A week passed almost like a beautiful dream for the Romano family. For the first time in months, the mansion was filled with laughter instead of fear, happiness instead of grief. Everyone was busy. Very busy. The biggest reason was, of course, Enzo and Elena. After years of hidden feelings, misunderstandings, heartbreak, and pain, they were finally together.

And neither of them was willing to waste a single second. Three months. That was all that remained before their wedding. Three months before Elena Romano officially became Elena Morro. The entire family had practically turned wedding planning into a full-time job. Aravi and Lilli spent hours discussing venues, decorations, flowers, guest lists, and traditions.

Nonna had already prepared a notebook filled with ideas and opinions that nobody had asked for but everyone was forced to hear. Rose, Sofia, Kavya, and Kiara were constantly arguing about dresses. Meanwhile, Albert and Donato were pretending not to care while secretly managing half of the wedding preparations themselves.

As for the bride and groom. They were completely lost in each other. Every morning Enzo appeared at the Romano mansion. Every night he left reluctantly. They went on dates almost every day. Sometimes fancy restaurants. Sometimes quiet drives through the countryside. Sometimes simple walks where they did nothing except talk and hold hands.

After everything they had endured, even sitting together in silence felt precious. Elena slowly started becoming herself again. Not completely. The scars were still there. Some nights were still difficult. Some memories still haunted her. But she was healing. And Enzo made sure she never had to fight those battles alone.

Every time she looked lost, he was there. Every time fear appeared in her eyes, he reminded her she was safe. Every time she smiled, Enzo looked like a man who had been handed the entire world. Life finally felt peaceful. At least on the surface. Because tomorrow was another special day. Donato and Kiara's wedding anniversary.

A small family gathering had been planned at the Romano mansion. Nothing extravagant. Just family. Food. Laughter. Memories. And afterward Donato had something special planned. A surprise for his wife. Something he had been secretly arranging for weeks. Even Kiara had no idea what it was. Everything should have felt perfect.

And for most people, it did. But not for Rose. Rose was restless. Terrified. And completely alone with her fear. The first phone call had arrived seven days ago. Unknown number. Unknown voice. At first she had ignored it. Thought it was spam. A prank. Nothing serious. Then the second call came. Then the third. Then the fourth.

Every single day. Sometimes twice. Sometimes three times. Always from different numbers. Always from blocked lines.And every time The same voice. Cold. Calm. Threatening. The caller never introduced himself. Never explained what he wanted. He only spoke enough to make Rose's blood run cold. At first it sounded like harmless intimidation.

Then the man started mentioning things he should not know. Where she had been. Who she met. What she wore. What route she took to work. The exact café she visited two days ago. The restaurant she had dinner at last night. Things nobody should know. Things that made Rose feel watched. Hunted. The latest call had come only an hour ago.

Rose sat alone in her penthouse apartment. The city lights glittered outside her window. Usually she loved this view. Tonight she couldn't even look at it. Her phone rested on the coffee table in front of her. The screen was dark. Silent. Yet she stared at it as if it might explode. Her fingers trembled around the mug of tea she had made nearly twenty minutes ago. The tea had gone cold. Just like the fear sitting in her stomach.

She replayed the latest conversation again and again. The man's voice. His laugh. His words. A shiver ran through her body. Rose stood and walked toward the window. She wrapped her arms around herself. Trying to calm down. Trying to think logically. But her thoughts were a mess. Should she tell someone? Should she tell Donato?

The thought immediately appeared in her mind. Then disappeared. Kiara already hated the fact that Rose was close to him. The last conversation between them still echoed in her head. Stay away from my husband. Rose clenched her jaw. No. She couldn't go to Donato. Not now. Not after that. Then what about Enzo? The idea felt safer.

Enzo was reasonable. Protective. And despite everything, he still cared about her as a friend. But another voice immediately argued back. What if this is nothing? What if you're overreacting? What if you create problems for everyone during wedding preparations? What if Donato gets dragged into this? Rose groaned and rubbed her face. She was exhausted.

For an entire week she had barely slept. Every unknown notification made her jump. Every unfamiliar face made her nervous. Every shadow felt dangerous.And the worst part She didn't even know who was threatening her. Or why. Outside, the city continued moving as normal. People laughed. Cars drove by. Restaurants stayed open.

