Viella’s Pov

As I happily got ready, my eyes accidentally drifted to the hickey on my neck.

The one that demon Dante told me not to hide.

"Pfft. As if."

I covered that thing with makeup

Perfect. Concealed. Invisible.

Just like my future if Dante catches me doing this - invisible from the world.

Anyway! I practically skipped downstairs

My Next mission is to set up Alina. I grinned..

Nonna looked at me and instantly smiled

"Omo! My little girl looks so beautiful today! Your fashion sense has improved since the last time I saw you."

I casually scanned the area for Dante.

Not here.

Hehehe. Blessed be the heavens.

"Yes, Nonna. I learned from you after all." I flashed a proud grin.

"Anyway, since we’re going shopping... shouldn’t we take some maids too?"

"Oh yes, darling. I arranged ten already."

TEN?!

Were we going shopping or invading a country?

I cleared my throat.

"Uh... I don’t think we need that many. Why don’t we just... take her?"

I pointed at Alina.

Nonna’s eyes followed... and she gave a knowingly smirk

"You’re just like me," she said proudly and immediately ordered,

"Alina, follow us."

Instead of being offended Alina smiled sweetly.

...Why are you smiling?

I raised a brow, then shrugged.

Of course. I know why.

I walked ahead of Alina

I could feel her burning gaze stabbing into my back

You wanted me as the villainess, Alina.

Now face the consequences.

I cackled internally.

---

Meanwhile...

Dante stood on the balcony. Arms crossed, jaw clenched.

He watched Viella smiling so brightly as she walked to the car.

That smile wasn’t for him.

"You never smile like that when you’re with me," he muttered, eyes darkening.

"You’re so happy... to leave my side."

His aura turned ten shades darker,

"You three," he said quietly-

"You will protect my wife. If she returns with even a scratch..."

"...I’ll send your heads to your families. Nicely wrapped."

All three men stiffened.

His men nodded violently, trembling under his predator gaze.

Then came a voice. "Oh My! now don’t threaten them like this my little lion...."

She patted one guard’s shoulder sweetly.

"Don’t be frightened," she said.

He almost cried in gratitude-

Until she added, still smiling,

"Instead say if anything happens to her ... you won’t only miss the sun tomorrow. You’ll miss the moon, the stars-and every ancestor waiting for you."

The men immediately stiffened again. And watched her with terror.

Dante smirked

---

Suddenly, a strange chill crawled down my spine.

A full-body shiver.

I stopped mid-strut, confused.

"What the...?"

I looked around.

Then I shrugged it off.

"Must be my trauma acting up," I muttered and returned to the important task

Tormenting Alina

---

Twenty minutes later, we finally arrived at the shopping mall

The moment I stepped out of the car, I inhaled dramatically.

"Aaaah~ freedom. I feel like an aquarium fish finally tossed back into the ocean."

Nonna laughed softly behind me, clearly pleased with my enthusiasm.

My bliss lasted exactly three seconds.

Because Dante’s men immediately surrounded me like I was some sort of Celebrity.

I glared at them.

"Are you serious? Move. I’m shopping, not escaping prison."

They stiffened but didn’t move.

Tsk.

Annoying lamp posts.

My irritation melted the moment I saw the rows of glittering bags, shoes, silk dresses, and jewelries.

Hehehe.

Time to swipe Dante’s money like a queen.

Nonna practically sparkled at my excitement as she waved her hand.

"Alina, follow her."

Perfect.

The moment we entered the first high-end boutique, I began grabbing things with the confidence of a spoiled lady

Alina ended up holding...

two bags...

then five...

then eleven.

She looked like a struggling Christmas tree.

And-most importantly-she kept checking her phone.

Her fingers shaking slightly.

A smile curled at my lips.

Good. My plan was working.

She was getting anxious, restless-probably waiting for the writer

And since Nonna wasn’t right next to me anymore...

I turned casually toward her.

"Oh, Alina~ I’m trying on a dress. Wait outside the changing room."

I said it in the tone that practically guaranteed she would NOT listen.

Which was exactly what I wanted.

The moment I slipped inside the changing room, I peeked through the curtain-

and as expected, she was already speed-walking away,

A grin stretched across my face.

Got you.

I quietly slipped out after her, careful not to catch Nonna’s attention.

Time to follow

And may the gods keep Dante far, far away from me right now.

...Which knowing my luck, meant he was probably already on his way.

---

"Fvk-where did she vanish to?"

Then I spotted her.

Alina stood a short distance away... facing a man whose back was turned to me. I couldn’t see his face-annoying-but his shiny hair caught my eyes.

As expected.

My suspicious thoughts were no longer thoughts-they were turning into reality.

Now all I needed was a glimpse of his face.

But why was the universe so stingy today?

I crept closer, hiding behind a pillar, trying to catch their voices.

"No-I can’t! I can’t do this anymore!"

Alina’s voice cracked with anger, sharp enough that nearby shoppers gave her startled looks.

Yeah... I get it. They were probably thinking, How can a cute, innocent-looking girl roar like that?

"Tsk. You’re so stupid, Alina," a man’s deep voice replied.

"And you never listen to me. Don’t tell me you’re falling for that bitch Viella like Dante. Even if you are, I don’t care-I just want my Dante back."

The sound of a soft chuckle followed.

"You need a heart to love someone, Alina. And I don’t have one."

