Silence. Absolute silence. Then Donato laughed. A short laugh. Disbelieving. Almost offended. Everyone looked at him. He shook his head. "Are you insane?" His voice rose instantly. "Have you lost your mind?" He took a step toward her. Anger flashing across his face. "How can my wife be my stalker?"

The very idea sounded ridiculous. Impossible. Absurd. Kiara? His Kiara? The woman who cried in his arms. The woman who smiled at him like he was her entire world. The woman he loved more than his own life. No. Impossible. "Who told you this nonsense?" He demanded.

Rose flinched. But didn't back down. "I know you don't believe me." Her voice cracked. "But it's the truth, Donato."

"STOP." Donato cut her off immediately. His eyes had gone cold. The dangerous kind of cold. "Not now, Rose.Not when my wife is missing. who the hell told you this. he ask."

Listning donato question, rose gulp she can't tell donato truth that who told her about kiara, about stalker her mind drifted yesterday when she reacive that message.
***

Yesterday. The moment Rose received that message, her entire day had been ruined. She had stared at her phone screen for almost ten minutes. The words refusing to leave her mind. I know who Donato's stalker is. They are planning something big. If you want to save your friend, meet me at this address.

At first she had wanted to ignore it. Delete it. Forget it. But she couldn't. What if it was true? What if something happened to Donato because she ignored the warning? That fear eventually won. And she find herself Standing outside an abandoned warehouse at the edge of the city.

The place looked deserted. Cold. The evening wind brushed against her skin, making her shiver. she looked around scardly. Every instinct inside her was telling her to leave. This was a bad idea. But she had already come this far.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly pushed the door open. The rusty metal creaked loudly. The sound echoed throughout the silent building. Rose stepped inside nervously. Her heels clicking against the concrete floor. The warehouse was dimly lit. Only a few lights hung from the ceiling.

And then she saw him. A man sitting calmly on a chair near the center of the room. One leg crossed over the other. Looking as if he owned the world. Lucas. Rose froze instantly. Her stomach dropped. Of course she knew who he was. Everyone in Italy knew who Lucas was. The biggest enemy of the Romano family. The man who had spent years trying to destroy them.

The moment Lucas noticed her, a slow smile appeared on his face. As if he had been expecting her. Rose immediately took a step back. Fear flashed through her eyes. "Y-you." Her voice shake. "Why did you call me here?"

Lucas remained completely calm. "Relax, Miss Rose." His tone was smooth. "I'm not here to hurt you." Rose didn't believe a word of it. Not even for a second. Lucas leaned back in his chair. "I'm here to tell you something important." His smile widened slightly. "Something that will change your life."

Rose crossed her arms defensively. Trying to appear braver than she felt. "And why would I listen to you?" She asked sharply. "Why would I believe anything you say?" Lucas looked amused. As if her reaction entertained him. Then he answered. "Because what I'm about to tell you" His eyes gleamed. "will give you Donato."

Rose immediately frowned. "What?" The confusion on her face was obvious. Lucas nodded. "You heard me." Rose stared at him. Unable to understand. "What do you mean?" Lucas slowly stood up. His expensive shoes echoed against the floor as he walk towards her. Not too close. Just enough to scare her.

"I know about your feelings." Rose's body immediately tensed. Her face paled. Lucas smirked. "You love Donato." The words felt like a slap. Rose looked away immediately. Ashamed. Exposed. But Lucas continued. "You watch him." "You care about him." "You worry about him." "And no matter how hard you try to deny it" His voice lowered.you're in love with him."

Rose clenched her fists. "I don't know what you're talking about." Lucas laughed softly. "You don't need to lie to me." Silence. Then he continued. "The only reason Donato can never be yours He paused.is because of Kiara."

Rose immediately looked up. Anger flashing through her eyes. "Enough." Her voice became firm. "Whatever you're trying to do won't work." Lucas raised an eyebrow. Rose stepped forward. "Yes I have feelings for Donato." she admitted it aloud. Even if it was wrong. "But that doesn't mean I would steal him from Kiara."

Her eyes hardened. "She is his wife. And he loves her." Lucas watched her carefully. Studying her. Like a predator studying prey. Rose continued. "I'm not that kind of woman. No matter how much I love him. I would never destroy his marriage. he is happy with her she is good for him"

A strange smile appeared on Lucas's face. As if he had expected exactly that answer. Then he spoke. Carefully. "What if I told you. He paused deliberately. that Kiara has been lying to him this entire time?"

Rose frowned immediately. "What?"

"What if I told you she has been betraying him for years?" Lucas continued. "And what if I told you. His smile widened. that the woman Donato trusts most in this world is actually the person who has been deceiving him all along?"

Rose stared at Lucas. Completely confused. Nothing he was saying made sense. Not even a little. "Mr. Lucas..." She shook her head slowly. "I don't understand what you're talking about." Lucas leaned back against the table behind him. His eyes never left her face.

A strange smile played on his lips. The kind of smile that made people uncomfortable. "You will." His voice was calm. "You will understand once you hear the truth." Rose folded her arms across her chest. Trying to hide her growing unease. He laughed softly to himself. " you know that Your best friend, Donato Romano. He paused.'has been searching for one person for years."

Rose frowned. "The stalker."

Lucas nodded. "Exactly. The stalker." His smile widened. "The one person who managed to deceive Donato Romano. The one person he desperately wants to find. The one person he swore he would kill if he ever discovered their identity." Rose listened silently. Lucas took a step closer.