Life continued.But Rose felt like she was standing at the edge of something terrible. Something she couldn't see yet. Something waiting in the darkness. And deep down A feeling she couldn't explain kept whispering the same thing. These calls weren't random. Someone was planning something. And whatever it was. It was coming soon.

Rose's phone suddenly lit up on the coffee table. The bright screen made her flinch. For a few seconds, she simply stared at it. Her heart began beating faster. Another unknown number. Another message. Her fingers trembled as she slowly reached for the phone. A strange feeling settled in her stomach. Fear. Pure fear.

The same fear she had been carrying for an entire week. She unlocked the screen. And froze. The message contained only one sentence.

I know who Donato's stalker is. They are planning something big. If you want to save your friend, meet me here.****** An address followed beneath it.

Rose's eyes widened. The color immediately drained from her face. "No"The phone almost slipped from her hand. Her breathing became uneven. A thousand thoughts crashed into her mind at once. Donato's stalker. The words alone were enough to make her blood run cold.

Instantly, memories returned. The engagement party. The gunshots. The screams. The chaos. The sight of blood. The panic. Everything she had tried to forget came rushing back. Her chest tightened painfully. What if something like that happened again? What if this time someone died? What if tomorrow's family gathering became another nightmare?

Rose stood abruptly from the couch. The phone remained clutched tightly in her hand. She began pacing around the room."No" She shook her head repeatedly."This could be a trap." Of course it could. Any sane person would realize that immediately. The calls. The threats. The mysterious messages. Nothing about this situation was normal.

Whoever was contacting her clearly wanted something. The smart thing would be to call Donato immediately. Or Enzo. Or Albert. Anyone.But another thought immediately fought back. What if it's real? What if someone truly knows something? What if this is the only chance to stop another attack? Rose stopped walking.

Her breathing grew heavier. She looked down at the address again. Her stomach twisted. What if she ignored it? And tomorrow something happened? What if Donato got hurt? The image appeared instantly in her mind. Donato covered in blood. The Romano family suffering again.

Kiara crying. Elena reliving another nightmare. Rose squeezed her eyes shut. "No."The word came out broken. She couldn't risk it. She simply couldn't. Maybe she and Kiara didn't get along. Maybe things were awkward now. Maybe Donato belonged to someone else. But none of that changed one simple truth.

Donato was still her friend. One of the most important people in her life. And if there was even the smallest chance that he was in danger She couldn't sit here and do nothing. Her eyes slowly opened. Determination began replacing fear. Not completely. She was still terrified. But now there was purpose behind it.

She looked at the address one final time.Then grabbed her purse from the table. Her hands were still shaking. Her heart was still pounding. Every instinct told her this was a bad idea. A very bad idea. But the thought of ignoring the message felt even worse. "If this is a trap"Her voice was barely a whisper. She swallowed hard.

"Then I'll deal with it." A deep breath escaped her lips. Then she picked up her car keys. Tomorrow was supposed to be a happy day. A celebration. A family gathering. A peaceful moment for everyone after weeks of pain. And Rose was suddenly terrified that something was coming to destroy it. Without allowing herself time to change her mind, she walked toward the door.

The message remained open on her screen. The address glowing in the darkness. Waiting. And unknowingly Rose had just taken the first step toward something far more dangerous than she could imagine.

____

The Romano mansion had finally fallen silent. After an entire day filled with preparations, family discussions, laughter, and endless chaos, everyone had retreated to their rooms. For the first time since morning, there was peace. Soft moonlight filtered through the bedroom curtains, casting silver shadows across the room.

Kiara sat on the edge of the bed, slowly removing her earrings while staring at her reflection in the mirror. A small smile touched her lips. Tomorrow was supposed to be a special day. Their day. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice Donato watching her from the doorway.

His suit jacket was gone. His sleeves were rolled up. And for once, there was no Donato Romano the feared mafia leader. Only a husband looking at the woman he loved. A warmth settled inside his chest. Years could pass, and he was certain he would never get tired of looking at her.Quietly, he walked toward her.

Kiara noticed his reflection approaching and smiled. "There you are." Donato leaned down and pressed a kiss against her temple. "Missed me already?" A laugh escaped her lips. "You were gone for twenty minutes." "Exactly."His arms slipped around her shoulders from behind. "Far too long." Kiara rolled her eyes affectionately.

