Chapter 3

I stood frozen at the entrance of the mansion, unable to believe this was now my home. The grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling sparkled like thousands of tiny stars, while the marble floors reflected every light around me. Elegant paintings decorated the walls, and a wide staircase curved gracefully toward the second floor. It felt less like a house and more like a palace. The servants remained bowed until Dante stepped inside, and only then did they straighten their backs. I tightened my grip on my handbag, suddenly feeling out of place. My simple clothes, damp from the rain, looked painfully ordinary against the luxury surrounding me. I had spent my entire life struggling to pay bills, and now I was standing inside the home of the most powerful man in the city.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Moretti," an elderly woman said warmly as she approached us. She looked to be in her late fifties, wearing a neatly pressed black uniform with silver hair tied into a bun. Unlike the others, her smile reached her eyes, making me feel a little less nervous. "I'm Martha, the head housekeeper. If you need anything, you only have to ask." Before I could respond, Dante spoke calmly, "Prepare the east bedroom." Martha blinked in surprise. "The east bedroom, sir?" Dante nodded once. "Until the wedding ceremony is complete." She quickly lowered her head. "Yes, Mr. Moretti." I noticed the brief confusion on her face but chose not to ask questions.

As the servants disappeared to carry out his orders, Dante turned to me. "You're exhausted. Martha will show you your room." I hesitated before speaking. "My brother..." He looked at me for a moment, then reached into his pocket and handed me a phone. "Call him." My eyes widened. I quickly dialed Leo's number. The phone rang only once before he answered. "Aria!" His voice was filled with relief. "Are you okay? They suddenly let me go." Tears immediately filled my eyes. "I'm fine. Are you hurt?" "Just a few bruises. I was so worried about you. What happened?" I glanced at Dante, who stood quietly a few feet away. "I'll explain everything later. Right now, I just need you to promise me you'll stay with Aunt Rosa for a few days." There was a short silence before Leo sighed. "You did something to save me, didn't you?" I forced a smile, even though he couldn't see it. "Don't worry about me. Just stay safe." After ending the call, I let out a long breath. At least one burden had been lifted from my heart.

Martha gently led me upstairs to a spacious bedroom overlooking the gardens. The room was larger than my entire apartment. A king-sized bed stood in the center, covered with soft cream-colored sheets, while fresh flowers decorated a nearby table. One wall was lined with bookshelves, and another opened into an elegant dressing room filled with clothes that still had their tags attached. I stared in disbelief. "These can't be for me." Martha smiled kindly. "Mr. Moretti instructed us to prepare everything before your arrival." I slowly ran my fingers across one of the dresses. It was beautiful—far more expensive than anything I had ever owned. "He planned all of this... before I even accepted?" Martha simply smiled without answering.

After taking a warm shower, I changed into a simple white dress that fit perfectly. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back at me. For the first time in years, I wasn't wearing an old uniform or faded clothes bought on sale. Yet instead of feeling happy, I felt uneasy. Why had Dante chosen me? He was wealthy, powerful, and handsome. Women far more beautiful and accomplished than I would gladly marry him. So why had he insisted on choosing an ordinary waitress? The question refused to leave my mind.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called. Martha entered with a gentle smile. "Mr. Moretti is waiting for you in the dining room." My stomach tightened. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until the aroma of freshly prepared food drifted through the hallway. Taking a deep breath, I followed Martha downstairs. Dante was already seated at the long dining table, dressed in a fresh black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms. Without his suit jacket, he looked slightly less intimidating, though the quiet authority surrounding him remained impossible to ignore. He looked up as I entered, and for a brief second, our eyes met. Something unreadable flashed across his face before he motioned toward the empty chair beside him.

"Sit," he said simply.

I obeyed, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in my chest.

