Master of Death

ISABELLA POV 

"If sin had a smell, it would be his cologne on my hands."

The scent still lingered even after hours of cooking. It sat in the air, mixing with the soft aroma of garlic and tomatoes. I stared at the table where I had set two plates, two glasses and a bottle of red wine. It looked too intimate for a brother and sister. But that's what we were supposed to be, right? Stepsiblings? 

I looked down at my stomach and rubbed it, i can't wait to tell him about our new secret. Maybe then he would stop hiding me. If I told him, maybe he'd love me and accept me without shame.

The house was filled with silence, the De Luca mansion always felt that way when the Don wasn't home. It looked empty even though it was full of expensive furniture and big rooms. The only sound was the soft ticking of the clock and my heart counting down the seconds until he arrived.

I checked the roast one last time, then fixed my hair. I wanted to look perfect for him, even if I shouldn't. I had told myself a thousand times that what we shared was wrong. But every time he looked at me, my heart forgot every rule.

I heard echoes of footsteps down the hall and the door creaked open. Lorenzo walked in wearing his usual black shirt, sleeves rolled up, his tie loosened. He looked tired, and beautiful in the way only he could.

He stopped when he saw the table, his brows pulled together and his dark eyes staring at me.

"You cooked?"

I smiled, trying to sound light. "You barely eat anything when you're working, I thought you'd be hungry."

He didn't sit. "You don't need to do this. What are the maids for?"

"I wanted to." I walked toward him and took his jacket. "Just sit, just this once."

He hesitated, Lorenzo didn't listen to anyone. Why would he? When he owned an entire drug business that no one could run except him. I served him, pretending not to notice the tension sitting between us. He didn't touch his food at first. He only stared at the wine, then at me.

"I'm not hungry," he said.

I forced a laugh. "Since when does a De Luca refuse a home cooked meal?"

He sighed but picked up his fork, stabbing the pasta without looking up. Watching him eat made me smile in a sad way, I wanted this moment to last. 

When he set down his fork, I gathered courage to open my mouth. My hands trembled slightly.

"Lorenzo... there's something I need to tell you."

He leaned back. "What now?"

"I'm pregnant."

His eyes widened, I could feel the increase in the tension even without him talking. For a second, I thought I saw something human in his eyes, shock, maybe fear but it vanished immediately.

"What did you say?"

"I'm carrying your child," I whispered. "You said you'd protect me, that we'd figure this out together. I thought..."

He pushed his chair back, standing up immediately. "Isabella, stop."

I stood too, reaching for him. "Please, just listen. I'm tired of hiding, matteo deserves to know his real father. This new blessing also deserves to know. We can tell everyone. I'll take the blame if you want, but I can't keep living like your dirty secret."

His jaw tightened. "You don't know what you're saying."

"I do!" I grabbed his arm. "I love you, Lorenzo. I don't care what they think anymore, I want our son to know where he comes from."

"Enough!" His voice echoed through the room. My heart stung, but I didn't stop.

"You think this will stay buried forever? People already talk. They wonder why you keep me here, why you never let anyone near me. Let them know the truth, Lorenzo, let me love you in the open."

He stared at me for a long time, his dark eyes softened just a little. Then he nodded slowly.

"Fine. You want the truth out? Come with me."

My face brightened up with a smile. "Really?"

"Yes," he said quietly. "We'll tell them."

He took my hand. His palm was cold but firm. I followed him through the hall, past the dining room, down the long corridor that led to the back of the mansion. The night air grew cooler as we walked outside, the sight was beautiful with stars scattered across the sky. The wind carried the faint sound of waves crashing below the cliff.

"This is where we'll do it?" I asked, shivering slightly.

He didn't answer, his grip on my hand tightened.

I smiled nervously. "You're scaring me."

He stopped near the edge of the cliff, looking down into the dark sea. The wind blew his perfectly slicked back hair.

"Lorenzo?" I said softly.

He turned to me and his gaze met mine. "You really think I can tell them?"

"You can," I added. "You're strong enough, i’ll stand beside you. We'll face them together."

He shook his head. "You don't understand. If they find out... everything falls apart, the family, the business. Even Matteo's life."

"Nothing will fall apart, who was the right to question you. You're just doing this cause you don't want to admit your feelings for me. " I stepped closer, tears rolled down my eyes. "I care about you! About us!"

He cupped my cheek, his thumb brushed my tears away. For a second, I thought he'd kiss me.

"Isabella," he said softly. "You always wanted the truth."

"Yes," I breathed.

"Then here it is." His voice turned flat. "There's no us, there never was."

His words shocked me, but I didn't give up. "You're lying."

He smiled faintly. "You were never supposed to exist in my world."

I shook my head, stepping back. "No, you love me."

He moved forward, each step he took closed the space between us. "Love? You're my greatest mistake."

"Lorenzo, please." The words came out slowly as I felt broken.

He grabbed my shoulders. "You should've kept quiet, Isabella. You're nothing but my step sister."

"Don't do this, think about Matteo. He'll grow up and ask.”

His eyes hardened. "He'll never know."

Before I could move, he pulled me close. His lips brushed my forehead and he planted a soft kiss. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Then his hands pushed me back, the ground disappeared beneath my feet. The wind brushed my ears, my hands reached out into the darkness, grabbing at nothing but air. I fell hard, my head hit a stone and everywhere went dark.