"The funny part is. His eyes gleamed. "the person he's been searching for all this time has been standing right beside him." Rose frowned harder. She still didn't understand. "What does that mean?" Lucas looked directly into her eyes. Then dropped the bomb.

"It's his wife." The words echoed through the warehouse. Rose froze. Her mind went completely blank. "It's Kiara Romano." Her eyes widened instantly. Shock spread across her face. "No." The answer escaped her lips immediately. "No this can't be true."

Lucas simply watched her reaction. "It's true."

Rose shook her head frantically. "No. This doesn't make any sense." Her voice became louder. "Why would Kiara stalk her own husband?" Lucas almost looked amused by the question. "Because she's obsessed with him." Rose froze. Lucas continued. "For years."

"Long before they got married." "Long before Donato even knew she existed." His voice remained calm. As if he were discussing the weather. "Kiara didn't want any other woman near him. So she made sure no other woman stayed near him."

Rose's heart started beating faster. "No. You're lying." Lucas ignored her. "Every woman who tried to get close to Donato. His eyes darkened. "was threatened. Scared. Driven away." Rose's face paled. Lucas continued mercilessly. "His ex-girlfriend?" A pause. Dead she kill her."

"The women around him? Gone. The clients who flirted with him? Threatened. He never understood why it kept happening." Lucas smiled. "But Kiara understood." Rose stared at him. Unable to process any of it. Every instinct inside her rejected the story.

Kiara? Sweet. Kind. Loving Kiara? The same woman who spent all her time taking care of others? Impossible. "You're lying." Her voice came out weaker this time. "I don't believe you." Lucas nodded slowly. "As expected." Then he walked toward the table. Opened a folder. And pulled out a tablet. "That's why I prepared proof."

Rose's stomach tightened. Lucas pressed play. A video appeared on the screen. The footage was dark. Poor quality. A badly injured man sat tied to a chair. His face bruised. Blood visible near his mouth. Rose immediately recognized him as someone under interrogation. The man looked terrified. Lucas fast-forwarded the recording. Then stopped.

The man's weak voice filled the warehouse. Rose listened. And with every sentence The color drained further from her face. The man described receiving orders. Threatening women. Watching women. Scaring them away from Donato. Making them disappear from his life. And according to him Those orders came from Kiara.

Rose stared at the screen. Unable to blink. Unable to breathe. "No" The whisper escaped her lips. "This can't be real." Lucas watched her carefully. Like a hunter watching a trapped animal. Then he delivered the final blow. "And do you know the funniest part?" Rose slowly looked at him. Lucas smiled.

" Your best freind Enzo he knows." The words hit harder than everything else. Rose froze. "What?" Lucas nodded. "Oh yes. Your precious Enzo knows." He pointed toward the tablet. "This is the same man Enzo found months ago. The same man who told him the truth. The same man who revealed Kiara's identity."

Rose's eyes widened. Lucas continued. "Enzo discovered everything. He learned who the stalker was. He learned what Kiara had done. And then..."Lucas laughed softly. "he kept it a secret."

Rose's breathing became uneven. "No." She shook her head. "No, Enzo would've told Donato." Lucas shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain." His voice lowered. "He knows." Silence filled the warehouse. Heavy. Rose stared at the frozen image on the tablet. Her thoughts were spinning. Nothing felt real anymore.

Lucas slowly stepped back. Giving her space. Because that was exactly what he wanted. Doubt. Confusion. Chaos. "If you still don't believe me. Lucas said quietly. "Then go ask Enzo yourself." His smirk returned. "He'll tell you exactly who Donato's stalker is."

Rose stood like statue. Her mind was struggling to process everything Lucas had just told her. Kiara. The stalker. Enzo knowing the truth. Nothing made sense anymore. She slowly looked up at Lucas. "W-why are you telling me this?" Her voice trembled. "What do you want from me?"

Lucas smiled. A evil smile. that made Rose uncomfortable. "There it is." He folded his arms across his chest. "The important question." Rose stared at him cautiously. Lucas took a few slow steps around her. "What I want from you"He paused. "is your help."

Rose frowned immediately. "My help?" She looked genuinely confused.

Lucas nodded. "Yes." "Your help." Rose's heartbeat sped up. Every instinct told her to leave. Nothing good could come from helping Lucas. Nothing. Lucas noticed her fear. He chuckled softly. "Relax." "I won't ask you to kill anyone." His tone almost sounded amused. Rose remained silent. "I just need one thing." Lucas stopped walking. His eyes locked onto hers. "I need Kiara Romano."

The warehouse suddenly felt colder. Rose's stomach dropped. "What?" Lucas continued. "I need you to make sure she comes out of the Romano mansion alone." "That's all." Rose stared at him. Unable to understand. "W-why?" She asked. Lucas looked away for a moment. As if considering how much to reveal. Then he shrugged.

"I have some personal business with her." His voice became smooth again. "I just need to talk. Nothing more." Rose didn't believe him. Not for a second. "This is Lucas," she thought. "The man who hates the Romanos." "The man who's been trying to destroy them for years." And he expected her to believe he only wanted to talk? "No."

She shook her head immediately. "Why would I listen to you?" Lucas sighed dramatically. Almost disappointed. Then he smiled again. A darker smile this time. "Come on, Rose." "Stop pretending." His words immediately made her tense. Lucas continued. "You want Donato." Rose looked away. Lucas smirk. "You love him You always have."

