mansion And that crazy Alina.

"Fuck, I can’t breathe anymore," I gasped, leaning against a tree, chest heaving.

The night was quiet. Too quiet.

I looked around - nothing but trees, fog, and a road

"Great... I didn’t even see where I was going.."

Suddenly I noticed the surrounding went really quiet all of sudden

"Why I feel like something really terrible gonna happen"

Then -

A bright light came to view

Headlights.

My blood ran cold.

"Oh no, no, no..." I whispered, panicked "Don’t tell me they found me-"

The car engine stopped. The door opened.

Someone stepped out - tall, broad shoulders, slow deliberate steps.

I froze.

The figure was backlit by headlights, so I couldn’t see the face clearly

"Shit...."

My heart screamed RUN and I did. Again.

I don’t wanna die tonight! I haven’t even tried my new moisturizers yet!

The footsteps behind me were heavy. Steady. Getting closer.

"Fvck off, whoever you are!" I yelled, half crying, half panting.

Then arms.

A strong grip wrapped around my waist and yanked me back hard. My breath hitched the moment my back collapsed with a hard chest

"Got you," a deep voice growled, breath brushing against my ear.

That voice.

That tone.

No. No no no. DONT TELL ME-

When I turned, the headlights caught his face - and my heart dropped straight to my stomach.

"D-Dante?" I squeaked, my voice small.

The moment I saw him, I froze.

His hair was bit messy, tie loose, the veins in his neck visible.

His eyes - dark, sharp, furious

burned into mine

"Piccola traditrice," he muttered under his breath.

"haha-hi Mr. Fiancé!" I flashed him with a fake smile, hands raised, waving at him dumbfounded.

"You really thought you could run away from me?"

"Ran? Me? Nooo." I laughed nervously. "You see, I was just out for a... uh... night walk! Needed some fresh air-"

He arched a brow. "In the woods?"

"Y-yeah! Nature therapy! So relaxing!"

"Relaxing?" His voice dropped lower. "Then why were you running like a frightened rabbit?"

I gulped. "I... saw a snake?"

He stepped closer. His scent hit me -

"Try again."

"I sleepwalked?"

His lips twitched - not in amusement, but Annoyances

"I told you once, Viella - you can lie to everyone, but not to me. I see through every fake smile of yours."

Then he noticed my legs - scraped, bruised, trembling. His expression shifted slightly. The anger didn’t fade... it just changed shape.

He bent down, eyes gliding over my knees, his jaw tightening. "You hurt yourself while running away from me"

"I’m fine-"

Before I could finish, he scooped me up like I weighed nothing.

"Wait-Dante! Put me down! I can walk!"

"Clearly," he said dryly, his voice low as he carried me toward the car. "Right into the middle of nowhere."

"I swear it’s not what you think!" I blurted. "It’s all a misunderstanding!"

"Oh really?" he murmured, eyes glinting. "Then enlighten me, Mia Amore. What exactly am I supposed to think when my future wife sneaks out in the middle of the night, barefoot?"

"Future wife?!" I sputtered. "You mean ex-fiancée if you keep this up-hey! Don’t glare like that-"

He opened the car door with one hand, still holding me effortlessly with the other.

"Inside," he ordered.

"I’d rather die-okay fine I’m going," I muttered as he pushed me inside not too gently.

He slammed the door shut, circled to the driver’s side, and slid in beside me.

The silence was suffocating.

His knuckles were white on the steering wheel.

"Yap," I whispered under my breath, "he was crazy in the novel. How could I forget it."

"Speak loudly, mio amore," he said coldly, eyes fixed on the windshield. Another hand of his slide into my legs holding it possessively.

"Nothing!" I squeaked.

He turned his head slightly, his eyes dark with restrained fury. "You know what happens to those who lie to me?"

"Uh...They gets to know what is it like to be 6ft under the ground?"

He chuckled- soft,

"You’re adorable when you try to be funny while terrified."