Donato gasped dramatically. Kiara burst into laughter. The sound immediately made him smile. God.How he loved that laugh. How many dark days had it pulled him through? How many battles had become easier because she was waiting for him at home? He didn't know. And he didn't care. All he knew was that life before Kiara felt empty. Life after Kiara felt complete. Slowly, he turned her chair toward him.

Their eyes met. For a moment neither spoke. They simply looked at each other. Sometimes words felt unnecessary between them. Donato reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "So beautiful." Kiara's cheeks immediately turned pink. Even after all this time. He could still make her blush. "Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like I'm the only woman in the world."

A grin appeared on his face. "You are." The answer came so quickly that she couldn't stop smiling. Donato gently pulled her to her feet. Then into his arms. The room became quiet again.No phones.No responsibilities.No family drama.Just them. Kiara rested her head against his chest. Listening to his heartbeat. Steady. Strong.Safe.Her favorite sound.

Donato rested his chin on top of her head. Neither one spoke for several minutes. They simply stood there holding each other. Sometimes love wasn't grand gestures. Sometimes it was silence. Comfort. Knowing someone was there. Kiara closed her eyes. "Promise me something."

Donato looked down. "Hm?"

"You will stay beside me like this always."

He chuckled. "That's your concern?"

"Yes."

"Sweetheart" His hand squeezed hers. "you dont have to ask i will be stay like this always."

A smile appeared on her lips. You didn't promise though she thought. Eventually exhaustion caught up to her. The week had been long. Emotionally draining. And tomorrow would be even busier. Donato helped her into bed. Within minutes she had fallen asleep beside him. Peaceful. Safe.

Completely unaware of the man staring at her like she hung the stars in the sky. Donato lay on his side. One arm supporting his head. Simply watching her sleep. The moonlight painted soft patterns across her face. A few strands of hair rested against her cheek. Carefully, he brushed them away.

His chest tightened. Not with pain. With love. The overwhelming kind. the kind that made him want to give her everything. The kind that made him want to protect her from every hurt this world could offer. A small smile touched his lips. Tomorrow---Tomorrow he would tell her everything.

Everything he never said enough. Everything he carried inside his heart. Tomorrow he would make sure she knew exactly how much she meant to him. Leaning forward, he pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead. His hand settled around her waist. Drawing her closer even in sleep.

"I love you," he whispered softly. His voice barely audible in the darkness. Then another smile appeared. "Tomorrow I'll tell you properly, Mrs. Kiara Donato Romano." He pressed one final kiss against her lips. Then wrapped both arms around her from behind. Holding her close.

Like he always did.Like he always planned to.Slowly, his eyes closed. Sleep eventually claimed him too. Neither of them knowing what tomorrow would bring. Neither of them knowing how quickly life could change. For now, there was only peace. Only warmth. Only love.

_____

The next day arrived wrapped in excitement. From early morning, the Romano mansion had been buzzing with activity. Workers moved in and out carrying flower arrangements, lighting equipment, tables, and decorations. The enormous garden behind the mansion was being transformed into something magical. White roses lined the pathways. Fairy lights were being woven through the trees.

Elegant tables stood beneath large decorative canopies while staff rushed around making sure every detail was perfect. Inside the mansion, the chaos was no less intense. Everyone was busy. Some were choosing jewelry. Some were getting their outfits prepared. Others were running around handling last-minute arrangements.

The entire family was excited for the evening celebration. Especially because nobody knew what Donato was secretly planning. Well almost nobody. Donato himself had disappeared shortly before noon. When Kiara had asked where he was going, he had simply kissed her forehead and smiled. "Something important came up. I'll be back in an hour."

It had sounded innocent enough. And because the entire week had been filled with preparations, Kiara hadn't thought much about it. Now, a few hours later, she sat comfortably in the living room phone in hand chatting with Krish while watching the household chaos unfold around her. For the first time all day, she felt relaxed.

A small smile rested on her face as she listened to Krish complain dramatically about being forced into helping with dadu sa in groceries. Then suddenly---Someone sat beside her. Kiara turned her head. Rose. For a moment neither woman spoke. An awkward silence settled between them. Not hostile. Just uncomfortable.

After everything that had happened between them recently, neither knew exactly how to start a conversation. Several seconds passed. Then Rose finally broke the silence. "Kiara" Her voice sounded softer than usual.

Kiara looked at her. Rose took a deep breath. "I wanted to say sorry." Kiara blinked. Rose looked down at her hands before continuing. "I realized my mistake." Her voice carried none of its usual confidence. "You're right. Donato is married." Kiara remained silent. Rose swallowed. "Whatever feelings I have for him. I need to forget them."