Lucas stepped closer. "And the truth I just told you." His eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me it didn't affect you." Rose remained quiet. Because it had affected her. Far more than she wanted to admit. Lucas saw it. And pressed harder. "Think about it. If Donato learns the truth" His voice lowered. "What do you think will happen?"

Rose swallowed. Lucas answered his own question. "He'll hate her." Rose's heart skipped a beat. "He hates his stalker.He has spent years hunting that person. Years." Lucas leaned forward slightly. "And now imagine finding out that person is your own wife." Rose looked down. Unable to answer. Lucas continued relentlessly. "He'll never forgive her."

His voice was calm. "Maybe he'll leave her."Maybe he'll divorce her. And then" His smile widened. "your road becomes clear." Rose immediately looked up. "No." She shook her head. "That's not what I want." Lucas laughed softly. "Isn't it?" Rose didn't answer. Because a small part of her hated that his words had planted doubt in her heart. Lucas continued.

"I'm not asking you to betray Donato. I'm helping him." He pointed toward the tablet. "The real betrayal already happened. Kiara has been lying to him for years." Rose remained silent. Lucas lowered his voice. Almost as if sharing a secret. "If you don't believe me" He shrugged. "Fine." "Go confirm it.""Ask Enzo." "You'll get your answer."

Then he took another step closer. "And after you confirm the truth" His eyes darkened. "tell Donato. Tell him who Kiara really is." Rose's breathing became uneven. Lucas saw her hesitation. And delivered the final strike. "Don't feel bad for her." His voice became cold. "She's not the innocent woman she pretends to be." "She's a murderer." Rose flinched. Lucas continued. "She killed his ex."

"She manipulated everyone around her. Everything was done so she could have Donato all to herself." Rose closed her eyes briefly. Trying to block out his words. But then another memory surfaced. A memory she had buried. Kiara standing in Donato's office. Cold. Possessive. Dangerous. The day she had warned her. The day she had told her to stay away from Donato. The day she had threatened to destroy her friendship with him if she crossed the line.

At the time Rose had dismissed it as jealousy. As insecurity. As a wife protecting her marriage. But now. After hearing Lucas's story. That memory felt different. Much darker. Rose's eyes widened. Lucas immediately noticed. And smiled. Because he knew exactly what had happened. The seed of doubt had finally taken root. And now Rose was no longer sure what was true. Or who she should trust.

Rose stood silently in the middle of the warehouse. The air suddenly felt suffocating. Everything Lucas had told her was already overwhelming enough. But what he said next made her blood run cold. Lucas watched her carefully before speaking. "I'm not telling you to kill Kiara, Rose." His voice was calm. Almost reasonable. 'I only need one thing." He spread his hands casually. "Make her leave the mansion alone." "That's it

"I won't do anything to her." The confidence in his voice sounded fake. Even Rose could hear it. Yet before she could argue, Lucas's expression darkened. "But if you don't"He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. The smirk slowly returned to his face.then we have a problem." Rose's stomach tightened. Lucas unlocked his phone and showed her something. A video. Rose immediately recognized the warehouse.

Recognized herself standing there. Talking to him. Her face lost all color. "You recorded this?" Lucas smiled. "Of course." Rose's heart started racing. Lucas slowly slipped the phone back into his pocket. "If you refuse to help me."His voice turned colder."this video goes straight to Donato and Enzo." Rose opened her mouth. But Lucas wasn't finished. "Not the original version." His smile widened. "No." "I'll edit it."

The realization hit Rose instantly. Her eyes widened. Lucas nodded. Exactly. It will look like you've been working with me. It will look like you've been helping the enemy of the Romano family." Rose felt sick. "No"Her voice came out weak.

"Oh yes.And you know exactly what that means." Rose swallowed hard. Lucas didn't stop. "Your precious friendship with Donato? Gone. "Your friendship with Enzo? Gone.The entire Romano family?" "Gone." His eyes locked onto hers. "They'll throw you out of their lives." Rose's breathing became uneven. The thought alone terrified her. The Romanos had become her family. The only people she truly cared about. The idea of losing them---Especially Donato Made her chest hurt.

Lucas saw the panic in her eyes. and smiled. Because he knew he was winning. "You have a simple task." His tone became almost friendly again. "Do it. Or be prepared to lose everything." Rose clenched her fists. "You don't understand---"

"No." Lucas interrupted. "You don't understand." His voice sharpened. "If what I'm telling you is true, then helping me benefits you." He pointed toward her. "You get justice for Donato." Then he added quietly. "And maybe." His eyes gleamed. you finally get the man you've always wanted." Rose immediately looked away. Ashamed. Angry. Confused. "Why are you doing this?" She asked suddenly. Lucas raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"What business do you have with Kiara?" Rose demanded. " For a moment, Lucas's expression changed. Something dark flashed through his eyes. Something personal. Something hateful. But it disappeared just as quickly. "You don't need to know everything, Miss Rose." His voice became cold. Just do what I told you." Rose stared at him. Waiting for more. But Lucas simply turned away. The conversation was clearly over for him. "You can leave now."

He walked back toward his chair. "But remember one thing." His voice echoed through the warehouse. "You have until tomorrow." Rose froze. Lucas sat down slowly. "If Kiara isn't out of that mansion by tomorrow." He looked directly at her. ".then I send the video." Silence filled the room. Rose's mind spun. She felt trapped. No matter what she chose, someone would get hurt. Lucas waited. Patiently. Knowing exactly what she was thinking.

