Chapter 2

Half an hour later, Dario showed up breathless and pulled me into his arms.

"Camila, I'm so sorry. I got caught up with work and it completely slipped my mind."

"Every time I stepped foot in this house after what happened to you, it hurt too much to bear."

That familiar scent hit my nose, and I almost reached out to hold him tight.

"So I moved in with Sofia. She said she'd take care of me in your place."

The moment those words left his mouth, I shoved him off with everything I had.

"Dario. Don't touch me."

He stared at me in disbelief, then dropped his gaze. He took my hand again, his thumb tracing circles on my palm.

"Don't be like that, Camila. You know my heart's always been yours."

"I already set up the law firm for you. We'll make up for those five lost years. Together."

I didn't say no. Dario drove me to the firm's entrance, and I stood there staring at the lavish interior, completely lost in thought.

"Camila, that floor-to-ceiling window, you always wanted one. And the coffee shop on the left, I negotiated that deal for you too."

"I spent five years designing this firm. So the moment you woke up, you'd see it right away."

He held my hand, walking me through every corner of the place, his eyes bright with excitement.

It reminded me of when we first met. The Don of the Vitale family had just died, and Dario had taken over all his uncle's shares to become the new Don.

I drafted every single document for the entire organization back then. And he looked at me that same way. For a long, long time.

"Ms. Rossi," he'd said, "if I asked you out, would you say yes?"

Later, as the Vitale empire grew, I quit my job as a lawyer to support him.

Even though that year, I'd won a case with only a two percent chance of success and made a name for myself in the legal world.

But when he came to me with red-rimmed eyes and a shaky voice, saying, "Camila, I need you. I promise I'll open a firm that's all yours someday," I looked at his exhausted, pale face and resigned without a second thought.

The moment I pushed open the firm's door, Sofia was already there, plastered against Dario.

"Dario, I already had the firm's sign made."

I followed her pointing finger and saw the words: Sofia Vitale Law.

Dario's brows knitted together instantly.

"Sofia, this firm belongs to Camila. What's the meaning of this?"

Sofia flinched at his raised voice, her face crumpling with hurt.

"Dario, but you promised me—"

He cut her off, his voice cold.

"You said you wanted to stay here and atone. That's the only reason I let you. Now that Camila's back, everything goes through her. If you don't like it, you can leave anytime."

Sofia covered her face and ran out. That's when I took a real look around. The whole place was nothing like what I'd imagined.

Sofia's assistant stepped forward and gave Dario a slight bow.

"Don Vitale, Ms. Vitale hasn't slept in three days working on this firm. Everyone's seen what she's done for you all these years. She only put her own name on it to give the firm more recognition. What you did broke her heart."

He shot me a dirty look before chasing after her.

Dario instinctively moved to follow, then stopped himself. He took my hand again, stiff and awkward.

"Camila, Sofia was only trying to help the firm. She's won ten cases in a row. Her name on the door gives us more credibility."

"You're okay with that, right?"

His voice was gentle, but there was no room for negotiation in it.

I'd already made up my mind to leave. This firm had nothing to do with me anymore.

I didn't say a word. Just nodded.

Dario looked surprised, then relieved. A smile spread across his face.

"Get some rest, Camila. I have something to take care of."

And he strode out the door without looking back.

I watched his retreating figure and whispered to myself.

"Dario... are you really not in love with me anymore?"