LOGINZayden’s POVI pulled into the villa driveway and killed the engine.The ride back had been silent. Tomás had asked a few questions — "What happened back there?" "Is she coming home?" "Do you want me to stay?" — but I had answered with nothing but grunts until he got the message. I dropped him off at his home and drove the rest of the way alone.When I got home — I slammed the car door harder than necessary. The sound echoed through the courtyard.I made my way into the villa, my face carved from stone.The staff scattered as I stormed through the halls. Maids pressed themselves against walls. Guards straightened their postures. No one spoke. No one even breathed too loudly.Giulia was the only one brave enough to approach.She stepped out from the kitchen doorway, her brow furrowed, her hands clasped in front of her, holding a paper towel."Zayden," she said carefully. "Where is Bella?"I didn't stop walking. "She's on her way.""On her way?" Giulia hurried to keep up. "What do you m
Bella’s POVRafael led me into the living room.The house felt the same. The same scent of lavender and old wood that had followed me since childhood. But something felt different like I had outgrown it without noticing."Isabella?" My father's voice came from the staircase.I looked up.He stood there, frozen, his hand gripping the bannister. His face was pale. His eyes were wide."Dad," I said softly.He crossed the room in quick strides and pulled me into his arms. I stiffened at first — I hadn't forgotten the numerous slaps, the wedding, the way he sold me off like cargo. But his arms were warm, and his shoulders were shaking, and something in me softened."What are you doing here?" he asked, pulling back to look at me. "Where is Zayden? Did you run away? What's going on?"I stepped back. "No. I didn't run away. Zayden knows I'm here." The lie came easily. "He said it was fine for me to visit for the night."My father's eyes narrowed. "He just... let you leave?""He knew I was fee
Bella’s POVZayden’s brows furrowed as his eyes swept over me.“I asked you a question. Where have you been?”My heart was beating fast but then I paused. Why should I be afraid of this man? He was the one who left me.“And why do you care?” I folded my arms. “It’s bold of you to ask me that when you’re the one who left me first.”“I didn’t leave you Bella— I’ve been looking all over for you.” He replied.“Yeah, right.” I brushed past him. “Get out of my way.”“Where are you going?” He chased after me.I stepped out into the cold night. “I don’t know. Anywhere you’re not.”“This is ridiculous, Bella stop it.”He pulled me back. But I yanked my hand free from him. “Don’t touch me, okay?” I snapped. “I don’t want you touching me Zayden.”“What is wrong with you?” He asked, voice rising now. “I’m trying to talk and you're behaving like a fucking child.”“Because that is what I am,” I replied. “Until you came along and yanked me away from my family and now you’re dragging me to galas tha
Bella’s POV"Moretti?" I stared at him, the name catching in my throat.He smiled. "Yes. Does the name ring a bell?""No, it's not that." I shook my head quickly. "I've just... never met another Moretti before.""Really?" He tilted his head. "Who was the first?"I opened my mouth to answer — then stopped.This was a Moretti function. Mentioning Matteo, the man my husband killed, in front of a stranger who shared his last name? Not wise."No one," I said. "It's no one."He studied me for a second, then nodded as if he didn’t believe a word of it.“Well,” he said, glancing toward the door behind me, “based on what is happening in that room, I don’t think the people inside would appreciate being interrupted.”My eyes drifted toward the door.The muffled sounds coming from inside were enough to make my cheeks warm.“Probably not,” I admitted.He chuckled. "At parties like this, forget you came with a date. There are plenty of people to fill that void."I noticed his tone. Flirty. Too flir
Bella’s POVI watched her take him away.The red dress. The way she touched his arm. The way he smiled — not his usual arrogant smirk, but something real. Something that made my chest tighten.I told myself I didn't care.But I kept watching.She led him toward the bar, her red hair swinging, her laugh carrying across the room. Zayden followed like he had forgotten I existed.I hated that I noticed. And then after a while she took him by the hand and led him through a narrow corridor until they got to the door at the end and walked in.I turned away. Looked around. Nico and Tomás were gone too. Vanished into the crowd like smoke.Now I was standing alone at a gala full of strangers.Perfect.The gala was awful.I tried to enjoy myself. I got a drink — something bubbly and expensive. I walked around, pretending to look at the artwork. I smiled at people who passed, but no one smiled back.Then the whispers started."That's Alejandro Mendoza's daughter.""The one Romano married?""After
Zayden’s POVI stood in the foyer with Nico and Tomás, waiting.The clock on the wall ticked slowly. I checked my watch for the third time in five minutes."Would you relax?" Tomás leaned against the bannister. "She's coming.""You don't know that.""She's your wife. And I’m not sure you gave her a choice!” He scoffed.I didn't answer.Footsteps echoed from the staircase and I looked up.Bella descended slowly, one hand on the railing, her black dress flowing behind her. The fabric hugged her curves before falling to the floor. Her hair was tied up in a sleek back ponytail. Her lips were red.Tomás whistled. "She’s hot."Nico elbowed him. "Watch it."I said nothing. But my jaw tightened.She was supposed to wear red. I know she did that to piss me off.Bella reached the bottom of the stairs and walked toward me. Her eyes met mine, calm and steady."I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," she said.I stepped closer. "No. You look stunning."I placed my hand on her waist and leaned
Bella’s POVZayden Romano.The name looped in my head like a broken record while the city blurred past the cab window.It had to be a coincidence.Romano is common. Half of Italy probably has cousins named Romano.But Mendoza? He said Mendoza. My last name.My blood turned cold. My stomach lurched.
Bella’s POVThe silence in the car was thick, but not uncomfortable. Just… heavy.I stared out the window at the dark canal lights streaking past, pretending the city was more interesting than the man driving.He didn’t push me to talk. Just let the quiet stretch.In an hour, we pulled up to a slee
Bella’s POVThat night, I stood outside my father’s office with my hand lifted, knuckles hovering inches from the door.My pulse wouldn’t slow.Everything in me screamed that what I was about to do was dangerous—but danger didn’t scare me anymore. Not after Zayden Romano. Not after the slap. Not a
The cold night air burned my lungs as I dragged from the cigarette.I didn’t even smoke….I never had.But tonight, I needed something to burn, something to choke down the chaos clawing up my throat.I stood near the side of the courtyard, hidden between tall hedges, the glowing tip of the cigarette







