Chapter 3

That evening, after getting my passport sorted, I returned home to find that I couldn't unlock the villa's main door. My fingerprint had been deleted, and the passcode had changed.

I called Dario and Dante dozens of times, but no one answered. Suddenly, it began to rain heavily. I was soaked to the bone as I huddled by the door, shivering from the cold. I hugged myself tightly, trying to ward off the cold with my body heat. Yet, the chill in my heart refused to dissipate.

It wasn't until daylight that the villa's front door opened slowly.

Dario saw me, and there was a flicker of guilt in his eyes. "Annie was worried about safety, so she changed the passcode. Don't stay out late anymore. It's not safe."

Dante came out as well, exuding the intimidating air of a Don. "Couldn't you have found shelter from the rain? Don't try to use such tactics for sympathy. It won't work."

He then took a towel and dried me off, watching as I took some cold medication. "Take your medicine and get some rest. And be quiet. Be careful not to wake Annie."

I quietly made my way inside, my body sore. I was completely spent.

I stumbled back into my room and collapsed onto the bed.

I drifted off to a hazy sleep, my dreams filled with once-pleasant memories. Yet, those beautiful moments had now turned into the most bitter irony. I didn't know how long had passed when I was suddenly awakened by a blast of loud music.

Anna was clad in a revealing slip dress, her makeup exquisite. She was swirling around her wine glass enthusiastically and had even "thoughtfully" pulled back the covers. "Julia, get up! It's a special day today!"

My head was splitting at the seams, and I felt weak all over. I didn't want to acknowledge her at all.

Anna, however, ignored my indifference and continued, "Today marks the first anniversary of my having met the Battaglias. We need to celebrate!"

Having said that, she sashayed out in her heels, twirling and swaying in the living room.

Not long after, I heard the sudden blaring of an alarm from outside. I sat up, my head pounding, only to see Anna standing by my computer with panic written all over her face.

"Julia, I was trying to find some childhood photos of you guys, but I accidentally spilled water on your computer…"

I felt my heart clench. That computer held five years' worth of experimental data. It was five years of hard work and the very foundation of my dreams in research!

I rushed forward and shoved Anna aside, frantically trying to turn on the computer to salvage the data. But the computer was completely wrecked. Five years of hard work were gone, just like that.

Anna, in the meantime, collapsed to the ground and was crying over a minor scrape.

Dante and Dario rushed over upon hearing the commotion and tenderly helped Anna up. She immediately threw herself into Dante's arms, sobbing. "Dante, I didn't mean to! I didn't know this computer was so important to Julia!"

Dario frowned, his gaze reproachful as he looked at me. "Annie didn't do it on purpose, Julia. Why are you being so harsh?"

I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging deep into my palms, but I felt no pain. That was because the ache in my heart was greater.

Dante patted Anna's back and glared coldly at me. His tone was unmistakably threatening as he chided, "It's just some data. Don't make things difficult for her."

As a Don, a single glance from him was enough to make anyone's blood run cold. This was a look usually reserved for just outsiders. Yet, now…

Dario sighed and added, "Just let it go, Jules. Annie didn't do it on purpose."

A subtle, almost imperceptible annoyance flickered in his gaze. To them, I was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Anna nestled into Dante's embrace, a smug smile on her face.

I looked at them, my heart completely devoid of warmth.

Dario carefully helped Anna up, gently comforting her, "Don't be scared, Annie. We'll go to the hospital."

Dante followed close behind. As he passed by me, he nonchalantly said, "Don't get upset with Annie over a job that barely pays. You're about to become the Donna. Try to be more understanding with Anna."

Once upon a time, Dante was the guy who fought others for me. Now, he was treating me with such indifference—over another woman, no less.

Anna followed Dante out. Before leaving, she glanced back at me, her eyes brimming with smugness and defiance. Her gaze seemed to say, "You've lost."

Fighting back tears, I returned to my room, gathered my documents, and left with my suitcase. I hailed a cab and set off for the airport.

From this day on, we were even. I was never going to see Dante and Dario again.