Finally Rose took a shaky breath. Then another. And slowly lifted her head. "There won't be any need for that." Lucas smiled immediately. Because he already knew what she was going to say. Rose clenched her jaw. "I'll help you." The words felt bitter in her mouth. Lucas's smile widened. "If what you're saying is true" Rose continued. Her voice shaking slightly. "then I will make sure Kiara is out of Donato's life."

Anger flashed across her face. How could she do something like that to him?" "How could she play with his feelings?" Lucas leaned back in his chair. Completely satisfied. "That's the spirit." A dark laugh escaped him. The sound echoed through the warehouse. Rose didn't laugh. not respond. Because for some reason Even after agreeing Something inside her still felt wrong. But she ignored it. Turned around. And walked away. Without another word. Without looking back. While behind her Lucas watched her leave. And smiled. The kind of smile that belonged to a man whose plan was finally falling perfectly into place.

That was why Rose had convinced Kiara to leave the mansion with her. A simple shopping trip. At least that was what Kiara believed. Rose had never intended for things to go this far. Lucas had told her only one thing. Bring Kiara out of the mansion. That's all. He had said he only wanted to talk to her. Nothing more. Rose had believed him. Or maybe she had wanted to believe him. Because at that moment she was angry.

Angry at Kiara. Angry at the possibility that everything Lucas had told her might be true. Angry that Donato could have been lied to for years. So she had done exactly what Lucas asked. And now. Now she wished she could take everything back. The moment those men had appeared in the mall parking lot, Rose knew something was wrong. Everything had happened too fast. One second she and Kiara were walking toward the car.

The next second several men surrounded them. Kiara immediately pushed Rose behind her. Rose still remembered that. Even now. Even after everything. Kiara's first instinct had been to protect her. The memory made her chest tighten. The men grabbed Kiara. Kiara fought. Hard. Rose had never seen that side of her before. She kicked one man. Elbowed another. Tried to break free. But there were too many of them.

Within seconds they forced her into a vehicle. And disappeared. Leaving Rose standing alone in the parking lot. Shaking. Terrified. At first she wasn't worried. Lucas had said he only wanted to talk. So she waited. She sat in her car. Watching the road. Expecting Kiara to return any minute. Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. Then forty. An hour. Nothing. No call. No message. No sign of Kiara. the knot in Rose's stomach grew tighter.

What if Lucas had lied? What if he never intended to talk? What if he planned to hurt her? Or worse. Kill her. The thought made Rose feel sick. Immediately she grabbed her phone. And called the only person she could think of. Enzo. He answered after the second ring. His voice immediately tense. "Rose?"

The panic in her voice must have alarmed him. Because she barely finished explaining before he demanded the location. Less than thirty minutes later, Enzo arrived. The moment he stepped out of his car, Rose rushed toward him. His face was already dark with worry. "What happened?" Rose quickly told him everything. How men had taken Kiara. How she didn't know where they went. How they disappeared. But she left out one important detail. Lucas. She never mentioned his name.

Never told Enzo about the meeting. Never told him she had helped make this happen. Enzo listened silently. His jaw tightening more and more. Then Rose asked the question that had been eating her alive. "is the donato stalker is non other kiara his own wife?" Enzo froze. Rose noticed immediately. Her heart sank. "Tell me the truth."

She stared directly at him. "Was she is the stalker you know that aren't you?" Enzo looked away. For only a second. But that second was enough. Rose felt her stomach drop. Because she already had her answer. His expression had confirmed it. Everything. Enzo knew. He had known all along. Her eyes widened. "You're serious."

Enzo remained silent. And silence was answer enough. Rose took a step back. Disbelief flashing across her face. "You knew." Her voice cracked. "You knew all this time." Enzo closed his eyes briefly. "Rose---"

"No." She cut him off. "How could you do this to Donato?" Her voice rose. Filled with anger. "She's been lying to him." "Betraying him." "And you knew." Tears filled her eyes. "And you didn't tell him?" Enzo ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "You don't know the whole story." "Then tell me."

"I can't right now." His voice was firm. Rose stared at him. Unable to understand. "Yeah." Enzo nodded. "I know I was wrong for hiding it." "I know. But I had my reasons." His eyes hardened. "And right now none of that matters." He pointed toward the road. "Kiara is missing. That's what matters." Rose opened her mouth. But Enzo continued. "I'll explain everything. To everyone. But first I have to find her."

Rose's heart pounded. "You know who took her?" Enzo nodded immediately. His expression turning dangerous. "Yes." The answer came without hesitation. And somehow that terrified Rose even more. Because it meant Enzo already knew where he was going. And whoever had Kiara Was dangerous. Very dangerous. Enzo started walking back toward his car.

Rose quickly grabbed his arm. "Wait." His eyes met hers. "You'll bring her back, right?" For a moment, Enzo didn't answer. Then he nodded. "I'll bring her home." His voice was quiet. Certain. Absolute. Then he gently removed her hand from his arm. "Go home, Rosie "Relax." "I'll be back with Kiara." "And until then. His eyes narrowed. "Don't tell anyone anything."

Rose nodded weakly please come back safly. Enzo nodded and got into his car. And drove away. She watched the taillights disappear into the distance. And for the first time that day She felt truly afraid. Not for Kiara. Not anymore. For Enzo. Because she knew exactly where he was going. And she knew who he was going after.

Hours passed. Rose remained inside her car. Waiting. Watching. Praying. One hour. Then two. Still nothing. No call. No message. No sign of Enzo. Her anxiety became unbearable. She called him. The call didn't connect. She tried again. And again. And again. Nothing. Eventually a cold automated voice answered. His phone was switched off. Rose froze. Her heart dropped.

