chapter 3

Bella walked halfway across the street from Lorenzo’s villa, her legs still unsteady beneath her.

The gate loomed behind her, tall iron bars, black and cold. She’d slipped past the maids somehow, heart hammering with every step. The bodyguards straightened as she neared the gate, eyes narrowing. One of them shifted like he might block her path. Instead, they exchanged a glance and let her pass, silent and unreadable.

She kept moving, chin lifted even as her skin crawled.

The dress from last night clung wrong now wrinkled, too tight in some places and too loose in others. She tugged at the hem and adjusted the straps, trying to cover what felt exposed even though she was fully dressed.

Wind cut through the thin fabric. She shivered, arms crossing tightly over her chest.

At the street corner, she stopped and pulled out her phone. The screen lit up with notifications.

One missed call from an unknown number. Probably her father’s PA. Alex Seneca never called himself unless it was to summon or to scold her. She didn’t bother returning it.

Then she saw Stephanie’s name with seven missed calls. Guilt stabbed low in her stomach.

Her thumb lingered over the call button, doubt flickering through her for a second before she forced herself to press it. The line rang once and then Stephanie answered immediately.

“Bella?” Stephanie’s voice burst through, loud and raw. “Bella! Where are you? I’ve been calling like crazy! Are you okay?”

Bella opened her mouth. The words came out thin, hollow. “I… I’m fine.”

There was a pause. Stephanie’s breathing shifted, sharper and worried.

“Fine? You disappeared last night. People were looking for you. I was...God, Bella, I was worried sick.”

Bella stared at the pavement, at the cracks spidering beneath her heels. “I just… I needed to get out.”

Another beat of silence.

“Get out?” Stephanie’s voice softened, fear threading through it. “Bella, please just talk to me. What’s going on?”

Bella’s throat tightened. A tear slipped free, hot against her cheek. “It’s… it’s nothing, Steph.”

“Nothing?” Frustration and fear tangled in Stephanie’s tone. “You don’t just vanish and say nothing. Please. Whatever it is, I can help. Come over to my place. Let me help you.”

Bella swallowed, her voice cracking at the edges. “Okay… I’ll come.”

Relief flooded Stephanie’s reply. “Really? Oh thank God. I’ll be waiting. And please don’t walk anywhere else. Just come here.”

“I will.” Then the call ended.

Bella lowered the phone, her hand trembling. She wiped her face with the back of her wrist, drew in a shaky breath, and started walking again. Toward Stephanie’s. Toward the only place that didn’t feel like a trap right now.

Bella reached Stephanie’s porch on numb legs, the short walk feeling like miles.

She stood there for a second, hand hovering over the doorbell before finally pressing it. The ring echoed inside, and she stepped back, heart thudding harder than it should have.

The sound of quick steps echoed from inside, and then the door was yanked open.

Stephanie exhaled sharply. “Oh my God.”

Her eyes scanned Bella in one fast sweep, face, dress, and the way she was standing like she was checking for blood or bruises. Then she reached out and pulled her inside without another word.

The door closed softly, the lock sliding into place.

Stephanie wrapped her arms around Bella tightly. Bella froze at first, tense, then let herself relax just enough to lean into the hug.

“Don’t ever do that to me again,” Stephanie muttered against her shoulder. “I was this close to filing a missing person report.”

Bella tried to smile. It came out small and forced. “I’m fine.”

Stephanie pulled back but kept her hands on Bella’s shoulders. “You don’t look fine.”

The apartment smelled like vanilla candles and fried plantain. The TV murmured low in the background.

Stephanie double-checked the lock before guiding Bella to the couch.

Bella lowered herself onto the couch, each movement slow and careful, each motion feeling heavier than it should.

Stephanie noticed immediately. “You look uncomfortable. Did you get hurt?”

Bella shook her head quickly. “I’m okay.”

Stephanie sat beside her, close enough to feel the tension radiating off her. “You disappeared from the club, Bella. I tried calling so many times. We thought you got kidnapped.”

Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy.

Bella stood and drifted toward the kitchen counter, her fingers brushing over the cool marble like she needed something solid to anchor her. Stephanie followed.

“Did you go somewhere with someone?”

Bella hesitated at first, refusing to answer.

Stephanie’s eyes narrowed. “Bella.”

“Yes,” she finally said quietly. “Someone from the club.”

Stephanie stepped closer and gently pushed Bella’s hair aside.

She saw the big mark on her neck, a dark and fresh hickie.

