The entire mansion carried a different kind of energy that day-lighter, warmer, filled with anticipation. It was the weekend, and for once, even the ever-busy Romano household had slowed down. But the real reason behind the brightness wasn't the day-it was Kiara.

She had been awake since morning, moving around with a restless excitement she couldn't hide even if she tried. There was a glow on her face, a constant smile playing on her lips as she checked things again and again-rooms prepared, arrangements done, everything perfect. Her mother, Kavya, and Krish were coming. Her people. Her world from before... finally stepping into her present.

And Donato had promised.

He had agreed without hesitation, even teasing her about how excited she was, assuring her that he would go with her to the airport. For the past two days, she had reminded him again and again-half serious, half playful-and every time he had reassured her, calm and certain.

"I'll be there." Everything had been right. Until it wasn't. Now- The clock on the wall ticked mercilessly, each second louder than the last. 7:30 PM. They were supposed to leave at 8. Kiara stood in the living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand, eyes fixed on the screen as if staring at it long enough would make it ring. But it didn't.

She tried again. Call failed. Her jaw tightened. "He said he'll be back soon..." she muttered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else. Around her, the family was present-some seated, some standing, casually talking-but every now and then, their eyes flickered toward her. They could feel it too-the shift in her mood.

Because the excitement from the morning? It was still there. But now, it was tangled with something else. Worry. And anger. She started pacing, heels clicking softly against the marble floor, her fingers tapping restlessly against her phone. "Two days," she whispered, frustration creeping into her voice. "I've been reminding him for two days..."

Her mind replayed every conversation-every time he had nodded, every time he had said yes without hesitation. And now... now when it actually mattered- He was gone. Without telling her where. Without answering her calls.

She stopped walking, exhaling sharply as she tried calling again. Still nothing. A flicker of fear passed through her eyes-but she pushed it down quickly. "No... he's fine," she told herself firmly. "He has to be." But the silence wasn't helping. And beneath that growing worry... her anger burned stronger. "Unbelievable," she muttered, her grip tightening around the phone. "He knew how important this is..."

The clock ticked again. 7:35. Every passing minute felt heavier now, stretching the distance between expectation and reality. She moved toward the window, looking outside as if his car might appear out of nowhere and fix everything instantly. But the driveway remained empty.

And for the first time that day- The excitement in her chest felt fragile. Because what was supposed to be a perfect moment... was slowly turning into something else. A wait. A question. And a rising storm inside her heart-torn between trusting him... and being hurt by him.

____

The engine roared as Donato's car cut through the evening traffic, the city lights blurring past in streaks of gold and white. His jaw was clenched, one hand tight on the steering wheel while the other kept tapping impatiently against it. The speed kept increasing-not recklessly, but urgently. Every second felt like it was slipping through his fingers.

Because he knew. He was late. And not just late-late for her.

An hour ago-

The construction site was alive with noise-metal clashing, machines humming, workers moving with purpose as Romano electronics were being installed across the newly acquired outlets. Donato had arrived with urgency, his presence instantly commanding attention. His team straightened, managers rushing toward him, ready to explain whatever "problem" had been serious enough to drag him here personally.

Except-There was no real problem. He realized it within minutes. A minor installation delay. A technical misalignment that could have been fixed by any competent supervisor on-site. Nothing that required him. Nothing that justified the call.

His expression darkened almost immediately. And then- He saw her. Vittoria stood a few steps away, poised, elegant, watching him with that same composed smile that barely hid her intention. The moment their eyes met, everything clicked into place.

She hadn't called him here for work. She had called him... for herself. Donato exhaled slowly, a flicker of irritation crossing his face-but it vanished just as quickly. Because this wasn't unexpected. In fact- This was part of the plan.

He knew exactly why she had done this. And more importantly- He knew why he had to let it happen. So instead of confronting her, instead of calling out the obvious, he stepped forward, slipping back into that controlled, unreadable version of himself.