"Who says I’m terrified?!"

"You’re shaking," he pointed out, eyes flicking to my trembling hands. "You forgot I know your every move."

"First of all--"

"You talk too much. Maybe I should remind you how good you sound when you’re quiet."

Before I could react, his hand shot out, gripping my jaw, forcing me to look at him.

His face was inches from mine- lips curved in that cruel smile.

"Dante, don’t you dare-"

He kissed me. Hard.

My breath caught in my throat.

It wasn’t a kiss - it was punishment, frustration, obsession, all twisted into one. His hand slid to the back of my neck, pulling me closer when I tried to push away.

"D-Dante!" I muffled against his mouth, but he deepened it, swallowing my protests.

When he finally pulled back, I was breathless and furious.

"ARE YOU CRAZY?!!" I hissed, wiping my lips.

"Only when it comes to you," he murmured darkly. "You make me lose control, tesoro. You always do."

He started the car, voice low. "I didn’t want to do this here."

I blinked. "....?"

"But you tested me too much tonight."

His lips curved faintly. "Running. Lying. Making me chase you like a fucking criminal."

He shifted gears, eyes fixed on the dark road. "When we get home, you and I are going to have a very long talk about obedience."

I muttered under my breath, "psychopath."

He shot me a sidelong glance, dangerously

"Say that again, Mia amore, and I’ll make you repeat it on your knees."

I shut up instantly.

Inside, the air was thick - .

Then his hand slid over mine on the seat, possessive and warm, I realized something...

I am so fucked up tonight.

--------

By the time we reached the mansion, I thought he’d throw me back to that old room and just lock me like he did

But no.

He carried me bridal style, silent, his jaw clenched tight even maids didn’t dared to look at us.

Each step echoed through the cold hallway

My heart was racing,

But instead of turning left-the path to my usual room-he went right.

"Dante?" I whispered, looking up at his sharp jawline, trying to read his face.

He didn’t even glance at me.

When the door creaked open, I froze.

Oh no.

No no no no.

I know this room.

This is where he kept Alina when she tried to run away, I muttered under my breath.

My whole body went cold.

And he broke her limbs...

God, why did I read this damn story?!

"Dante..." my voice trembled, "why are we here?"

He finally looked down at me, his dark eyes void of any warmth.

"For your punishment," he said flatly.

Excuse me- what now?!

He placed me down on the harsh iron bed. The mattress squeaked under my weight-thin, uncomfortable, and definitely not made for a princess or a villainess or anyone who values their bones.

He left without a word.

I looked around nervously. The air felt colder here.

No windows.

Just a small table, a flickering bulb, and chains.

"Uh-huh... this looks exactly like the novel described," I whispered, trying to laugh through my panic. "Actually, no-it looks worse in real life.

When Dante came back, I nearly jumped.

He was holding something in his hand-I couldn’t see what.

"Now," he said, setting the box down on the table, "where were we?"

Oh no.

Suddenly my eyes landed on his lips and that Miss scene flashed In my head.

I scooted back. "Uh... stay away," I said quickly, holding out a hand.

He didn’t listen.

Of course he didn’t.

Instead, he caught my ankle.

I yelped, trying to pull away, but his grip was firm- too firm.

He pulled me closer, my legs sliding on the sheets until I was half sitting, half trapped.

"Dante-what are you doing?!"

He didn’t answer. He placed my legs over his thighs and opened the box-

First aid kit.

Oh?

He began cleaning the wounds on my feet-the cuts from when I ran barefoot through the forest. His touch was surprisingly gentle, but his eyes... they were cold and burning at the same time.

Every motion was precise, restrained. Like he was fighting the urge to snap.

He tied the last bandage, then finally spoke, voice dangerously calm.

"Did you think I was dumb enough to fool easily, Viella?"

I froze - still sprawled on the floor like a discarded doll. My knees hurt, my pride hurt more.

"What... what are you talking about...?"