Her face paled. “Wait… did this man hurt you?”

Bella let out a brittle laugh. “Yes, he did. But that’s from something else.”

Stephanie guided her back to the couch. Bella sat again, slower this time, wincing slightly.

Stephanie crouched in front of her. “Tell me what happened.”

Bella stared at her hands.

“I was drunk,” she said quietly. “Then a came up to me at the club. We talked for a bit and… I don’t know. I just left with him.”

She swallowed.

But in the morning…” she hesitated. “He was Distant. Like I'd overstayed my welcome or something.”

Stephanie didn’t interrupt.

She let out a breath that didn’t quite steady.“He said he didn’t take me home because he wanted me.” Her jaw tightened. “He only did because I was available.”

She swallowed. “Then he threw money at my face. Like that was what I was worth.”

Stephanie went completely still. “He what?”

Bella nodded, eyes glossy now. “And then he gave me pills. Said he didn’t want me coming back claiming anything was his.”

Stephanie’s expression shifted from shock to fury. “Did you even know what they were?”

“He said contraceptive. Didn’t ask if I wanted them. Just forced them in my mouth like I was stupid.”

The silence that followed felt heavy enough to suffocate the room.

“Where does he live?” Stephanie asked.

Bella looked up, startled. “Steph…”

“Where does he live?” she repeated, already reaching for her phone.

“Stephanie, stop.”

“Don’t,” she said, low and shaking. “He put pills in your mouth and tossed cash at you like you were disposable. And you expect me to do nothing?”

Bella pushed herself to her feet, wincing again. “What are you going to do? March to his penthouse and scream at him?”

“Yes,” Stephanie snapped. “Or worse.”

Bella grabbed her wrist. “It’s Lorenzo De Luca.”

Stephanie stopped moving.Her grip loosened. Her jaw tightened. Something changed in her eyes.

I don’t care who he is,” she said, but the fire behind it flickered.

“You should,” Bella said softly. Their eyes locked.

“Your father runs half the financial boards in this country,” Stephanie said.

“And Lorenzo funds the ones behind them,” Bella replied quietly.

That settled heavily between them.

“You don’t understand,” Bella continued, softer now. “Men like him don’t get ruined. They ruin you instead.”

Stephanie paced once, frustration vibrating through her. “I hate this. I hate that someone like that can do all that and just walk away.”

“So do I,” Bella whispered.

The room fell quiet, not shock this time, but understanding.

Stephanie returned to her, cupping Bella’s face gently, thumbs brushing beneath her eyes.

“I want to destroy him,” she said, voice trembling.

Bella gave a small, broken smile. “I know.”

And I would,” Stephanie added. “For you.”

Bella replied.

“I know that too.”

Stephanie pulled her into another hug, tighter this time.

But Bella murmured against her shoulder, “We’re not touching him. Not like this. Not head-on.”

Stephanie exhaled slowly. “Fine,” she said, even though it clearly cost her. “But if he ever comes near you again...”

“He won’t,” Bella cut in, voice suddenly harder. “I never want anything to do with someone like that again.”

Stephanie pulled back and headed to the kitchen, grabbing paper towels even though tissues were sitting right there on the table.

Bella watched her for a second before speaking quietly. “Can I use your bathroom?”

“Of course,” Stephanie said without hesitation.

Bella walked down the short hallway and closed the bathroom door behind her, locking it gently. She braced both hands against the sink and leaned her weight into it, staring at her reflection.

Shame rose first, hot and choking, but anger rushed in right after.

Lorenzo’s cold eyes, the pills forced into her mouth, the money thrown at her like she was nothing, all of it flashed through her mind.

Then her father’s voice followed, cold and disappointed, more upset that she’d disrupted his plans to marry her off than concerned about her at all.

Disgust twisted inside her.

Being his daughter had never felt more like a curse.

Her shoulders shook as she cried quietly, one hand covering her mouth to muffle the sound. She let it out for a moment, just a moment before straightening again.

She wiped beneath her eyes with her thumb, took a steadying breath, and unlocked the door.

Back in the living room, Stephanie was at the counter, aggressively tearing paper towels from the roll.

She glanced up. “You okay?”

Bella nodded once and sat down, tucking her legs beneath her the way they used to when they were younger.

“How’s Angela?” she asked after a second. “She was worried too, wasn’t she?”

Stephanie let out a small breath that almost passed for a laugh. “Not really.”