The dining room fell into an awkward silence as servants began placing one dish after another on the table. There was grilled salmon, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, creamy soup, and desserts that looked too beautiful to eat. I had never seen so much food prepared for only two people. My hands rested nervously on my lap, unsure whether I should begin eating first or wait. Dante picked up his fork and looked at me. "Eat." His voice was calm, carrying neither warmth nor coldness. I nodded and quietly reached for the soup. The first spoonful was delicious, but I barely tasted it. My mind was still occupied with countless questions that refused to leave me alone.

"You've been staring at me since you came downstairs," Dante suddenly said without looking up from his plate. Embarrassed, I quickly lowered my eyes. "I'm sorry." A faint smile appeared on his lips. "You don't have to apologize. I know you're trying to figure out why I chose you." I looked at him in surprise. He had read my thoughts so easily that it almost frightened me. Gathering my courage, I finally asked, "Why me?" Dante set down his fork and leaned back in his chair. "Because you're different." I frowned. "Different how?" He studied me quietly before answering. "Most people approach me because they want my money, my power, or my name. You were the first person who looked at me without asking for any of those things." I couldn't help letting out a soft laugh. "That's because I didn't even know you until tonight." His eyes softened ever so slightly. "Exactly."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Instead of the arrogant mafia boss I had imagined, the man sitting across from me seemed unexpectedly patient. There was a quiet loneliness hidden behind his calm expression, though it disappeared almost as quickly as I noticed it. "There are a few rules," he said at last. "First, no one outside this house must know our marriage is a contract. Second, if you're ever in danger, you tell me immediately instead of trying to handle it alone. Third..." He paused, holding my gaze. "Never lie to me." His voice remained gentle, but I could sense the seriousness behind those words. I nodded slowly. "I understand." After a brief hesitation, I asked, "Do you have any enemies?" A small smile touched his lips. "Too many to count." My smile faded. "Then won't I become a target?" "As long as you're with me," he replied confidently, "no one will dare touch you."

Dinner ended more peacefully than I had expected. Martha insisted on serving tea in the sitting room while Dante answered a few business calls. I quietly wandered toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens. Moonlight bathed the flowers in silver, and for the first time since this nightmare began, I felt a strange sense of calm. Maybe it was because Leo was finally safe. Maybe it was because this mansion, despite its size, somehow felt less lonely than my tiny apartment. I wrapped my arms around myself and stared into the distance, wondering what tomorrow would bring. Behind me, I heard steady footsteps approaching.

"You should get some rest," Dante said softly.

I turned to face him.

"Thank you... for saving my brother."

He shook his head.

"I gave you my word."

There was something comforting about the certainty in his voice. Before I realized what I was doing, I smiled. It was only a small smile, but it was genuine. Dante looked at me for a moment, almost as though he wasn't used to seeing someone smile at him without fear. Neither of us spoke. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable. It was peaceful.

Suddenly, a loud explosion shattered the quiet night.

The mansion trembled violently.

Glass crashed to the floor as one of the windows exploded inward. Before I could react, Dante rushed toward me, wrapping one arm around my waist and pulling me to the floor. His body shielded mine as another deafening gunshot echoed outside. My heart pounded wildly against my chest while the room filled with shouts from the guards.

"Boss! We're under attack!"

Dante's expression changed in an instant. The calm man who had shared dinner with me disappeared, replaced by the feared Mafia King everyone spoke about. His gray eyes turned cold and calculating as he helped me to my feet.

"Stay behind me," he ordered.

"I—"

"Don't argue."

Another bullet shattered the remaining glass.

Within seconds, armed guards flooded the room, weapons drawn. One of them hurried toward Dante.

"Sir, they've broken through the front gate."

Dante's jaw tightened.

"Protect my wife."

The guard nodded immediately.

"Yes, Boss."

I stared at Dante in disbelief.

Even in the middle of an attack...

His first concern was my safety.

As he reached the doorway, he paused for only a second before glancing back at me.

"No matter what happens..."

"I'll come back for you."

Then he disappeared into the darkness, leaving me standing in the middle of a mansion that had suddenly become a battlefield.