"No."She whispered. What if something had happened? What if Lucas had trapped him too? What if Enzo was hurt? Or dead? The thought hit her harder than she expected. Because at that moment she realized something. She didn't care about Kiara anymore. Not right now. Her only concern was Enzo. The man who had always protected her whom she called her little lizard brother. The man who had driven away without hesitation to save someone. he might now be in danger because of her.

Rose gripped the steering wheel tightly. Tears filled her eyes. She couldn't sit here anymore. Couldn't keep waiting. She needed help. And there was only one person powerful enough to fix this. Donato Romano. Rose wiped her tears. Started the engine. And drove toward the Romano mansion. Ready to tell them everything.
****

Present scene...

But Rose shook her head desperately. "No." "You need to hear this.I heard it myself." she lied smoothly. its far better then telling donato that she meet with lucas and he told her the truth. The room became even quieter.

"What did you hear?" Albert asked carefully. Rose looked at him. Then at Donato. Then spoke. "I heard Enzo and kiara." Everyone froze. Rose continued. "I heard them talking." Her breathing became uneven again. "A few months ago.He found out who your stalker was."

Donato's heartbeat suddenly slowed. Something cold settled inside his chest. Because Enzo had indeed been investigating the stalker. Donato knew that. He remembered. Enzo had disappeared for days. Made calls. Asked questions. Followed leads. Then one day He had simply stopped talking about it.

At the time Donato had been too busy to push further. Now that memory suddenly returned.And for the first time A small crack appeared in his certainty. Rose saw it. And continued. "Enzo found out months ago.He discovered who it was." She took a shaky breath. "And that person was Kiara."

"No." The word left Donato instantly. Sharp. Firm. Certain.

Rose's tears fell harder. "He never told you because he didn't know what to do."He knew how much you loved her."

Donato's fists clenched. "Enough." But Rose kept going. As if she knew she would never get another chance. "She was the one watching you.She was the one threatening women around you.She was the one who got rid of every woman who came close to you. she was the one who kill your ex" The room looked completely stunned now.

Elena's eyes widened. Aravi covered her mouth. Kavya looked pale. Albert looked frozen. And Donato---Donato simply stood there. Not moving. Not blinking. Rose's final words hit hardest. "She wasn't working alone. She had people around you Men People helping her. And Enzo knew." Silence. Heavy. Suffocating silence.

A bead of sweat slid down Donato's forehead. For the first time tonight Not because of fear for Kiara. But because doubt had entered his mind. Tiny. Small. Barely there. But it was there. And he hated it. His breathing became uneven. "No." He whispered again. This time quieter. More uncertain. His mind immediately fought back.

Kiara's smile. Kiara's laugh. The way she waited for him every evening. The way she cried when he was hurt. The way she looked at him like he hung the stars. No. That woman couldn't deceive him. She couldn't. Could she? Donato immediately hated himself for even thinking it. His jaw clenched so hard it hurt. He looked at Rose. Then away. Then back at her.

His eyes were bloodshot now. Not from rage. From conflict. Because if Rose was lying He would never forgive her. But if she was telling the truth Then the woman he loved most in the world had hidden something unimaginable from him. And right now That woman was missing. Possibly hurt. Possibly terrified. Possibly waiting for him.

Donato's chest tightened painfully. "No." He shook his head. Almost desperately. "My wife would never betray me." His voice cracked. The first crack anyone had heard tonight. Because for the first time Donato Romano wasn't fighting an enemy. He was fighting doubt. And doubt was far more dangerous.

The silence that followed felt unbearable. No one knew what to say. No one knew what to believe. Rose stood there crying. Aravi looked pale. Elana was holding Enzo's mother's hand tightly. Albert remained frozen beside his brother. Donato stared at the floor. Trying to hold himself together. Trying to believe that everything Rose had said was a lie.

That Kiara wasn't hiding something. That his wife hadn't been taken from him long before she had been kidnapped. Then suddenly He turned. And walked toward the door. Fast. Too fast. "Donato." Albert immediately followed him. The rest of the family watched in alarm as both brothers left the mansion. The moment they stepped outside, Donato headed straight toward his car. His movements were sharp. Violent. Fueled by fear.

Albert caught up with him. "We're going to Lucas." It wasn't a question. Donato didn't answer. But the look in his eyes was enough. Albert understood immediately. Both brothers were ready for war. Ready to burn Lucas's entire empire to the ground if that was what it took to bring Kiara and Enzo back. Albert was about to get into the passenger seat when suddenly---

Donato's phone vibrated. Both men froze. The screen lit up. Unknown number. A message. Donato's stomach dropped. Slowly, he opened it. There was a video attached. His hands began to shake. A terrible feeling settled in his chest. "No."He whispered. Then he pressed play. The video started.

And Donato's world stopped. Enzo. Tied to a metal chair. Blood covered his face. His shirt was torn. Bruises covered every visible inch of skin. One eye was swollen nearly shut. His head hung forward. Barely conscious. Barely breathing. For a moment Donato couldn't hear anything. The world went silent.

All he could see was Enzo. His brother. His best friend. The boy he had grown up with. The boy he had promised to protect when they were children. The boy who had stood beside him through every war. Every loss. Every victory. And now he was sitting there Broken. Helpless. Being used against him. Donato's breathing became uneven.

His fingers clenched around the phone so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Then he noticed the text beneath the video. A single message.