Bella frowned. “What does that mean?”

“It means she asked where you were. I said I didn’t know. She said ‘Oh.’ Then just started talking about some guy who bought her a drink.”

Bella blinked. “She didn’t even ask if I was okay?”

“No.”

There was no bitterness in Stephanie’s voice. Just honesty.

“Maybe she thought I went home,” Bella tried weakly.

Stephanie leaned back against the counter, arms crossing. “Bella, Angela likes being around you. She doesn’t like being your friend.”

“That’s not fair.”

“It is,” Stephanie said calmly. “She likes the access, the events and the attention. But when you actually disappear? She didn’t even try.”

Bella stared at the floor.

Stephanie’s voice softened. “You have to be careful. Not everyone standing next to you is on your side.”

Silence settled between them.

Bella’s phone started ringing. She glanced down at the screen and felt her stomach tighten. It was her father.

She inhaled slowly before answering.

“Bella.” Alex Seneca’s voice was low, controlled. No shouting, just pressure. “Do you have any idea what you did last night?”

He didn’t ask where she’d been. Didn’t ask if she was okay. Only what she’d done wrong.

She straightened instinctively. “Dad, I..”

“You walked out. In front of everyone.” He cut her.

His tone didn’t rise, but it tightened. “Political figures. Important men. One of them has already called me.”

“I didn’t mean to..” Bella said quickly.

“You embarrassed me,” her father interrupted again.

The disappointment in his voice hit harder than anger. “Do you understand what that means?”

Her voice came out quieter now. “I understand, Father.”

“Where are you right now?” her father asked.

“At Stephanie’s,” Bella replied.

There was a pause on the line. Calculated.

“I will have someone pick you up,” he said at last. “We will discuss this when you return.”

“You don’t have to.” Bella began.

“You will return home,” he cut in smoothly. “Do not argue, Bella.”

There it was, the command beneath the calm tone.

“You are my daughter,” he continued evenly. “When I call, you answer. That is how this works.”

“Yes, Father,” Bella said quietly.

“Good,” he replied. “Someone will be there shortly. Be ready.”

The line went dead.

Bella stared at her phone for a second longer than necessary. Even after being gone all night, all he cared about was reputation.

Her hands trembled just enough for Stephanie to notice.

“That was your father?”

Bella pressed her palm to her forehead and leaned forward. “Yeah.”

“And?”

“He’s embarrassed,” Bella said flatly. “Important men were there. Apparently one of them already called.”

Stephanie’s jaw tightened. “And now?”

“He’s sending someone to pick me up. We’re going to ‘discuss’ it.”

The way she said the word made it clear it wouldn’t be a discussion.

Stephanie stood abruptly. “That’s not normal. He doesn’t get to summon you like that.”

Bella gave a humorless smile. “To him? I’m not a person. I’m leverage.”

Stephanie moved closer. “You are not for sale. He can't continue treating you like you're some alliance contract.”

“I know,” Bella said softly. “But knowing doesn’t change him or anything infact.”

“Then don’t go. Stay here.”

Bella shook her head slowly. “You don’t say no to my father twice. The first time is a warning. The second time…” She didn’t finish.

Stephanie grabbed her hands. “Then I’m coming with you.”

“No.”

“I mean it. I don’t care how powerful he is. You’re not walking into that house alone.”

Bella squeezed her hands gently.

“Steph… please,” she murmured. “You don’t know how he is. He doesn’t stop until he’s broken the person he’s talking to. I can’t let you be there for that.”

Stephanie searched her face. “Are you sure?”

Bella straightened slowly, drawing in a steady breath as something colder settled behind her eyes. “I’ll go,” she said quietly. “I’ll hear whatever he has to say… and then I’ll say my own piece. For once, I’m not just standing there and taking it. Whatever happens after that happens. I’m done being quiet.”

They hugged again, tight and brief.

Stephanie went to make tea mostly because she needed something to do with her hands.

Bella drifted toward the window without really thinking about it, staring outside without actually seeing anything, until she noticed the black car parked across the street with its engine running.

Her stomach dropped when her phone buzzed with a message telling her the Driver is waiting outside.

Of course her father would be able to track her exact location

She turned back, hugged Stephanie one last time, fierce and quick.

Then she squared her shoulders and walked out.

Two men in dark suits stood by the car. No smiles or greeting.

Bella opened the door and slid inside the car, closing it behind her as the engine revved and the vehicle pulled away from the curb.