My Death Turned the Don Into a Lunatic

The freezing harbor wind sliced into my face. I kneeled on the frozen stone slabs of the Vesta family's private dock, watching Carlo Vesta storm ashore while Benedetta Conti lay soaked in his arms.

His black coat was wrapped tightly around her, revealing only the pair of red high heels on her feet.

"Get a doctor! Now!"

Carlo's roar echoed through the night as more than a dozen bodyguards in black suits sprang into motion.

"Carlo, don't blame Margherita. She didn't mean to push me…" Benedetta murmured weakly in his arms, her face pale as paper.

Carlo lowered his head and gazed at Benedetta. For the first time, I saw a tenderness in his eyes that he had never shown me before. "Don't speak. Save your strength."

He carried her toward the nearest car without sparing me a single glance.

I struggled to stand, wincing as my knees scraped raw against the unforgiving stone.

A bodyguard steadied me and handed me a dry towel. "Ms. Rossi…"

"I am fine."

I shrugged off his hand and forced myself to my feet.

Just then, Carlo settled Benedetta into the car and turned toward me.

"Explain yourself," he said with a calm so cold it was terrifying.

"When she fell, I tried to grab her. Carlo, I really—"

"You were standing right where she fell," he said, taking a step closer. "As I turned to pour a drink, I heard the splash. When I looked back, you were there, and she was already in the water."

"I was trying to pull her out!" I almost shouted.

Carlo let out a cold laugh. "Margherita, how many accidents have you caused in the last six months? At the stables, she was thrown from her horse, and she said you startled it. When her brakes failed, she was driving the car you usually take. Last month, she slipped on oil on the stairs, and your maid was responsible. And now, she falls into the water in front of you."

A chill spread through my body. "Do you think I would do all of that?"

"I go by the facts," he said, staring at me. "Benedetta can't swim. You nearly killed her."

"I didn't!" I said.

"That's enough."

He turned away and gestured to the bodyguards behind him. "Take her to Cold Vault 3 and lock it. Don't open it without my order."

My eyes went wide. "Carlo, that's a freezer!"

"The cooling system's broken," he said flatly.

Finally, he looked at me. "You just need to cool down. Once Benedetta's safe, we'll talk."

Two bodyguards grabbed my arms.

"Carlo Vesta!" I screamed. "You'll regret this! You'll regret this!"

He didn't look back. He got into the car with Benedetta and drove off.

The vault was pitch-black, lit only by a single dim emergency light in the distance.

"You're staying here for 24 hours," one of the guards said. "Mr. Vesta says the cooling system's broken. It won't get too cold."

They pushed me in. I staggered into the darkness as the iron door behind me slammed shut with a sharp, echoing click.

I collapsed to the floor.

I didn't care if they locked me in. The cooling system was broken. I wouldn't die of the cold. I could handle 24 hours here.

After he had cooled off and looked into it, he would let me out.

He would, wouldn't he?

I curled up in a relatively clean corner, hugging my knees as I waited to be let out.

I wasn't sure how much time had gone by before I stirred from the daze, trembling uncontrollably.

Something was off.

The air was getting colder.

At first, it was just a chill, but now I could see my breath in the air. I stood and pressed my ear to the door.

A sound came from outside.

It didn't seem human—just a low hum of machinery vibrating through the walls. The cooling system was running.

"Is anyone there?"

I banged on the door. "What's happening? Why is the freezer on?"