No One’s POV

The pen slid across the page in slow, deliberate strokes. Lines took shape, forming Dante’s silhouette-though now, it looked different.

Hm... The tip scratched against paper, refining the jawline, softening the shadows around his eyes. Dante’s lines changed.

The corner of the sketcher’s mouth curled upward. "The tangle around him... cut off."

Fingers tapped the page thoughtfully. "I made sure he would follow the script. Everything was supposed to go my way."

A faint laugh, low and sharp. "You beat me to it, Viella. I guess I finally have to show up now."

The pen stilled. The next move was decided.

---

Viella’s POV

I just stared at him, my lips parting but no sound escaping.

Wait... you... I... My thoughts scattered like glass hitting the floor. I couldn’t form a single word.

Dante’s eyes flicked over my frozen expression, and something unreadable passed through them. He stepped back just slightly, pressing a hand against his temple.

"Run... before I lose my mind," he muttered, voice rough and strained-as if holding himself back cost him everything.

I didn’t wait to be told twice. My heart leapt into my throat as I bolted past him, out of the office, my footsteps echoing against the polished floor.

The hallway blurred, my only focus on away.

As I rounded the corner, Nonna appeared, her eyes widening the second she saw me. "Viella-!"

But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

I dashed past her without a word, her confused voice fading behind me. My pulse was a drumbeat in my ears, my chest burning with the need to get out.

Somewhere behind me, I swore I could still feel Dante’s gaze-hot, unrelenting, and far from over.

I didnt hear the last line he muttered under his breath but i am sure he said "Obsession from 7 years ago has begin" what exactly happened 7 years ago?

---

By the time I stumbled through my front door, my head was pounding-sharp, relentless, like someone banging on the inside of my skull.

I waved the maids off with a quick, "Don’t bother me," and slammed my bedroom door shut.

Throwing myself onto the bed, I pressed my palms over my face. What the actual hell is happening?

I thought I had it all under control. Every move, every reaction, perfectly aligned so that Dante’s obsession would stay where it was supposed to be-on Alina. Not me. Never me.

But now? He looked at her like she was invisible. And me? Like I was the only thing breathing in his world.

No. No, no, no. This wasn’t part of the plan.

"Dang it," I muttered to the ceiling. "I didn’t sign up for this kind of real-life yandere crap. It was only fun to read about."

And my phone-ugh. The image of Dante tossing it flashed in my mind, and my stomach twisted. That was my lifeline, and now it was gone.

I pushed myself up, every nerve buzzing with adrenaline. I wasn’t staying here another second.

Marching to my closet, I yanked out my travel bag and started throwing clothes inside-no folding, no sorting. Just grab, shove, zip.

Pausing, I crossed to the window and peeled the curtain back just a fraction. My heart sank.

Of course.

One of Dante’s men was leaning casually against a black SUV parked just far enough away to look innocent. Sunglasses, suit, and that air of yeah, I’m watching you.

I exhaled slowly.

If I was going to get out, I’d have to be smart. Quiet. Careful. Because the last thing I wanted was for him to know I was planning to disappear.

I dropped the clothes back onto the bed, my fingers twitching.

No.

Running blind was suicide. I needed a real plan-one that wouldn’t crumble the moment Dante caught my scent.

A place where he couldn’t find me.

A new name.

A fake passport.

Problem was... only someone as powerful as Dante could pull that off.

And there was only one person I knew who came close.

Elias.

But lately... something about him gnawed at me. The way his eyes lingered like he was reading between my words. The way he always knew a little too much. He wasn’t just some smooth-talking business heir-he was close. Too close to the truth.

And then there was what he said today.

That I’d been attacked.

Injured badly.

The thing is... I don’t remember a single damn thing.

Nothing.

Not a scratch, not a bruise-just this gaping hole in my memory.

Even the maids whispered about it behind my back.

So how was I the only one in the dark?

I sank into the chair at my desk, pulling open the drawer where I kept the book. My messy handwriting sprawled across the pages-names, events, red strings in ink connecting them like a spider’s web.

I’d been acting dumb, playing the clueless pawn. But all along, I’d been piecing things together.

In the original plot, Elias was always masked. A shadow. Untouchable.

But here-here he wasn’t hiding.

And the Closet guy..

Same height.

Same accent.

The way he asked me questions... too pointed, too knowing.

It was him.

And if I was right... he didn’t just know the story.

He might have lived it.

Still, there was one person I could trust.

Lily.

My head maid, Viella and Lilly grew up together, the only one in this house who didn’t fear Viella. She’d been on vacation for two weeks-but she was coming back tomorrow.

