Chapter 3: Secrets in the Shadows
The mansion was quieter at night, but that didn't mean it was safe. Isabella paced her room, mind racing. Every whisper of wind outside, every creak of the floorboards, made her heart jump. She had survived the ceremony, endured the carriage ride, and faced the cold dominance of Luca De Santis—but tonight, the danger felt closer.
A soft knock on her door made her freeze.
"Isabella?" It was Sophia, her sister. She stepped inside, careful not to alert the guards. "We don't have much time."
Isabella frowned. "What is it?"
Sophia's eyes darted to the window. "I've been watching… Luca has enemies. People who want him gone. If anything happens to him, it could drag us all down. You have to be careful. And… you need to understand him."
Isabella bit her lip. Understand him? She barely survived the day without him making her feel like a pawn.
"Understand him?" she echoed, her voice trembling. "I don't think I can…"
Sophia shook her head. "You have no choice. This isn't just about survival. It's about power. And right now, you're at the center of it."
Later that night, Isabella sat by her window, staring at the mansion's sprawling gardens. The moon reflected off the fountain, and she could hear the distant laughter of guards in the courtyard. She felt the weight of her new life pressing down on her chest.
A sudden sound behind her made her spin around.
Luca was standing there, shadowed in the doorway, eyes glinting in the dim light. "You're not supposed to be awake," he said softly, almost teasing.
Isabella straightened. "I could say the same about you," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt.
He took a step closer. "I like that," he murmured. "The fire in you. But fire burns everything if it's not controlled."
She swallowed hard. She hated how her heart raced at his proximity. "I'll survive, no matter what."
Luca's gaze softened, just a fraction, enough to make her question her own feelings. "Good," he said quietly. "You'll need that."
The next morning, a letter arrived. The seal was black, stamped with a symbol Isabella didn't recognize. Luca took it from the butler, his expression unreadable.
Isabella watched him carefully as he opened it. His eyes darkened as he read the words. She caught a glimpse of anger, then a flash of worry.
"This changes everything," he said finally, tossing the letter onto the table.
Isabella's curiosity burned. "What is it?"
"Business," Luca replied tersely. "Enemies are moving. And if I fail…" His voice trailed off.
Isabella's mind raced. She realized then that her life wasn't just about surviving Luca—it was about surviving the world he ruled. And somehow, she knew this was only the beginning.