I tried to sound normal.

He didn’t answer.

Instead, Dante crouched. The leather of his gloves creaked as his fingers closed around my ankle again- firm, cold, and possessive.

My pulse stuttered. "D-Dante-"

"You know exactly what I mean."

His tone was soft, almost lazy, but chilling

Then his thumb pressed against my skin - gentle, testing - before tightening his grip just enough for me to yelp.

"Such a small, fragile thing," he murmured, gaze turned dark. "One twist, and it will break. Then you can no longer run."

"D-Dante, haha-romantic! But uh, maybe keep all my bones attached? I’m very attached to walking! Like, emotionally attached-"

He straightened slightly, his shadow swallowing me whole. "You weren’t this talkative when you were sneaking out, Viella."

"Ah-about that," I said quickly, pointing at the ceiling like an idiot. "I was just, uh, ah-"

"Viella."

"Yes, Mr. Fian-"

Before I could finish, he yanked me forward. My body hit his chest, his hand braced beside my head.

He leaned down

"You think you can lie to me?" he whispered.

His breath brushed my skin

"You look me in the eye and think I won’t notice?"

I tried to laugh. Bad idea.

His hand slid higher - from my ankle, to my knee, then tracing the outline of my thigh like he was memorizing it.

My entire body went rigid. He bit down my thigh

"Dante-" I squeaked, "What-what are you doing-?" My breath hitched

He didn’t answer immediately. His eyes flicked up, glinting in the dim light.

"You look terrified," he murmured. "But you’re not screaming. Why?"

I blinked, speechless. "Because-uh-screaming is... not ladylike?"

His lips ghosted the corner of my jaw.

"Or maybe..." he said, the words brushing heat against my skin, "...you like it when I corner you like this?"

"Wha-WHAT-no! Definitely not! I like money, that’s what I like!"

He chuckled.

A deep, husky sound that made my pulse jump.

"You can joke all you want, cara mia," he said softly. "But remember this-"

His hand caught my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"In this house, you don’t run. You don’t hide. You stay where I can find you."

My voice shook. "A-and if I don’t?"

His smile sharpened, cruel and beautiful. "Then I’ll chain your heart before your body ever gets the chance." With that he again started kissing my lips aggressively.

He tilted his head slightly, gaze dark and unreadable- and then that low, mocking laugh slipped out.

"At first, it was you who was chasing me like crazy," he murmured, eyes flicking over me with slow hunger. "Now it’s me who’s chasing you like I’ve lost my mind..."

He chuckled softly, almost to himself. "Weird world, isn’t it, Mia Amore?"

His voice dropped lower, a whisper laced with madness. "In the end, we’re both twisted."

He leaned in- his lips almost brushing my ear.

"I could take you right here if I wanted," he whispered. "Break you until you can’t even think of another man. Do you understand that, Viella?"

My heart stopped.

Then he pulled back- and stood up, adjusting his gloves like nothing had happened. I could still feel the heat

"Wait- you ain’t gonna leave me in this cold room all alone right?" I said, blinking in disbelief.

He turned slightly,

"This is your punishment Viella. Just a simple example of what can happen in future," he said.

"I’m giving you a one last chance."

A chill crept up my spine. "Last chance...?"

He looked over his shoulder- eyes dark, smile faint.

"Run again, Viella," he murmured. "And I’ll make sure you forget how to walk for the rest of your life"

He said it so casually, so quietly - like he was discussing the weather.

Then he was gone.

I sat there, blank.

Just-

Wow. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

I mean, at least I didn’t lose a limb like the original Alina, right?

Haha. Haha-ha-

ohmygodI’mgonnadie.

"Lucian!!" I screamed, flailing at the ceiling. "Save me from your psychopath friend!!"

Meanwhile, somewhere in the mansion-

Lucian sneezed, looking mildly annoyed.

"...Did someone call me? Must be the dust."

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TO BE CONTINUED