They spoke. Briefly. Casually. But underneath every word, there was calculation. Vittoria lingered, stretching conversations, creating reasons to keep him there-asking about installations, future plans, even trivial details that didn't require his input. And Donato... played along.

Because he needed her to believe she had access. He needed her to stay close. Because somewhere, someone was watching. His so-called stalker. And if Vittoria became the visible connection- Then she became the bait. The thought didn't sit comfortably. But he pushed that aside.

Kiara comes first.

Always. If using Vittoria meant drawing danger away from his wife... then he would do it without hesitation. Still- That didn't mean he liked being there. Every few minutes, his eyes drifted to his watch. Then again. And again. Time kept moving. Too fast.

And with every passing second, the irritation inside him grew-not at Vittoria... but at the situation. Because today- Today mattered. Kiara's family was arriving. He had promised her. And he didn't break promises.

When the work was finally wrapped up, Donato didn't waste a single second. No formal goodbye. No lingering conversation. No acknowledgment of Vittoria waiting to say something more. He simply turned-And left.

That alone spoke louder than anything. Behind him, Vittoria stood frozen for a moment, her expression tightening as anger flared beneath her composed exterior. He had come because she called. But he had stayed only because he chose to. And now- He had left just as easily. Without looking back.

Back in the present-

Donato's grip tightened on the steering wheel as he sped through the road. His phone lay beside him. Dead. Switched off. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath, frustration evident in his voice. He could already imagine it- Kiara waiting. Calling.

Getting no response. And that thought alone made him press harder on the accelerator. Because for the first time that evening- It wasn't the plan. It wasn't the stalker. It wasn't Vittoria. It was something much simpler. Much more personal. He didn't want to disappoint her.

The moment Donato's car screeched to a halt in front of the Romano mansion, he didn't even bother shutting the door properly. He stepped out in a rush, his breath uneven, his mind already ahead of him-inside the house, where he knew she would be.

Waiting. The grand doors were open, and as he stepped in, his eyes found her instantly.

Kiara.

She stood in the middle of the living room, no longer pacing-but still, tense, her phone clutched in her hand. Her posture was straight, her expression composed... but her eyes- Her eyes gave everything away. Anger. Worry. Relief. All tangled together. For a second, Donato stopped.

He inhaled sharply, the weight of the moment hitting him all at once. Not the delay. Not the missed calls. Her. The way she was looking at him. And without wasting another second, he walked-almost rushed-toward her.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart," he said immediately, his voice softer than usual, laced with genuine regret. "I got late... let's go-we still have five minutes before eight."

But Kiara didn't move. She just stood there... looking at him. And in that silence, his words felt smaller. "I told you," she said finally, her voice calm-but firm, "it's important. You had to be here on time."

Each word landed heavier than the last. Donato nodded instantly, not even trying to defend himself. "I know. I know, darling... and I'm so sorry for disappointing you. Please... forgive me." There was no arrogance. No pride. Just honesty.

Kiara kept looking at him for a moment longer, searching his face-not for excuses, but for truth. And she found it. The frustration in her softened just slightly, replaced by a quiet understanding. She sighed. "Just because it's your first time, I'm forgiving you. If something like this happens agai-"

"I promise it won't," Donato cut in quickly, almost urgently. "There won't be a second time. I promise." here was something raw in the way he said it-something that made it impossible to doubt him.

Behind them, the rest of the family stood watching, completely entertained.

Albert crossed his arms, clearly enjoying the rare sight. Sofia leaned toward Nonna, whispering something with a smile. Even elder romano shook his head slightly, amused. Because this- This was Donato Romano.

A man who didn't apologize. A man who didn't explain. A man who didn't bend. And yet here he was... saying sorry. Again. And again. Just for her.

Kiara glanced at them briefly, then back at Donato, and finally shook her head lightly, a small smile breaking through despite herself.

"Okay," she said. "Now let's go."

Relief visibly washed over Donato's face. "Yeah... let's go."