"If you want your brother alive."Come alone." The address followed. Then another line. "Not a single man with you, Donato Romano." "No smartness." "Otherwise I will kill Enzo."

Donato felt his chest tighten painfully. No. No. No. Anything but Enzo. His hands were visibly shaking now. Albert immediately noticed. "Donato?" No response. "Donato, what happened?" Slowly Donato turned the phone toward him. Albert watched the video. And instantly went pale. "Fuck."

The curse escaped him before he could stop it. His jaw clenched. His eyes filled with rage. "We're going." He immediately reached for his gun. But Donato grabbed his wrist. Albert frowned. "What are you doing?" Donato looked at him. And Albert didn't like what he saw. Because there was already a decision in his eyes. A decision that couldn't be changed. "I'm going alone."

Albert stared at him. For a second he thought he had heard wrong. "What?"

"I'm going alone." His voice was calm. Too calm. Albert immediately shook his head. "No." Absolutely not. We don't know what they have planned. We don't know how many men are there. You're not going alone." Donato looked away. Toward the dark road beyond the mansion gates.

Toward whatever nightmare was waiting for him there. "I have to."

"No." Albert stepped in front of him. "Don't be stupid."

"They have Enzo. "They probably have Kiara too."

"That's exactly why you shouldn't go alone."

Donato's jaw tightened. "And if I don't?" His voice was barely above a whisper. "What if they kill him,?" The question silenced him. "What if they kill Enzo because I didn't listen?" Albert had no answer. Because they both knew. Enzo would do the same thing for either of them. Without hesitation. Without fear. Donato took a deep breath. Then looked directly at Albert. "I know what I'm doing."

"No, you don't."

"I do." His voice hardened. The Mafia boss had returned. Cold. Controlled. Terrifying. "You need to stay here." Albert immediately shook his head. "I'm coming."

"No."

"Donato---"

"No." The single word stopped him. Donato pulled out his phone. And immediately called his men. His voice was emotionless. Professional. Deadly. "No one follows me." A pause. "No one." Another pause. "If any of you disobey my order, you're finished." He ended the call. Then looked back at Albert. "Protect the family."

Albert stared at him. Unable to accept this. Unable to stop it. Unable to save him. Just like Donato couldn't save Enzo. For several seconds neither brother spoke. Then Albert stepped forward. And pulled Donato into a rough embrace. the kind men only shared when words weren't enough. "Bring them home."

His voice cracked. Donato closed his eyes briefly. Then nodded. "I will." He pulled away. Opened the driver's door. And got inside. Alone. The engine roared to life. Albert stood there watching. Helpless. As Donato Romano drove into the darkness. To save the brother fate had given him through friendship instead of blood. Not knowing what waited for him at the end of that road.

____

Donato arrived at the location exactly as instructed. The abandoned warehouse stood alone in the darkness. Broken windows. Rust-covered walls. Dead silence surrounding the entire property. It looked like one of Lucas's old abandoned places. The kind used for things nobody was supposed to see. Donato parked his car. Stepped out.

And immediately scanned the area. His hand twitched near his weapon. Every instinct screamed that this was a trap. But he had come anyway. Because Kiara was here. Because Enzo was here. And there wasn't a force on earth that could have kept him away. Slowly, he started walking toward the warehouse entrance. Every muscle in his body tense. Every sense alert.

Then---A familiar voice echoed through the darkness. "Right on time, Donato." The voice made his blood boil instantly. Lucas. Donato stopped. Turned. And saw him. Standing a few meters away. A smug smile stretched across Lucas's face. The kind of smile that made people want to kill him. But Lucas wasn't what shocked Donato. No. It was who was standing beside him. Kiara. Donato's breath hitched.

His entire body froze. Kiara stood there with tears streaming down her face. A gun pressed against her head. Her hands were tied. Her face pale. Terrified. Broken. The sight punched the air from his lungs. For a second, everything else disappeared. The warehouse. Lucas. The danger. Everything. All he could see was her. His wife. The woman he loved "Ro."

The whisper escaped Kiara's lips. Her voice trembling. The sound nearly shattered him. Then everything came rushing back. Rose's words. The accusations. The stalker. The lies. The doubt. Donato violently pushed every thought away. Not now. Not here. His focus remained on Kiara. Only Kiara. His eyes darkened. He looked directly at Lucas.

"Fucking coward." His voice came out low. Dangerous. "Whatever problem you have with me."He took a step forward.come fight me." Another step. "What the fuck did my wife do?" His jaw clenched. "Let her go."

Lucas laughed. Actually laughed. As if Donato had just told a joke. The sound echoed through the empty yard. Then Lucas slowly shook his head. "You're wrong, Donato." The smirk never left his face. "Today you're not my target." His eyes slid toward Kiara. "Today." He smiled wider. "your wife is." Kiara immediately squeezed her eyes shut. A fresh tear rolled down her cheek.

Lucas tilted his head. "upps." A fake look of realization crossed his face. "My mistake." He chuckled. "I should call her by her proper title." Then he looked directly into Donato's eyes. "Your stalker." The world seemed to stop. Donato's eyes widened. His heart dropped. For a second he genuinely thought he had heard wrong.

But Lucas was still smiling. Still watching him. Waiting for his reaction. Waiting for the destruction. Donato slowly turned his head. And looked at Kiara. He wasn't expecting fear. He wasn't expecting panic. He wasn't expecting guilt. But that was exactly what he saw. Kiara looked horrified. Not because Lucas had a gun pointed at her.

