The King's Obsession

Della's POV I pasted on a tired, practiced smile as I welcomed another wave of guests into the high-end concert hall. Today was the wedding reception for the son of one of New York’s wealthiest dynasties, meaning the room was packed with old money and high society. Honestly, this was the biggest hit I’d booked in six months; the rest of my calendar had just been small-time, low-paying ushering gigs. "Della, Matt’s looking for you," Christal, my coworker, whispered, tapping my shoulder as I stepped aside to let a guest pass. "He's behind the stage. Said it’s urgent." I suppressed a heavy sigh. I was already running on fumes, but there was no room for exhaustion in my world—not with the mountain of debt suffocating my family. "Okay, thanks," I murmured, offering a polite nod to an older guest who had been staring at me for entirely too long. Dante Romano. Head of Romano Enterprises. A powerful man, sure, but I couldn't care less about his resume. I walked at a brisk pace toward the

Della’s POV"Oh, my pretty flower," he murmured, leaning down to press a kiss to my cheek.I flinched away, my skin crawling. "You don't get to touch me. Not until we're legally husband and wife. You got what you wanted, so you can leave now. Just tell me when the wedding is, and I'll be there." I didn't even try to hide the utter disgust dripping from my voice."I was just showing some enthusiasm, pretty flower." He turned toward my parents, a condescending purr in his voice. "You raised her well. What a pious, dutiful daughter." He took a long drag from his cigar, blowing the smoke toward the ceiling. "You deserve… a new house. The moment I and my pretty flower tie the knot, I’m gifting you a new place. Quite ironic, isn’t it? Usually, the groom receives the gifts, but here I am, paying out. Oh well." He let out a dry laugh. "Who cares? By the way, my pretty flower," he added, locking his eyes back on me, "the wedding is in a month. I know you don't care for anything lavish, so we'l

Karlo's POVThe gala ended as a resounding success, but that usher had completely vanished. Ever since our little encounter, she was nowhere to be found. My eyes swept the hall every damn minute, searching for a glimpse of her, but came up empty.By the time things wrapped up, it was already nine. I didn't stick around for a single second after the closing remarks. I just took Sophie and headed straight home—back to that massive, hollow mansion that only felt alive when Sophie was back from school.When we walked inside, the silence was heavy. It wasn't the warm quiet of a home, it was the cold, sterile stillness of a place run by maids and guards. Sophie didn't stay with me for long. Damien took her off my hands, which was a relief from her constant, loud chattering which was the last thing I needed tonight.I went straight to my study to get some work done. I sat down and started flipping through files, but before I could even log into my laptop, my mind blurred.That brunette usher

Della's POVDad stepped into place beside me. Around us, the guests stood up, their hands clapping in a coordinated, hollow rhythm, pretending this farce was a joyous occasion. Most, if not all—of the crowd belonged to Lorenzo. The only souls anchoring me to reality were my family and Chris."I'm sorry, Della," Dad muttered, his voice a strained whisper beneath the applause. He kept a stiff, fake smile plastered on his face. "I'm so sorry I had to put you in this situation. I'm sorry I couldn't be the father you needed. You shouldn't have to carry this kind of weight alone." He paused, casting a desperate glance at me. "I'm sorry."The sting of tears hit the back of my eyes, hot and sharp. I blinked rapidly, forcing them back down. No. Not now. I can’t break. If I let myself feel the weakness, I wouldn't survive whatever was coming next."It's fine, Dad," I lied, my voice tight. I nodded slowly, turning my gaze back toward the altar where Lorenzo stood waiting.The white gown I wore f

Della's POVOnly a few minutes passed after Karlo left before I heard heavy footsteps echoing down the hallway. I was standing so close to the door that when the lock suddenly clicked open, I had to stumble backward to avoid getting slammed in the face.A woman stepped inside, and the word expensive didn't even do her justice. Long, dark waves tumbled down her shoulders, framing a face with subtle, flawless makeup. Around her neck sat a diamond necklace—simple, yet stunning enough to catch the light with every movement. She wore a sleek, sleeveless floor-length gown, and her entire aura just screamed raw, untouchable power. I couldn't help but scan her from head to toe, completely caught off guard.Before I could even open my mouth, she closed the distance between us. Her eyes were a striking, piercing gray, framed by long lashes that blinked in slow motion. She was stunning, the kind of flawless, effortless beauty the world puts on a pedestal."So, it's you?" she said, her voice drip