Chapter 8

Aria's POV

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently pulling me from sleep. For the first time in weeks, I had slept peacefully. Maybe it was because of my conversation with Dante the night before. Although he hadn't answered all my questions, somehow talking to him had eased the uncertainty in my heart. I got dressed and made my way downstairs, following the delicious smell of breakfast. The mansion was already alive with activity. Housekeepers moved through the hallways, while the guards outside carried out their morning routine. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they were supposed to do.

As I stepped into the dining room, Dante was already seated at the table, reading a document while sipping his coffee. He looked up when he heard my footsteps. "Good morning, Aria." A small smile appeared on my face. "Good morning." Martha served breakfast before quietly leaving the room, giving us some privacy. For a few minutes, we ate in silence. Surprisingly, it wasn't awkward anymore. I was beginning to get used to his quiet nature.

"You slept better?" Dante asked without looking up from his coffee.

"I did."

"Good."

I smiled.

"You don't talk much in the mornings either?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I've been told I'm not a morning person."

I laughed softly.

"I'll remember that."

A faint smile crossed his face before disappearing just as quickly.

After breakfast, Dante reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and placed a sleek black bank card on the table. He gently pushed it toward me.

"This is for you."

I stared at the card in confusion.

"What is it?"

"My bank card."

I looked at him as if he had just said something impossible.

"I know it's a bank card... but why are you giving it to me?"

"So you can buy whatever you need."

I immediately shook my head.

"I can't accept this."

"Why not?"

"It's your money."

"It will soon be our life."

His calm reply left me speechless.

Seeing that I still hadn't touched the card, he continued.

"Aria, you're about to become my wife. I won't have you worrying about simple things like clothes or daily expenses."

I slowly pushed the card back toward him.

"I appreciate it... I really do. But my grandmother taught me never to depend on someone else's money."

For a brief moment, Dante simply looked at me.

Then, to my surprise, he smiled.

"I expected you to say that."

"You did?"

"You've refused everything I've offered except what was necessary to help your brother."

I lowered my eyes.

"I don't want people thinking I'm with you because of your wealth."

Dante's expression became serious.

"I've never thought that."

Those words warmed my heart more than I expected.

He picked up the card again and stood beside me.

"This isn't charity."

Before I could stop him, he gently took my hand and placed the card in my palm.

"It's my responsibility."

His fingers brushed against mine for only a second before he stepped back.

"You don't have to use it today," he said. "Keep it. If there's ever something you need, I don't want you to hesitate."

I looked down at the black card resting in my hand.

For the first time in my life...

Someone was taking care of me without expecting anything in return.

Just then, Martha entered the dining room.

"Mr. Moretti," she said respectfully. "Mrs. Eleanor Brooks has arrived."

Dante nodded.

"Please show her in."

I looked at him curiously.

"Who's Mrs. Brooks?"

He stood from his chair and buttoned his suit jacket.

"She's the wedding planner."

My eyes widened.

"The wedding planner?"

He nodded.

Before I could gather my thoughts, the dining room doors opened and an elegant woman in her early fifties walked in. She was dressed in a navy-blue suit and carried a leather folder. Her confident smile immediately made me feel that she had done this countless times before. "Good morning, Mr. Moretti," she greeted politely before turning to me. "You must be Miss Aria Bennett." I stood and smiled. "Yes. It's nice to meet you." She shook my hand warmly. "My name is Eleanor Brooks. Mr. Moretti hired me to organize every detail of your wedding." My cheeks grew warm. Hearing someone else mention the wedding made everything feel even more real. Eleanor opened her folder and spread several documents across the table. "The venue has been reserved, the decorations are already being planned, and invitations will be prepared soon. But before anything else, we need to find the perfect wedding dress." My eyes widened. "Today?" She nodded with a smile. "Yes, today."

I instinctively looked at Dante. "I've never even been inside a bridal boutique before." Eleanor smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'll help you through everything." Dante calmly added, "Eleanor is one of the best wedding planners in the country. You don't have to be nervous." I let out a small breath before nodding. "I'll do my best." Eleanor closed the folder and stood. "Then we shouldn't waste any time." As I picked up my handbag, my fingers brushed against the black bank card Dante had given me. I looked at him. "I still don't think I should spend your money." He met my gaze without hesitation. "Aria, I didn't give you that card to make you uncomfortable. I gave it to you because I want you to have everything you need." I smiled shyly. "I'll only use it when it's necessary." A faint smile appeared on his face. "That's exactly why I trust you with it."

A few minutes later, we walked toward the front entrance where a luxury car was already waiting. One of the guards opened the rear door while Eleanor stepped inside first. Just as I was about to follow her, Dante called my name. I turned around and found him standing only a few steps away. Without saying a word, he gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face. His touch lasted only a second, yet it made my heart race. "Don't let anyone pressure you into choosing something you don't like," he said quietly. "Choose the dress that makes you happy." I smiled, trying to hide the blush creeping onto my cheeks. "I will." He gave a slight nod. "Good. I'll see you when you get back." I climbed into the car, and moments later the driver pulled away from the mansion.

As we drove through the city, Eleanor began showing me photographs of different wedding gowns on her tablet. "We'll visit several boutiques today," she explained. "Don't feel rushed. Sometimes the right dress is the one you least expect." I nodded while looking through the beautiful designs. Some were elegant, others were covered in sparkling details, but I couldn't imagine myself wearing any of them. I had never dreamed of expensive weddings or luxurious dresses. All I had ever wanted was a simple life surrounded by people who loved me.

Neither Eleanor nor I noticed the black SUV that quietly merged into traffic behind us. Its windows were dark enough to hide the person sitting inside. A woman lowered her sunglasses and watched our car with a cold smile. "So this is the woman Dante wants to marry." She folded her arms and continued watching the vehicle ahead. "Follow them," she ordered the driver. "Don't let them out of your sight." The driver nodded silently as the SUV continued after us, while I remained completely unaware that someone had already begun planning to destroy the future I had only just begun to hope for.