Not because she had been kidnapped. No. She looked horrified because of what Lucas had just revealed. Her eyes were wide. Too wide. The expression on her face wasn't confusion. It was shock. The kind of shock that came when a secret was exposed. A secret never meant to be discovered. Donato felt a chill crawl down his spine.

Kiara's lips trembled. She couldn't even look at him properly. And suddenly Fear settled inside him. Not fear for himself. Not fear of Lucas. Fear of the truth. "No"The thought appeared before he could stop it. No. Don't. Please don't. His eyes remained locked on Kiara. Searching. Begging. Looking for something. Anything. Something that would tell him Rose was wrong. That Lucas was lying. That all of this was another game. Another manipulation.

But Kiara couldn't meet his gaze. And that terrified him more than Lucas ever could. Because Donato Romano knew his wife. He knew every smile. Every look. And the look in her eyes right now Was making his heart sink. Lucas noticed everything. Every second of it. And his smile grew even wider. Because he knew exactly what was happening.

The doubt had entered. The one thing powerful enough to destroy even the strongest man. Lucas slowly stepped closer to Kiara. The gun still pressed against her head. "Tell me, Donato." His voice dripped with amusement. "Doesn't it feel wonderful?" Donato's eyes snapped toward him. Murder flashed inside them. Lucas didn't care. "I spent years trying to destroy you." He laughed softly. "But all this time."

His gaze shifted toward Kiara ".the person who deceived you most was standing beside you."

"Shut up." Donato's voice came out deadly. Lucas ignored him. "Years." He smirked. "Your precious wife watching you." "Following you." "Removing every woman who came near you. Building her perfect future. And you never noticed."

"SHUT UP." The sound echoed through the entire property. Kiara flinched violently. Lucas smiled. Because the damage was already done. first time in his life Donato Romano wasn't looking at an enemy. He was looking at the woman he loved. And wondering if he truly knew her at all. his eyes never left Kiara. Not for a second. The gun against her head. The tears running down her face. The fear in her eyes. None of it mattered right now.

Because one question was destroying everything inside him. One truth. One answer. His jaw tightened. Every muscle in his body was rigid. Then he spoke. Coldly. Dangerously. In a voice Kiara had never heard directed at her before. "I will ask you one thing, Kiara Romano." The use of her full name made her flinch. His voice held no warmth. No concern. Nothing. Just ice.

"And you will answer me with yes or no." Kiara's breath hitched. More tears rolled down her cheeks. "Ro." Her voice broke. But Donato didn't react. Didn't move. Didn't soften. His eyes remained fixed on her. Waiting. Demanding. "What he's saying." His voice lowered. ".is it true?"

Kiara felt her heart stop. The entire world blurred around her. Lucas. The gun. Everything disappeared. All she could see was Donato. Looking at her like a stranger. Looking at her as if she had become someone he had never met before. "R-Ro Please." Her voice trembled. "Please listen to me." She took a step forward instinctively.

The gun pressed harder against her head. She didn't even notice. "Please let me explain."

"Yes." Donato cut her off. "Or no." His voice became harsher. Sharper.

"Ro-"

"YES OR NO, KIARA." His roar echoed through the abandoned yard. Kiara flinched violently. Fresh tears spilled from her eyes. She had seen Donato angry. Seen him furious. murderous. But never like this. Never at her. Slowly. Her head lowered. Her entire body trembling. And then She whispered. A single word. So quietly that anyone else would have missed it. But Donato heard.

"Yes."

Everything stopped. Donato stared at her. For a second. Then another. Then another. As if his mind couldn't process what he had heard. As if reality itself had shattered. Because he had expected her to deny it. To scream. To cry. To tell him Lucas was lying. To tell him Rose was lying. To tell him everyone was wrong. Instead She said yes. And something inside him broke.

The pain was physical. His chest felt like it had been ripped open. His breathing became uneven. His hands clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. No. No. No. This couldn't be happening. His eyes remained locked on Kiara. But now he wasn't seeing the woman standing in front of him. He was seeing memories. Hundreds of them. Thousands. The first time she smiled at him. The first time she held his hand.

The first time she cried in his arms. The first time she told him she loved him. All of it. Every moment. Every memory. Every promise. Now poisoned. Because suddenly every conversation made sense. Every coincidence. Every strange incident. Every time his stalker somehow stayed one step ahead. Every time. And Kiara had known.

She had known all along. The thought nearly destroyed him. All those nights. All those days. When he sat beside her and talked about the stalker. Talked about finding them. Talked about his frustration. His anger. His obsession with uncovering the truth. And she listened. She listened and never said a word.

Never. A hollow laugh almost escaped him. Not because it was funny. Because it hurt too much. His eyes became red. Bloodshot. His jaw clenched so hard it hurt. He looked at Kiara. But for the first time since meeting her It felt like he didn't know who she was. Who was this woman? Who?

Because the Kiara he loved would never do this. Would never lie to him. Would never deceive him. Would never watch him suffer. Yet here she was. Standing in front of him. The truth sitting between them like a loaded gun. And suddenly Donato realized something. The person he had been searching for. The person he had feared. The person he had wanted to find. The person he had wanted to protect his wife from---

Was his wife. The irony was so cruel it made him sick. His stalker. The one person who had successfully deceived Donato Romano. Was none other than Kiara Romano. His wife. His heart shattered. Completely. Kiara saw it happen. Saw the exact moment something died inside him. And it terrified her more than the gun against her head. "Ro." She cried harder. "Please."

