Masuk• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Suddenly, at the heart of the known mansion, which had been her home for months, everything felt so unfamiliar to Mili. In the heat of the argument, amidst all the chaos and unexpected situations, she remained unaware of Daniel's whereabouts. Mili knew her husband indulged with Nacho just to give it back to Jovanno but she had no opportunity to question where they were heading to. And, with this sudden sense of something unpleasant, Mili was tense. She gulped a lump of nervousness and turned towards Tulip. Tulip was seated on the sofa in her usual posture... Her one hand on her baby bump and with the other hand she was helping herself with a glass of water but Mili noticed how her fingers were shaking slightly. Mili approached Tulip to help her with it. Tulip looked even more tense, more worried. Tulip was mostly silent when Mili asked if she was feeling unwell or if she was hungry. So, she asked the maids to bring her some warm
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • After some time, the road stretched out into a quiet, endless darkness as the car moved forward at a rapid pace. Daniel sat unmoving in the passenger seat with his gaze fixed ahead, his expression composed in a way that concealed more than it revealed. Daniel let Nacho drive through the way and Nacho drove without speaking. He didn't attempt conversation, nor did he glance too often at the man beside him. Like ... He had already understood enough. Some silences were not meant to be broken, especially not when they belonged to some forthcoming storms. As the car slowed down near a very isolated stretch. No significant details came into Daniel's view as he let Nacho take him to Jovanno's hideout, about which only Nacho was aware. But Daniel didn't question anything! Not because he believed Nacho blindly, but because whatever waited at the end of this road mattered more than the risks in between. The car came to a stop. "We're here," N
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • "You never think about what I say," Daniel said but he didn't shout. He stood utterly still before he crashed the already ruined teddy at his feet again. The action stretched unnecessarily for minutes until Mili felt it was pressing against her chest. Mili could physically sense that it was not going to end well! "You brought this fucking thing into your room!" he said at last. Mili's lips parted as she fought against the guilt rising in her chest, "I didn't even think there was anything to doubt. Also, it didn't mean anything to me." "That's the problem," he snapped, "You don't see danger where it exists," he cut in. He was aware of her naivety... He never for a moment doubted his wife's intentions, but still, it was a hard pill for Daniel Knight to swallow so quickly. One thing he was determined to do... That was to make Jovanno pay the price. Daniel moved towards his nervous wife. "You felt someone watching you," he continue
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Mili stirred at his question. The softness drained from her face first. Her lashes fluttered as she pulled back just enough to look at him... Enough that he could see the fear return to her beautiful eyes. She held the fabric of his shirt. "Jovanno… he said…" Her voice faltered as she spoke, "He said Lucia told him." "Lucia told him?" Daniel quietly repeated. "Yes, in the garden..." Mili's fingers tightened in the fabric of Daniel's shirt like she didn't... She couldn't believe it fully but the fact that Daniel went still and didn't trust it either made her feel a pang of jealousy. "But there's more ..." She whispered. "I'm listening," Daniel spoke calmly. She hesitated. Her lips parted, then closed again. When she finally spoke, the words came in a frightened rush, "He… he said something else. Something terrible," Her fingers trembled where they clutched his shirt. "He said he had seen me. While I was sleeping in my previous be
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CRASH. The sound of the shattering glass exploded through the living room. A heavy flower planter from the patio flew through the floor-to-ceiling window, followed immediately by two dark figures in tactical gear. The guards, who had been stationed at the end of the mansion's perimeter had approached the closed door. One was trying to force the door where the other man broke apart the glass. Miliani was startled. "Get away from her!" a voice roared past the wall. Jovanno's breath hitched sharply. The vile confidence that had twisted his face moments ago vanished, replaced by raw panic. His grip loosened. Mili didn't waste the second. She drove her knee into his torso with everything she had. Jovanno staggered back while cursing and barely kept his balance. Mili scrambled upright. She placed her robe properly with trembling fingers as she rushed toward the door. Her other hand fumbled desperately with the lock. "You bitch..."
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • "Why is no one -" Mili whispered, putting herself up. She tied her robe properly this time and stepped out of the room. The corridor was eerily quiet. Usually, at least one maid lingered around the house at this hour. Today... there was no one. Descending the stairs, she approached the door cautiously and peeked through the glass panel. Her brows knit in mild surprise, "Jovanno…?" She opened the door halfway. Jovanno stood there with an easy smile, hands clasped behind his back like an obedient child. He was dressed neatly and looked familiar as usual. "I hope I'm not intruding," he said quiet softly. "I rang several times." "I... No," Mili replied, confused more than alarmed. "I just… didn't expect anyone," She glanced behind him instinctively. "Is everything okay?" He nodded gently. "Yes. I was just spending some free time in the garden. Lucia mentioned you were alone today." That name tightened something in her chest. Mili
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Miliani woke up with a sudden gasp. Her hand flew to the other side of the bed which was empty and cold. "Daniel…?" she whispered before opening her eyes and then she sat up in a rush. Panic surged through her before sleep could fully leave her eyes.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Eventually, more couples joined the dance floor. Laughter and noises of celebration rushed through the hall even from the people who wanted nothing but Serrano's death and eventually Daniel's downfall. Lorenzo Romano was too proud to be present at this ce
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •The balcony doors stood open, letting the cool Sicilian night air curl into the space. Beyond, the yard was a black sheet with faint glimmers of moonlight scattered like broken glass. Daniel stood there with a cigar between his fingers, awaiting his friend,
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Mili couldn't help but clutch the door of their bedroom as she ran back, driven only by sheer helplessness. She couldn't stand there anymore… not when her eyes were already damp with tears. She muffled her sobs as best as she could, but the moment her f







