All Chapters of His Body Craved Mine, His Heart Chose Me: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I didn't cry as I walked out of the auction house, but my chest felt like a gaping black hole.My mind was a loop of Dante's words as I stumbled down the stairs.Just then, a young man in a waiter's uniform rushed past, a tray in his hands. He slammed his shoulder into me."Ah!"I shrieked as I lost my balance and tumbled down the stairs.A dull thud shot through my back, followed by a sharp cramp in my stomach.I lay on the cold ground, my vision blurring. Through the haze, I thought I saw Dante bursting through the doors.On the other side of the room, Ava cried out and sank to the floor, clutching her ankle. "Dante… my ankle… it hurts so much…"I saw Dante's gaze whip between us. He hesitated for only a second before striding toward Ava."Damn it, how could you be so clumsy?" He scooped her up, his voice tight with worry. "I'm taking you to the hospital." He didn't even glance back as he left.Beneath me, a warm pool of liquid was spreading, staining the white marble red."Ma'am! Ma

My phone vibrated. A picture from an unknown number.My blood turned to ice.It was Ava, holding my mother's brooch over the deep, dark sea, looking like she was about to drop it.If you want it, Marina Bay, dock seven. You have one hour. After that, it's gone. —AvaI knew this was a trap, but I didn't care. I had to get my mother's brooch back.When I stepped onto the yacht, Ava was leaning against the railing, a glass of champagne in her hand."You finally made it." She turned, a sickeningly sweet smile on her face. "I was starting to think the great Romano princess was too good to see someone like me.""The brooch. Give it back," I said, cutting to the chase."Not so fast." Ava walked over to a sofa on the deck and sat down, crossing her legs elegantly. "Let's chat. After all, this might be the last time we get to talk alone."She pulled the diamond brooch from her purse, turning it slowly in the sunlight. The flashes of light stung my eyes."It's beautiful," she sighed. "Dante told

I floored it, racing back to the estate.In the garden, a dozen of Dante’s men stood in silence. They held my mother’s things—her photo albums, her hand-embroidered handkerchiefs. And in the center, propped on an easel, was a portrait of my mother. Her final painting. My entire world.A large fire pit sat in the middle of the garden, the air thick with the sickening smell of gasoline.And Dante stood right beside the portrait, a box of matches in his hand."No!" I sprinted toward the garden. "Dante! What are you doing!"Two guards grabbed me, their grips like iron, holding me back."Let me go! Those are my mother's things! You have no right!" I thrashed wildly, my nails digging into their arms.Dante turned slowly. In the moonlight, his face was a mask of cold fury."The security footage showed you pushed her. I gave you a chance to explain," his voice was devoid of any warmth. "But you ignored my calls. Now, you're going to pay the price for hurting Ava."I shook my head, desperate. "

After the performance, the organizers insisted I stay for the dinner. I tried to refuse, but they were persistent.I found a quiet corner, hoping to eat quickly and leave, but I could feel a pair of eyes burning into me.I didn't have to look to know who it was."Dante, you're acting weird tonight."Ava's voice, sharp with annoyance, carried from a nearby table. I glanced over. She had her arm looped possessively through Dante's."It's nothing," Dante replied, his voice flat."Really?" she snapped. "Then why have you been staring at your ex-wife ever since she got on stage? What's so special about her scraping on a damn violin?""Ava, watch your mouth," Dante warned."Did I say something wrong?" Her voice grew shrill. "Don't tell me you still have feelings for her. Dante, don't you forget, she's the one who filed for divorce! She was never worthy of being a Moretti!"I'd heard enough. I stood up to leave.Just then, a man in a black suit hurried to Dante's side and whispered something

(Dante's POV)At 3 a.m., the Chicago skyline was bathed in an unnatural red glow.Dante stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, watching the city he ruled light up with her message. A vein throbbed in his temple."That goddamn woman," he snarled, spinning around and slamming his fist on the heavy oak desk.This was Elara's gift?It was a declaration of war.Elara was, once again, pushing every single one of his buttons, just as she always had—wild, impulsive, and completely out of control.He snatched his phone to call her, to demand an explanation, but was met with a cold, automated voice: "The number you have dialed is no longer in service."Dante stared at the phone.A feeling of losing control, one he hadn't felt in years, crept over him.Just then, his most trusted advisor, Vincent, walked in, his expression strained. "Boss, I tried to have the ads taken down. They said… Madam paid in full for a three-day run. Non-refundable, non-cancellable…"Dante shook his head in w