But Donato didn't answer. Didn't even look at her. Because if he looked at her any longer He might break. instead He slowly turned toward Lucas. His face expressionless. Terrifyingly expressionless. Lucas immediately noticed. And smiled. Because this was what he wanted. The destruction. The doubt. The pain.

But Donato wasn't looking at him as an enemy anymore. Not right now. Right now he only cared about one thing. One person. his brother. His voice came out rough. Broken. Yet somehow still deadly. "Where is Enzo?"

Lucas's smile widened. Because now The real game was about to begin. Lucas smiled. "Oh, your best friend is inside." He casually pointed toward the warehouse behind him. "I'll let him leave." Donato's eyes narrowed. A small spark of hope appeared inside him. But it vanished the next second.

"On one condition." The smile on Lucas's face grew wider.

"What condition?" Donato asked coldly.

Lucas looked directly at Kiara. Then back at Donato. "Shoot your wife." The world froze. Even the wind seemed to stop. Lucas tilted his head mockingly. "Oops." A fake look of realization crossed his face. "I mean your stalker." Donato's entire body went rigid. Beside Lucas, Kiara's face went pale. Neither of them spoke. Neither of them breathed.

Lucas casually lifted a small remote control. A red button sat in the center. "If you shoot her, you take your best friend and leave." His smile turned cruel. "If you don't." He raised the remote. "I press this button." His eyes gleamed. "And boom." Donato's blood ran cold. "Enzo is gone."

"No." The word escaped Donato instantly. His voice rough. "You can't do that."

Lucas laughed. "Oh, I can." The remote spun between his fingers. "Believe me." i don't have anything against your freind he invited himself here. to save your wife. and now he is here. so he have to pay for your wife sin, either you shoot your wife or i will press the button. either way you have to loose one parson. if he didnt come here i was had a another plan. but he come because of your wife. so you have to choose."

Donato stared at it. His mind refusing to process what was happening. How was he supposed to choose? Enzo. Or Kiara. His brother. Or his wife. how can he choose one person both are his life. kiara lie is another thing he will handle that on his own way, yes she did wrong but that dosn't mean he will kill her for that.

Lucas snapped his fingers. One of his men stepped forward and handed Donato a gun. Donato looked down at it. His hand trembled. The metal felt heavier than anything he had ever held. He had killed countless enemies. Pulled triggers without hesitation when necessary. But this This was impossible.

He couldn't do it. No matter what he had learned tonight. No matter what Kiara had hidden. No matter what truths had shattered between them. She was still his wife. Still the woman he loved. Still the woman who had shared his bed. His dreams. His life. His future. He couldn't kill her. He simply couldn't.

"If you hadn't done all of this, we wouldn't be here today, Kiara. We would have been celebrating our anniversary. I was going to tell you how much I love you. But look at where you've brought us now. i have to make a choice." He stared at her, his heart breaking with every second. "If anything happens to Enzo today because of you, I will never forgive you." The thought echoed painfully in his mind as he looked at Kiara.

Tears streamed down Kiara's face. She watched him. Watched the way his hands shook. Watched the way his entire world was collapsing. And something inside her broke. No. She couldn't let Enzo die. She couldn't let Donato lose another person he loved. She had already caused enough damage. Enough pain. Enough destruction.

Slowly she lifted her head. And looked at him. Really looked at him. Memorizing him. As if this would be the last time. Then she whispered. "Shoot me, Ro." Donato froze. The gun nearly slipped from his hand. "What?" His voice cracked.

"Shoot me." Kiara cried harder. "Otherwise he'll kill Enzo."

"Stop."

"SHOOT ME." The scream tore from her throat. Lucas watched with amusement. Enjoying every second. Donato looked like he had been stabbed. His breathing uneven. His vision blurred. Kiara took a shaky breath. Then said the words she had spent years hiding. The words she never wanted him to hear like this.

"I'M YOUR STALKER" Her voice echoed through the empty yard. Lucas smiled. Donato's heart shattered all over again. Kiara continued. Tears pouring endlessly. "EVERYTHING HR SAID IS TRUE." "Kiara-" "I KILLED YOUR EX" Donato's entire body shook.

"I threatened every woman who came near you." His grip tightened around the gun. "I planned everything." Each confession felt like another knife. Another wound. Another piece of his soul being ripped apart. But Kiara didn't stop. Because she could see it. The countdown in Lucas's eyes. The impatience. The danger. Enzo was running out of time.

"Please." Her voice broke completely. "Save him he is here because of me." Donato stared at her. Unable to move. Unable to think. Unable to breathe. His wife. His love. His greatest betrayal. His greatest weakness. Standing there. Begging him to kill her.

"DO IT." Lucas shouted. The remote lifted slightly. "Choose, Donato." Kiara closed her eyes. A single tear slid down her cheek. "Please save Enzo." The words were barely a whisper.

Lucas stepped closer. "Five seconds." Donato's hand trembled violently.

"Four."

"No..."

"Three."

The gun rose. Donato couldn't even feel himself moving.

"Two."

Kiara looked at him one last time. There was no fear in her eyes now. Only sadness. And love. So much love. The kind that hurt to look at. I LOVE YOU RO. she shouted.

"One."

The pressure. The screaming in his head. The fear for Enzo. The truth. The betrayal. The gun. The countdown. Everything exploded at once. And in that unbearable moment Donato pulled the trigger.

Bang

The gunshot echoed through the night.

____

Thoughts 💬🫡