If anyone knew the truth, it would be her.

Yes... I’d talk to Lily.

And this time, I’d get answers.

---

The next morning, I woke up looking... well, dead.

Not literally-but close enough. Zero sleep, bloodshot eyes, hair in a mess. I’d spent the entire night staring at the ceiling, thinking about Elias, Dante, and the gaping holes in my memory.

I dragged myself out of bed, freshened up, and went downstairs.

Something was off.

The entire staff stood stiff, eyes lowered, like the air had frozen.

Then I saw why.

Nonna sat on the couch.

Next to Dante.

Her face lit up the second she saw me, and before I could blink, she was on her feet, pulling me into a hug.

"Omo, my darling! I was so worried after seeing you like that yesterday." She patted my cheek, all grandmotherly warmth. "Dante told me you two just had a little argument, that’s all."

My eyes flicked to Dante. He was watching me-expression unreadable, but his gaze heavy enough to pin me in place.

I forced a nod toward Nonna.

Awkward smile.

Swallow the truth.

"Ay, these days... kids." She chuckled. "It’s fine to argue between couples. Now, Dante-come here and apologize to your lady."

My brain froze.

Dante? Apologize?

Yeah. Never happening. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Except...

He walked over. Took my hand. Pressed his lips to it.

My pulse jumped-and not in a good way.

Then he leaned in close, his voice low enough for only me to hear.

"I apologize, amore mio, for how I’ve been to you lately. It took me time to realize... you were mine."

I barely had time to process the words before Nonna’s delighted squeal filled the room.

"Omo! This old lady might just die happy-my little lion can be sweet towards a girl too!"

Dante smirked and stepped back, leaving me standing there-hand still tingling, mind spinning, completely dumbfounded.

The next thing I knew, my stomach let out a growl so loud

Perfect. Just perfect.

Nonna gasped dramatically, like I was about to keel over on the spot.

"My poor darling! Come, sit. We’ll feed you before you starve to death!"

Before I could point out, she was hauling me to the dining table, barking orders at the maids.

"Bring food! And not that rabbit food-real food!"

Dante was off to the side, phone in hand, speaking in that low, dangerous voice that made it sound like someone on the other end wasn’t going to live to see lunch. He didn’t even pretend not to be listening in.

I reached for the plate of warm, glorious fried food-my first decent meal in hours-when a sharp voice cut in.

"Milady, step away from the cholesterol."

I froze mid-bite.

No.

It couldn’t be-

I turned.

"Lily!"

There she was, standing in full uniform, not a hair out of place, looking like she’d stepped straight out of a maid café with an attitude problem. My eyes lit up... right until she gave me that look.

"Wow," she said flatly, plucking the food right out of my hand. "I leave you alone for one week, and you’ve turned into a stray cat. Eating whatever, whenever, wherever."

I pouted. "I missed you too?"

She shoved a glass of orange juice at me. "Drink this before you get scurvy or something. Honestly, your diet is a crime scene."

Nonna laughed into her tea. "She’s got spirit. Keep her around, Viella."

"Don’t worry, Nonna," Lily said sweetly, patting my shoulder in that fake-gentle way. "I’m the only reason she hasn’t died of malnutrition... or stupidity."

I choked on the juice. "Excuse me?"

"Swallow. Then we’ll talk." She smiled, but her eyes had that dangerous glint. "In private."

---

Once I was done eating, Dante finally put his phone down and walked over to Nonna.

"You have an appointment," he said softly, like he actually cared.

Nonna stood, but not before giving me one last grandmother-level farewell-two loud kisses on my cheeks and a "Don’t let him bully you, my darling," before she swept out of the house.

I glanced at Dante, fully expecting him to leave too.

He didn’t.

...Why was he still here?

He stepped closer, casting that shadow over me again.

"I’m taking you out for dinner tonight. Be ready."

I narrowed my eyes. "What if I refuse?"

His lips twitched into something dark and amused. "Try it... and you’ll see."

I glared.

"Oh", his voice dropping low, "I love it when you look at me like that."

And with a smirk-an actual smirk-he left the room.

I just sat there blinking.

What the hell? Dante never smiled or smirked Not even in Alina’s time. What’s with him?

"You’re still obsessed with him," a voice said right beside me.

I nearly choked on my juice. "Lily! What the-are you trying to kill me?!"

She arched a brow, sipping my coffee like it was hers. "Oh please. The way you two stare at each other? I could roast marshmallows in the tension."

I pointed at her. "I am not obsessed-"

"Sure," she drawled. "And I’m the Queen of England."

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TO BE CONTINUED