The words seemed difficult for her to say. Painful even. But she forced them out anyway. "I'll try to move on, Kiara." A sad smile appeared on her lips. "You don't have to feel insecure anymore." Then she added quietly, "And I'll maintain my distance from Donato." For a second, Kiara simply stared at her. Surprised.

Because this was not the Rose she had expected. No arguments. No sarcastic comments. No pride. Just honesty. "Are you okay?" Kiara asked carefully.

Rose laughed softly. "Totally fine." She leaned back against the sofa. "I'm saying the truth."

Kiara studied her face. Trying to determine whether she meant it. "Really?"

"Yeah." The answer came immediately. Something in Rose's expression made Kiara believe her. Slowly, the tension inside her chest eased. "That's good then." Rose looked at her hopefully. Kiara smiled. "I don't have any problem with you personally."

A visible wave of relief crossed Rose's face. "Then did you forgive me?"

Kiara thought about it for a moment. Then nodded. "I did." Rose stared at her. Suspicious. "How can I believe that?" Kiara laughed. A genuine laugh. "I really did, Rose." She shook her head. "I was jealous." The admission surprised even herself. "But now you're going to move on and forget everything." She smiled warmly. "So I'm going to forgive you."

Rose looked at her for several seconds. Then finally smiled too. A real smile. The first one between them in a long time. "We're good?"

"We're good." The atmosphere immediately became lighter. Almost normal. Then suddenly Rose snapped her fingers. Kiara frowned. "What?" Rose grinned mischievously. "Prove it."

"Huh?"

Rose sat forward excitedly. "Come shopping with me." Kiara blinked. "What?"

"I don't have a dress for tonight's party." Rose groaned dramatically. "I was so busy all week that I completely forgot." She buried her face in her hands. "When I checked my closet this morning, I realized I hate everything." Kiara couldn't help laughing. "That's a very serious problem."

"It is." Rose pointed accusingly at her. Then she grabbed Kiara's arm. "So come help me." Kiara immediately shook her head. "Rose, the party starts in three hours." She glanced at the clock. "It's already four." "I need to stay here."

"We'll be back in an hour." Rose waved dismissively. "Don't worry." Kiara looked uncertain. Rose immediately switched to pleading mode. "Please." The dramatic puppy eyes appeared. "I would've dragged Elena with me." She sighed. "But have you seen her this week?" Kiara laughed. "No."

"Exactly." Rose threw her hands in the air. "She's permanently attached to Enzo." That made both women laugh. "Seriously," Rose continued. "I don't think I've seen her alone for more than five minutes all week." Kiara smiled. Thinking about the happily engaged couple. Rose immediately took advantage of the moment.

"Come on." She stood up and grabbed Kiara's hand. "One hour." Kiara hesitated. "Rose"

"One hour."

"At least let me tell Donato."

Rose rolled her eyes dramatically. "You'll be back before he even returns." Then she smirked. "Besides" Kiara narrowed her eyes. "What?" Rose leaned closer. "You should enjoy some time alone." The teasing look on her face made Kiara blush immediately. "Rose!"

Rose burst out laughing. "There she is." Kiara tried to hide her smile. Failed completely. Finally she sighed. "Fine." Rose instantly jumped in victory. "Yes!"

"But we're coming back in exactly one hour." Rose nodded so quickly it looked suspicious. "Absolutely."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Kiara still looked uncertain. But eventually she smiled. "Okay." Within seconds, Rose was dragging her toward the front door. Neither woman noticed the strange glint that briefly appeared in Rose's eyes. Neither of them knew that while the Romano mansion prepared for a celebration. Elsewhere, events had already begun moving in a far darker direction. And after the sun set Everything would change.

____

Evening arrived wrapped in golden light. The Romano mansion looked breathtaking. Thousands of warm fairy lights illuminated the garden. White roses decorated every pathway. Elegant tables stood beneath glowing lanterns while soft music played through hidden speakers. The entire place looked like something taken straight out of a dream.

Everyone had spent the entire day preparing for this celebration. And now it was finally time. Donato had returned nearly two hours ago. The moment he entered the mansion, he looked around instinctively for one person. Kiara. A small smile had already appeared on his face as he imagined her reaction when she saw what he had planned.