This time, he didn't waste a second. He reached for her hand-firm, grounding-and together, they walked out, leaving behind the amused gazes and quiet smiles of the family. Because whatever had almost gone wrong... They weren't going to let it ruin this moment. Not today. Today-They were going to bring her world... home.

___

The moment they stepped into the airport, the atmosphere shifted. It wasn't loud or chaotic like a usual arrival terminal-instead, there was an unusual order, a controlled calm. People moved, but at a distance. Security stood strategically, dressed in black, alert eyes scanning every corner. It didn't take Kiara more than a second to understand.

Of course... Donato Romano is here.

A faint smile tugged at her lips as she glanced sideways at him. He stood beside her, tall and composed, holding a bouquet in one hand as if he were just another man waiting for his family-yet everything around him screamed otherwise. Power. Control. Danger. "My husband" she muttred under her breath."

"Did you say something?" Donato asked, tilting his head slightly toward her.

Kiara shook her head quickly, suppressing her smile. "Nothing." But before anything else could be said, her gaze shifted forward-and then she saw them. Her breath caught. Her mother... Kavya... and-"Oh God..." she whispered, her lips breaking into a wide smile.

Because right in front of them, walking ahead like some overconfident film hero making a grand entry, was Krish.

Chest slightly puffed, sunglasses on (indoors, for absolutely no reason), dragging his small suitcase like it was a dramatic prop-he looked like he had just stepped out of a low-budget action movie.

"My overdramatic baby..." Kiara murmured under her breath, eyes softening.

But the moment Krish's eyes landed on her-Everything else vanished. The suitcase was abandoned mid-walk. The "hero entry" was forgotten. And in the next second, he was running.

"DIIIIIII!!!"

Kiara barely had time to react before he crashed into her, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. She laughed softly, immediately bending down to hug him back just as tightly, burying her face into his hair.

"I missed you so much..." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly despite her smile.

"I missed you more!" he said dramatically, clinging to her as if someone might steal her away again.

Behind them, Donato watched the scene with a quiet, unreadable expression-until Krish slowly pulled back, his eyes shifting.

And then he noticed him. He blinked once. Twice. His entire expression changed. He stepped slightly in front of Kiara, narrowing his eyes at Donato like a tiny bodyguard assessing a threat.

"So..." Krish said, crossing his arms. " how are you treating my sister roman empire?"

Kiara froze. Donato raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Exuse me?" Donato replied calmly, though there was a clear hint of interest in his tone.

"I am Krish," he said proudly. "Her brother." A pause. Then, with absolute seriousness- "And I don't trust you."

Kiara choked. "KRISH!" she hissed under her breath, mortified.

But Donato... didn't react the way anyone expected. Instead- A slow smirk appeared on his lips. "Good," he said simply.

That caught Krish off guard. "Good?" he repeated, confused.

"Yes," Donato stepped closer, bending slightly to match his height, his voice calm but firm. "You shouldn't trust anyone easily. Especially not someone who took your sister away from you."

Krish stared at him, surprised. For a second... he didn't know what to say. Then his eyes narrowed again, but this time there was curiosity mixed with it. "...At least you're honest," he muttered.

Kiara blinked. What just happened?

Before the tension could build further, Donato straightened and extended his hand slightly toward Krish. "I am donato Romano" he offered.

Krish looked at the hand. Then at Kiara. Then back at Donato. After a dramatic pause- He shook it. "and I'm watching you," he added seriously.

Donato let out a soft chuckle. "I'd expect nothing less."

Kiara just stood there, completely stunned... before letting out a helpless laugh. Only these two... Only them. But then- Her gaze shifted again. And this time, everything inside her softened. Her mother. Standing just a few steps away. Tears already in her eyes. Kiara's smile faded into something deeper... something fragile.

"Mom..."

That was all it took. The distance disappeared in seconds as Kiara walked forward, her steps slow at first, then faster-until she reached her and wrapped her arms around her tightly. Meera held her just as firmly, her fingers gripping the back of Kiara's dress as if she needed to feel that she was real.