"I can see you going crazy for her" Alina complained.

"You’re the one going crazy because your favorite toy was taken from you." The tone got bit colder now.

Alina’s glared

Then he handed her something-something small. I leaned forward, but couldn’t see it clearly.

He touched her shoulder and leaned in. I saw her stiffen... then her face twisted into something strange.

Fear?

Why was Alina afraid?

I followed her gaze-

She was looking straight in my direction.

I ducked behind a mannequin so fast I nearly broke its plastic arm.

When I peeked again...

They were gone.

Gone.

Shitt-he escaped!

I needed to see his face. Needed to confirm it was really him.

I bolted forward, ignoring the stares of everyone around me, scanning the crowd for any trace-

And then-

"-Ouch!"

I smacked straight into a brick wall.

Except the wall breathed.

My nose throbbed as I looked up-

"...Ah. Miss Viella."

That gentle, amused tone.

"Do be careful. You might get yourself in trouble one day."

Came a familiar voice..I looked up to see

Elias.

He flashed me his handsome face but strangely it held a hint of coldness.

I looked at his attire.....it’s different....

For a second I got zoned out with disappoinment.

"Ahem" Elias cleared his throat probably to get my attention back.

"Ah... sorry, Mr. Elias. Didn’t expect to meet you here."

"Same here." His smile curved lazily. "Last time I saw you was on the news."

Then he chuckled.

"I was honestly scared that might be the last time I’d ever see you."

I coughed awkwardly.

"So... what are you doing here? Thought you were a busy businessman."

He glanced around the boutique floor with casual elegance.

"As you can see, Miss Viella, this is a shopping mall. I’m here to shop. For tonight’s event."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Don’t your assistants do that?"

He tilted his head slowly-almost like a predator studying prey.

"My, my... seems Miss Viella knows quite a lot about me."

He stepped closer.

I stepped back.

He stepped closer again.

His breath brushed the air between us.

"Are you... that interested in me, hmm?"

Before he could get any closer, an arm snaked around my waist and yanked me backward-straight into a familiar, ice-cold chest.

Dante.

I didn’t even need to look up. His aura could freeze boiling water.

Elias clicked his tongue in amusement.

"What a pity. I hadn’t even gotten my answer yet, and you already came to snatch her away."

Dante’s voice dropped

"Since I’m here, you should already know the answer, Mr. Elias Noir."

My brain stalled.

Hah?

Why were THEY mock-sparring over ME?!

"Ah-Miss Viella, there you are. I’ve been looking for you..."

Alina appeared, and for the first time in my life, I was relieved to see that heroine witch.

Then she bowed politely to Elias.

Elias’s eyes glimmered in interest.

Was he falling for the heroine now?!

Perfect. Wonderful. Please, take her and leave me alone-

A chilling aura pressed against my side.

I looked up. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Dante was glaring at me as if I was staring at Elias

"OMO! My lion, what are you doing here?" Nonna’s voice chirped from behind.

She rushed in, clinging to my arm.

"And darling, where were you?! I was so stressed!"

NONNA NO.

PLEASE DON’T FEED THE BEAST.

i can feel Dante’s grip getting tighter

I smiled weakly.

Hehehe...?

Alina stepped forward.

"You’re right, Lady Bianca... I thought Lady Viella ran away."

Her angelic smile sharpened.

"Again."

I froze.

That witch.

THAT LITTLE-

I AM SO. DEAD.

---

Nonna looked straight at Dante, shaking her head

"Silly boy, can’t you stay away from your girl for even a few hours?" she chuckled, tapping her cane.

Dante didn’t even blink.

"I came here for business, Nonna. Unexpectedly...the person I needed to meet happened to be here."

His eyes slid to Elias like he wanted to stab him through the skull.

Before I could even breathe, one of Dante’s men walked in-dragging someone who was... oh. Oh wow.

Beaten. To. Death.

Wow. Someone’s gonna get a one-way ticket to Hell tonight...

Alina gasped dramatically and hid behind Dante like a fake trembling bunny.

I just stared, bored.

Dante’s eyes flicked toward me, sharp and searching.

He was analyzing my face l

He wanted fear, panic.

He wanted me clinging to him like, "Save me Dante-samaaaa!"

Sorry babe.

Not in this villainess’s blood.

I pointed aggressively at the skincare shop behind me.

"I DIDN’T go anywhere, okay?! Look-LOOK! They have the best moisturizers ever! I just needed them, that’s why I left!"

Dante stared at me.

Then looked away like he was fighting a smile.

He snapped his fingers.

"Take him away."

His man dragged the dying guy off

Then Dante shoved his black card at Alina.

"Buy ALL the moisturizers in that shop."

He pointed right at the store.

Right at the moisturizer heaven.

Alina blinked. "Um- all?"

"ALL."

His voice dropped

Everyone else... speechless.

Before I could processes the next thing he said.

"I am leaving with my wife."

He took my wrist.

And dragged me.

"HEY-! Dante, wait! Let go-"

Nope.

He didn’t even turn.

He just kept dragging me away like a kidnapper who paid the monthly subscription.

Wait...

Wife.

WIFE?!

Isn’t he getting way too comfortable with that word???

I looked behind me as Nonna waved happily like she was shipping us.

Alina glared at me with murder in her eyes.

Elias watched with his smirked visible.

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TO BE CONTINUED