But that smile slowly disappeared when he couldn't find her. At first, he wasn't worried. He assumed she was upstairs resting. The past month had been exhausting for everyone. Especially for Kiara she was often having migrane in this month. he insist everytime to go to hospital but she didnt listen but he was determine after this celebartion he will take her hospital to know. why she is having constant migrane, even if she refuse.

So he headed directly toward their bedroom.But when he opened the door The room was empty. His eyebrows furrowed. "Kiara?" No answer. He checked the balcony. Nothing. The dressing room. Nothing. The bathroom. Empty. A strange feeling settled inside his chest. Not fear. Just confusion. Where could she be?

He walked back downstairs. Maybe she was with Elena. But Elena was downstairs laughing softly with sofia while she teased her mercilessly about her upcoming wedding. No Kiara. He checked the library. The garden. The movie room. The kitchen.

Nothing. Eventually he reached Albert and Kavya's bedroom. Sometimes both women kicked their husbands out and spent hours gossiping together. Maybe that was where she was. Without thinking much, he opened the door. And immediately regretted it. the couple practically eating each other mouth.

Albert and Kavya flew apart from each other. Kavya let out a startled scream and disappeared into the bathroom so fast it looked like teleportation. Albert looked ready to commit murder. Donato froze. For one second. Two seconds. Then raised both hands peacefully. "Sorry." And immediately shut the door.

Inside the room A pillow smashed against the closed door. Albert's furious voice followed. "DO PEOPLE NOT KNOCK ANYMORE?" Donato rubbed his forehead while walking away. "Noted." A few minutes later Albert came downstairs still glaring at him. The entire family laughed while Donato ignored every single one of them.

But even after checking almost everywhere There was still no sign of Kiara. His confusion slowly began turning into irritation. Then concern. He asked Sofia. No. Aravi. No. Elena. No. Kavya. No. Nobody had seen her for hours. That was when one of the household workers approached Aravi nervously. "Madam"

Everyone looked toward her. "I saw Madam Kiara leaving with Miss Rose this afternoon." The entire room went silent. Donato immediately stood up. His expression changing instantly. "When?" The worker thought for a moment. "Around four o'clock, sir." Four. Donato checked his watch. It was nearly seven now. Three hours. His jaw tightened. "They still haven't returned?"

The worker shook her head. "No, sir." The atmosphere shifted immediately. Not enough to cause panic. But enough to make everyone uneasy. Donato pulled out his phone and called Kiara. The call went directly to voicemail. His frown deepened. He called again. Nothing. Then again. Still nothing.Finally "Her phone is switched off."

The words came out colder than intended. A chill passed through the room. Elena's smile disappeared. Kavya exchanged a look with Albert. Rose wasn't answering either. They had already tried several times. No response. Not even a text. An hour passed. Then another. The celebration that had been filled with excitement slowly transformed into something else.

Waiting. Everyone remained dressed and ready. Aravi sat on the sofa twisting her fingers nervously. Nonna quietly prayed under her breath. Elena kept glancing toward the front gate every few minutes. Albert was making call after call. Still nothing. And Donato---Donato was reaching the end of his patience.

He stood near the large living room window. Still wearing the expensive black suit he had specifically chosen because Kiara once said it made him look handsome. His hair was perfectly styled. The ring box hidden inside his jacket pocket felt heavier with every passing minute. The proposal. The surprise. The date he had planned.

Everything waited for one person. His wife. And she was nowhere to be found. He stared out toward the mansion gates. His jaw clenched tightly. How could she be this careless? How could she leave for an hour and disappear for three? Especially today. Of all days. A hundred thoughts ran through his mind.

Most of them irrational. But he couldn't stop them. What if the car broke down? What if there was an accident? What if No. Donato immediately crushed the thought. Kiara was fine. She had to be fine. Still The uneasiness inside his chest refused to leave. The mansion remained beautifully lit.

The music still played softly. The celebration was ready. But nobody was celebrating anymore. Because the only thing every member of the Romano family was watching now. Was the front gate. Waiting for Kiara and Rose to come home.

Suddenly the mansion gates open broke the heavy silence that had settled over the Romano estate.Everyone immediately looked toward the entrance. For one brief second, relief washed through the room. They're back. Donato was the first to move. A smile almost appeared on his face as he stood from his seat. But it vanished the moment he saw who was running toward the mansion. Rose. Alone.