"My baby..." Meera whispered, her voice breaking. For a moment, neither of them moved. Neither of them spoke. They just... held each other. All the distance. All the days apart. All the unspoken worries. Everything melted into that one embrace.

Beside them, Kavya stood quietly, her own eyes glistening, watching the reunion with a soft smile. When Kiara finally pulled back, she turned to her immediately and hugged her just as tightly. finally "You came..." Kiara said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Of course I came," Kavya replied gently. "How could I not?"

Kiara smiled, her eyes shining. For the first time in days- Everything felt complete. Her world. Standing right in front of her. And as she turned slightly, her hand unconsciously finding Donato's-She realized something else too. Now...Both her worlds had finally met.

For a brief moment after that emotional reunion, everything softened-until Donato stepped forward, effortlessly slipping back into his composed demeanor.

He held the bouquet in his hand, then extended it toward Meera with a slight, respectful bow.
"Welcome to italy mom," he said calmly, his voice warm yet dignified.

Meera accepted the bouquet with a gentle smile, clearly touched by the gesture. "Thank you, beta," she replied, studying him for a second-not as a powerful man, but as the one her daughter had chosen.

Donato then turned toward Kavya, greeting her with equal respect, his tone polite and composed. "It's good to finally meet you."

But before the moment could settle-"Excuse me."

All eyes turned. Krish stood there, arms crossed, brows slightly furrowed in mock seriousness. "Where is my bouquet?"

A silence fell. Donato blinked once. For the first time in a long while-Donato Romano, the man who negotiated billion-euro deals without hesitation-was... caught off guard."I...I didn't think it was necessary," he replied honestly.

Krish gasped dramatically. "It is necessary, Mr. Roman Empire," he declared, lifting his chin. "If you want to impress a girl, you impress her brother first."

Behind him, Kiara, Meera, and Kavya instantly turned their faces away, trying-very unsuccessfully-to hide their laughter. Even Donato's head bodyguard, standing a few steps behind, lowered his head slightly, clearly struggling to maintain his professional composure.

Donato exhaled slowly, then narrowed his eyes slightly. "But your sister is already impressed with me," he said, a hint of offense in his tone.

Krish immediately turned toward Kiara. "Are you, Dii?"

Kiara didn't even hesitate. With a straight face-and a mischievous glint in her eyes-she shook her head. "No. Never."

There was a beat of silence. Donato stared at her. Betrayed. "Wow," he muttered under his breath. "My own wife."

Krish smirked proudly, clearly pleased with this victory.

Donato sighed, then raised his hands slightly in surrender. "Fine. My mistake. Next time, I'll bring you the biggest bouquet."

Krish nodded, satisfied. "That's better." But then his attention shifted. His eyes scanned the surroundings-the men in black suits, the guarded distance, the controlled space. And then- "...Why does it feel like I came to meet a movie villain instead of my brother-in-law?" he said loudly.

A pause. Kiara choked. Kavya turned away, laughing. Even Meera couldn't hide her smile anymore.

The bodyguards? A few of them subtly looked down, shoulders shaking.

Donato, however-Closed his eyes for a second. Just one second. Embarrassed.

Krish continued, completely serious, pointing around. "Look at them! All black suits, all serious faces... Are they going to arrest me if I hug my own sister again?"

That did it. Kiara burst out laughing, stepping forward and lightly hitting his arm. "Stop it!" Then she turned to him, still smiling, and explained gently, "They're here for security, Krish. Not to arrest you."

Krish blinked. Then leaned closer to her and whispered-loud enough for everyone to hear- "Dii... is your husband's life is more dangerous than my exam results?."

Donato's bodyguard finally lost it-a small chuckle escaped before he quickly covered his mouth. Donato turned his head slowly and shot him a sharp glare. The kind that clearly said: You're enjoying this a little too much. The guard immediately straightened, face blank again-but his eyes still betrayed amusement.