She stumbled through the front entrance, breathing heavily. Her makeup was ruined. Tears streamed endlessly down her face. Her hands shook so violently that she could barely hold herself upright. The moment Donato saw her condition, a cold feeling settled in his stomach. No. No. Where was Kiara?

He crossed the distance in seconds. His fingers wrapped tightly around Rose's shoulders. "Where were you?" His voice was sharp. Demanding. Desperate. His eyes immediately searched behind her. Looking for Kiara. Expecting her to walk through the door any second. But there was nobody. Only darkness outside. Only empty space.

Donato's heart dropped. Slowly. Painfully. His grip tightened. "Where is Kiara?" His voice came out colder this time. Everyone was already on their feet now. All of them staring. Waiting. Rose opened her mouth. But no words came out. Only sobs. Violent, uncontrollable sobs. She looked terrified. Completely shattered.

Donato frowned. he look at her properly that's when he noticed how pale she looked. How badly she was trembling. "What happened?" His voice lost some of its harshness."Rose..."A knot formed in his throat. "Where is my wife?" Rose cried harder. And that only made the fear inside him grow. Every second felt unbearable.

"Rose." Nothing. Just crying. Donato's patience snapped. "I ASKED YOU SOMETHING!" His voice thundered through the room. Everyone flinched. Even Rose. "WHERE IS KIARA?" His chest rose and fell violently. "She was with you, wasn't she?" "Why didn't she come back with you?" The entire mansion had gone silent. Rose tried speaking. Failed. Then tried again.

"I-I..."She wiped her tears."I don't know where she is, Donato." The room froze. Nobody moved. Nobody breathed. For a second, nobody even understood what she had just said. Aravi was the first to react. "What do you mean you don't know where she is?" Her voice shook. "Didn't she go with you?"

Rose nodded immediately. "Y-yes, Auntie." More tears fell. "She came with me." Everyone exchanged confused looks. Nothing made sense. If Kiara went with Rose.Then how could Rose not know where she was? Donato stared at her. His face had gone completely blank. The dangerous kind of blank. The kind that came before a storm. Then he spoke.

Slowly. Carefully. "What happened tell me clearly?" Rose opened her mouth. Closed it again. Her entire body shook. Fear. Guilt.Panic. Everything was visible on her face. "Rose." Donato took one step forward. This time his voice was frighteningly calm. "What happened to my wife?" Rose finally broke. "For fuck's sake, stop crying and tell me what happened!"

Donato roared. The force of his voice echoed throughout the mansion. Rose jumped in fear. Then the words burst out of her mouth all at once. "I don't know where she is because she got kidnapped!" Silence. Absolute silence. The world stopped. Donato froze.

Nobody blinked. It was as if the entire mansion had been turned to stone. Donato stared at Rose. His mind refusing to process what he had heard. Kidnapped. The word echoed inside his head. Again. And again. And again. "No." The whisper escaped his lips. Rose cried harder."Donato---

"No." His voice was louder now. His eyes had gone bloodshot. "What did you say?" Rose covered her mouth. "She got kidnapped." The words shattered whatever remained of the evening. The celebration. The decorations. The lights. The music. Everything became meaningless. Donato's entire body went rigid. His heartbeat hammered violently inside his chest.

"When?" The question came out barely above a whisper. Rose looked down. "A-around five." The room erupted. "What?" Albert stepped forward. "Five?" his face lost all color. Five o'clock. It was almost eight now. Three hours. Kiara had been missing for three hours. Three hours. Donato stared at Rose. His expression slowly changing. Fear turning into anger. Raw. Explosive. Dangerous anger.

"And you're telling me this now?" His voice shook. Not from fear. From rage. "Three hours." He took another step toward her. Rose backed away instinctively. "THREE HOURS?" His roar made everyone jump. "WHERE WERE YOU?" Rose cried harder. "I-I was waiting for them!"

The answer made everyone freeze. Donato's eyebrows furrowed. His anger paused for a second. "For them?" His voice turned dangerously quiet. "For who, Rose?" Rose wiped her tears with trembling hands. "For Enzo." Confusion spread across every face in the room. Albert frowned. Aravi looked completely lost.

Even Donato stared at her as if she had spoken another language. "Enzo?" His voice was sharp. "What does Enzo have to do with this?" Rose took a shaky breath. Trying to calm herself. But her entire body was still trembling. "I-I called him when it happened." The room fell silent. Nobody interrupted. Nobody moved. Rose continued.