Kiara shook her head, still smiling, while Donato simply exhaled, accepting his fate. This... was going to be a long experience. "Shall we?" Donato said finally, gesturing toward the exit.

Everyone nodded, Gourds gather their things as they began walking toward the cars. As they moved, Donato leaned slightly to the side, muttering quietly to himself- "It's going to be really hard to handle this mini version of Kiara..."

"Did you say something, Roman Empire?"

Donato stiffened. He turned his head slowly to find Krish looking at him suspiciously. For a second-He considered telling the truth. Then chose survival. "...No," he said with a small, diplomatic smile. "I was saying you look handsome."

Krish's expression instantly changed. "its because i am," he replied confidently.

Behind them-That same bodyguard let out another suppressed chuckle, quickly turning it into a cough when Donato's sharp glare landed on him again. Donato looked away, jaw tightening slightly. Yes. This was definitely going to be a challenge. And The great Donato Romano realized... He might have finally met his match.

____

The drive back to the mansion felt entirely different from the one before. The earlier urgency, the quiet tension-it had all dissolved into something warm, alive, and beautifully chaotic. The car was no longer just a vehicle moving through the streets of Italy; it had become a small world filled with laughter, overlapping conversations, and the comforting noise of people who belonged to each other.

Kiara sat in the middle, almost instinctively anchoring herself between her worlds. One hand held Krish's tightly, her fingers laced with his as though she feared that if she let go, he might vanish again. Her other hand rested gently over her mother's, drawing quiet reassurance from her presence. Every now and then, she would glance between them, her heart swelling with a kind of happiness that felt almost too full to contain.

Krish, as expected, had not been quiet for even a second.

"So this is Italy?" he said dramatically, pressing his face against the window, his breath fogging the glass slightly. "It looks so normal. I thought people here would walk in slow motion like in movies."

Gourd, who was driving, let out a short, involuntary snort, clearly caught off guard.

Donato, seated beside him, glanced at Krish through the rearview mirror, one eyebrow lifting slightly. "Disappointed?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with quiet amusement.

"Very," Krish replied without hesitation, turning back into his seat with exaggerated seriousness. His eyes then moved around the car again, scanning the men in black suits positioned strategically even in the convoy outside. "And why do all these people look like mafia members?" he added bluntly.

Kiara closed her eyes for a brief second. "Krish..." she warned softly.

"What?" he shrugged innocently. "I'm just telling the truth. Mafia people look scary. These people look the same. And you-" he paused, studying Donato carefully from head to toe, his expression thoughtful, "-you look... somewhat decent."

A dangerous glint flickered briefly in Donato's eyes, gone almost as quickly as it appeared. "Oh?" he said slowly, his voice low, measured. "I don't look like a mafia leader?"

Kiara immediately shot him a sharp glare from the side, silently warning him not to encourage this.

Krish leaned back instantly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "No, no. You look fine. Decent," he corrected himself quickly, then added with a shrug, "because you are my sister's choice."

The entire car burst into laughter. Kiara shook her head, but her smile never faded. She turned slightly, her eyes meeting Donato's for just a brief moment. Something unspoken passed between them-soft, quiet, and deeply rooted.

This... is mine, her heart whispered.

Soon, the towering gates of the Romano mansion came into view, opening slowly as the convoy approached. As the car entered the estate, the sheer grandeur of the place unfolded in full scale-vast grounds, elegant architecture, and an atmosphere that spoke of legacy and power.

Krish's mouth fell open. "Okay..." he whispered, almost reverently this time. "Now this looks like Italy."

The car came to a smooth stop at the entrance. Before anyone could even reach for the door handles, attendants had already stepped forward and opened them.

And waiting there-The Romano family. Almost as if they had been anticipating this exact moment.

Nonna stood at the front, her posture straight, her presence commanding yet warm. Sofia stood beside her, composed and observant, while Alberto leaned casually nearby, his expression carrying a quiet curiosity.Aravi looking excited to meet them Others gathered slightly behind, their attention fixed on the arriving guests.

Kiara stepped out first. Nonna didn't rush forward. She didn't need to. Her presence alone filled the space between them. As Kiara approached, she gently cupped her face, her aged but steady hands warm against her skin. Her eyes studied her carefully-searching, measuring.

"You look happy," she said softly.

Kiara smiled, her eyes glowing. "I am."

Nonna gave a small nod, satisfied. Then her gaze shifted-to the guests behind her. Meera stepped forward with quiet grace, her hands coming together respectfully. There was a hint of nervousness in her posture, but also dignity.

"Namaste,"( "Hello ") she greeted softly.

For a brief second, two worlds stood face to face-different cultures, different traditions. Then Nonna smiled. "Welcome to italy meera beta," she replied.

And just like that, the distance dissolved. Kavya stepped forward next, greeting politely, though her eyes were already moving, absorbing everything-the grandeur of the mansion, the people, the atmosphere. Beneath her composed exterior, excitement and nervous anticipation stirred quietly.

And then- Krish. He stepped forward like he had been waiting his entire life for this moment. "Hello everyone," he announced confidently, waving as though addressing an audience. "I am Krish. Special guest."

Alberto raised an eyebrow. Enzo looked amused, already bracing himself for what was coming.

Donato exhaled quietly, a faint chukkle escaping him.

Nonna blinked once... then a faint smile touched her lips. "Special indeed," she murmured.

Kiara covered her face. "Oh God..."

But Krish wasn't done. He walked straight up to Alberto, stopping in front of him with full confidence.

"You look like a bodyguard all in black," he said honestly.

Alberto stared at him for a second. Then, unexpectedly-"I like you," he replied.

That was it. Krish grinned instantly, proud of himself. "I know."

A ripple of laughter moved through the group. From behind, Elana watched everything quietly. Her gaze shifted briefly toward Enzo-but she avoided looking at him completely. The silence between them remained heavy, unspoken, unresolved.

Before that tension could settle-"Alright, that's enough," Aravi clapped lightly, pulling everyone's attention back. "Let's go inside. They must be tired."

Servants stepped forward immediately, efficiently handling the luggage as everyone began moving inside. The mansion came alive once more-voices echoing through its grand halls, footsteps overlapping, laughter rising and falling like music.

Kiara stayed close to her mother and Kavya, guiding them, explaining things, holding onto them as though grounding herself in their presence.

Donato walked a step behind. Silent. Observant. Protective. But as his gaze settled on Kiara-laughing freely, her face glowing, surrounded by the people she loved-Something shifted within him. A quiet, undeniable realization.

This...This is what peace looks like. And for the first time- He wasn't standing outside it, guarding it from a distance. He was inside it. Becoming a part of it.

____

The night had drained her.

By the time Vittoria reached her apartment, the silence felt heavier than usual-thick, almost suffocating after the long, exhausting day. Her heels clicked faintly against the marble floor as she walked in, dropping her bag carelessly on the console table. Her reflection caught briefly in the glass panel-tired eyes, slightly smudged makeup, and a mind still running in circles from everything that had happning.

The meetings.
Donato.
Kiara.
Accident.
The Note.

Her jaw tightened.

Without wasting another second, she walked straight to her bedroom, then into the bathroom, turning on the lights with a sharp flick. The bright white glow filled the space instantly, almost too harsh for her already strained senses.

She turned the tap, splashing cold water onto her face, trying to wash away the exhaustion... and the frustration. For a moment, she just stood there, palms pressed against the sink, breathing. Then she reached for a towel.

Slowly, she lifted it to her face, pressing it gently against her skin, dabbing away the water, her mind still distracted-still replaying the evening.

When she finally pulled the towel away-She froze. Her breath hitched. The world seemed to stop. The towel- Was red. Not faint. Not diluted. Red. Her eyes widened in disbelief as her gaze snapped toward the mirror.