"I told him everything." Her voice cracked. "I told him Kiara was taken." Donato's jaw clenched. "And?" Rose looked down. "Enzo said he knew who did it." The entire room froze. "He said he knew who kidnapped her." A chill spread through the mansion. Donato's eyes darkened immediately. Rose continued before anyone could stop her. "He told me not to panic."

"He said he would go there himself." Her tears fell harder. "He said he would bring Kiara back before the party started." Silence. Dead silence. The words settled over the room like a nightmare. Rose covered her mouth as another sob escaped. "I waited for them." Her voice shattered. "I thought they would come back." "I thought everything would be okay."

She shook her head frantically. "But they didn't." Her breathing became uneven. "It's been three hours." She looked around the room helplessly. "Neither Enzo nor Kiara came back." The realization hit everyone at the same time. Enzo wasn't here. Nobody had noticed. Not until now. Because all evening they had been focused on Kiara.

But now Everyone remembered. Enzo had disappeared hours ago. No calls. No messages. No updates. Nothing. Elena's face instantly lost all color. Her heart dropped."No"The whisper escaped her lips. Her fingers tightened around Aravi's arm. It meant Enzo was gone too.

Both of them. Kiara. Enzo. Missing. For three hours. Her breathing started becoming uneven. Fear spread through her chest like poison. Aravi immediately wrapped an arm around her daughter. But even she looked terrified now. Donato slowly turned back toward Rose. His expression had become unreadable.

Almost frightening. "Why didn't you call me?" The question came out low. Deadly calm. Rose immediately broke down again. "I was scared!" She cried desperately. "I didn't know what to do!" Her voice echoed through the room. "I thought if Enzo found Kiara everything would be okay!" "I thought he would bring her back!" Her tears wouldn't stop.

"You were already busy with the party I panicked. I couldn't think So I called Enzo." She covered her face. "But now he's gone too." The room went silent again. Nobody knew what to say. Nobody knew how to fix this. Donato stood completely still. Not moving. Not blinking. His mind was racing. Connecting pieces. Putting everything together.

Kiara kidnapped. Enzo immediately rushing after her. Both disappearing. No contact. No trace. Three hours. Only one name appeared in his mind. Lucas. Of course. Who else could it be? The answer felt so obvious now. Lucas. The bastard who had spent months trying to destroy everyone connected to the Romano family. The bastard who never stopped. The bastard who always came back.

Donato clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. His breathing slowed. Which somehow made him look even more dangerous. Everyone knew this version of him. The calmer he became The deadlier he was. Albert noticed it first. His brother's eyes. There was no panic in them anymore. No confusion. Only cold fury.

The kind that destroyed lives. The kind that started wars. Donato slowly pulled out his phone. Then looked at Albert. "Call every man we have." His voice was calm. Too calm. "Every single one." Albert immediately nodded. Donato looked toward his guards.

"Lock down every property.Every airport Every private dock. Every road leading out of the city." The guards instantly moved. Nobody questioned him. Nobody hesitated. Because everyone understood. This was no longer a celebration. This was a hunt. Donato looked toward the mansion doors.

His eyes burning with determination. Somewhere out there His wife was waiting. Somewhere out there His best friend was fighting. And whoever had touched them. Whoever had taken them. Would pray for death long before Donato Romano was finished with them.

Donato was already moving toward the door. Every second felt like torture. his wife and brother was missing.And every passing moment felt like another knife twisting deeper into his chest. He had to find them. Now. before he could take another step---

A hand suddenly grabbed his wrist. Donato stopped. Slowly. He turned around. Rose stood there. Still crying. Still shaking. But there was something different in her eyes now. Fear. Not fear for herself. Fear of what she was about to say. "Donato" Her voice trembled. "You need to know something."

The room immediately fell silent. Donato frowned. "What is it?" Rose swallowed hard. Then said the words. "I know who your stalker is." The entire mansion froze. Nobody move. Donato stared at her. For a second he thought he had heard wrong. His stalker. The person who had been watching him for years.

The person who make his life hell. Threatened women around him. Destroyed relationships. Always present. Always hidden. His jaw tightened. "W-who?" His voice came out rough. "And how do you know?" Rose looked directly into his eyes. Then dropped the bomb.

"It's Kiara."

Boom.💥
I don't have anything to say, tell me guys how it is I am kinda nervous.