And then- A scream tore out of her throat. Her face... It wasn't water. It was blood. Dark, fresh, smeared unevenly across her skin, dripping faintly along the edge of her jaw, staining her neck. For a second, her mind refused to process it. Her hands trembled as she instinctively touched her cheek-

Sticky. Warm. Real. "No... no, no-" she whispered, panic rising violently in her chest.

Her breathing turned uneven, sharp, as she staggered back slightly, her eyes darting wildly around the bathroom. That's when she saw it. A small folded note. Tucked beneath the glass candle holder on the counter.

Her heart dropped. Slowly-hesitantly-she reached for it, her fingers shaking as though they already knew what she would find. The paper felt damp. Heavy. She unfolded it. And her stomach twisted. The words-Written in blood.

"Even after the accident... you still didn't understand?"

Her breath caught. Her grip tightened involuntarily. Her eyes moved to the next line.

"Stay away from Donato Romano."

A drop of blood slid down from the edge of the paper, landing on the white marble below. Her entire body went cold. The last line-

"Or next time... I won't just warn you That blood is just little demo."

Silence. Complete. Deafening. For a moment, Vittoria couldn't move. Her fingers trembled violently, the note crumpling slightly in her grip as fear and anger collided inside her. Her reflection stared back at her from the mirror-face stained in blood, eyes wide, breathing unsteady.

But slowly... Very slowly-The fear in her eyes began to shift. Harden. Her jaw clenched. Her grip on the note tightened. "Whoever you are..." she whispered, her voice low, shaking-but no longer weak. Her eyes burned now-not with fear, but with fury. "You chose the wrong person."

She looked back at her reflection. At the blood. At the warning. A dangerous calm settled over her expression. "I don't run," she said softly. The note crumpled completely in her hand. "I hunt."

For a moment, the room was silent. Then-Her phone rang. The sharp sound sliced through the stillness. She ignored it at first, her gaze still locked on the mirror, her breathing slowly steadying. But the phone rang again-louder now, more insistent, vibrating against the surface where she had left it.

Irritation flickered across her face. With an impatient exhale, she turned and walked out of the bathroom, her damp footsteps echoing faintly as she reached for the phone and picked it up.

"What?" she snapped, her voice edged with annoyance.

There was a pause on the other side. Then- "Ma'am... the guard you appointed to keep watch on Donato Romano..." Something in the man's tone shifted. "He's dead, ma'am."

Everything stopped. The words didn't land immediately. They... hovered. Hung in the air. Vittoria's grip loosened. "...What?" she whispered, but no sound truly came out.

"Yes ma,am," the voice continued, quieter now. "We found his body this morning.

She didn't hear the rest. The phone slipped from her hand. It hit the floor with a dull, distant sound. Her body stood frozen, unmoving, her mind racing backward- The blood on her face. The note. The warning. A slow, horrifying realization crawled into place. Her breath hitched.

"...No..." Her eyes widened slightly as her gaze dropped to her hands-still faintly stained red. Not hers. Not random. Not coincidence. "It's his..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. The guard. The one she had assigned. The one she had placed behind Donato to watch... to report... to dig.

Dead. Killed. And this- This blood... A message. Her chest rose and fell sharply now, but the fear that had briefly surfaced earlier was gone. Replaced. Burned away. Her fingers curled slowly into fists. "That bitch..." she muttered under her breath, her voice low, dangerous. "That stalker..."

Her eyes lifted again, locking onto her reflection across the room. This time, there was no shock. No panic. Only fury. "You killed my men," she said quietly, her tone steady but laced with something lethal. The room felt colder. Heavier.

"I will find you." Each word deliberate. Controlled. Unforgiving. "Whoever you are..." Her jaw tightened. "And when I do-" A faint, chilling smile touched her lips. "You'll regret choosing the wrong side." Because this was no longer curiosity. No longer competition. This- Had become personal.

Thank you 😊