Chapter 5 Episode 5

Bella sat in the cold office, the weight of Dante's demands pressing down on her chest like a heavy stone. She stared blankly at the photo of Luca Ricci, trying to imagine herself infiltrating the life of a man like him. The very idea of getting close to him, earning his trust, only to betray him-it twisted her stomach into knots.

She had been dragged into this world unwillingly, but now, she felt like she was suffocating in it. There was no escape. And yet, she couldn't just accept this role Dante was forcing on her. But what could she do? There were no allies here, no one she could turn to. No one to trust.

Her hands shook as she placed the photo back on the desk. She needed time. Time to think, time to plan, time to figure out how to survive this. But time wasn't on her side. Dante had made that clear.

The door creaked open, and Bella's head snapped up. Alessandro walked back into the room, his eyes cold and unreadable. He closed the door behind him and moved to stand beside her, his presence looming.

"You need to understand something, Bella," he said, his voice low and authoritative. "Dante doesn't make idle threats. If he says you're going to do this, then you're going to do it."

Bella clenched her fists, her pulse quickening. "I don't want to be involved in this," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. "I didn't ask for any of this."

Alessandro's expression didn't change. "None of us asked for this life. But we're in it now. And there are only two ways out-alive, or in a coffin."

His bluntness sent a shiver down her spine. She knew he was right. This wasn't a game. It was life or death, and she was being asked to play her part.

"What does Dante really want?" Bella asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Is it just about taking down Luca Ricci?"

Alessandro's gaze flickered with something-something she couldn't quite place. "It's about power," he said quietly. "Control. Luca's a threat to that. And threats have to be eliminated."

Bella felt a chill crawl up her spine. This wasn't just about settling a score. It was about maintaining Dante's iron grip on his empire. And she was being dragged into the heart of that struggle, whether she liked it or not.

"I'm not cut out for this," she said, her voice barely audible. "I'm not like you. I'm not... ruthless."

Alessandro tilted his head slightly, studying her. "You might surprise yourself. People do things they never thought possible when they're backed into a corner."

Bella looked away, the weight of his words sinking in. She was in a corner now, and there was no way out. If she refused to help Dante, what would he do to her? Would he see her as a threat too?

"Does Dante... does he kill people who betray him?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, afraid of the answer.

Alessandro didn't hesitate. "Without a second thought."

Bella's heart plummeted. She knew it in her gut, but hearing it said so plainly made it real. She was trapped between two men, and there was no escape.

"What do I have to do?" she whispered, her voice small and defeated.

Alessandro's eyes softened, just for a moment. "Play the part. Make Luca trust you. And when the time comes, you'll give Dante what he needs to end it."

Bella's breath came in short, shaky bursts as the gravity of her situation crushed down on her. Her mind raced with fear and doubt, but deep inside, a small voice reminded her that she wasn't completely powerless. If she played this right, maybe-just maybe-she could survive.

She stood up, squaring her shoulders. "Fine," she said, her voice stronger than she felt inside. "I'll do it."

Alessandro nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer. "Good. Dante will be pleased."

But Bella wasn't doing this for Dante. She was doing it because she had no other choice. And as much as she hated the man she had married, she hated the idea of being another pawn in someone else's game even more.

Alessandro left the room without another word, leaving Bella alone with her thoughts. She stood there for a long time, staring at the photo of Luca Ricci, her mind swirling with the enormity of what lay ahead.

Whatever happened next, she had to stay alive. That was all that mattered. Survival.

But how?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. It opened, and one of the household staff-a young woman with a nervous smile-entered, carrying a small tray of tea.

"Mr. Moretti thought you might need this, Mrs. Moretti," the girl said softly, placing the tray on the desk.

Bella nodded absently, barely acknowledging the girl's presence. The warm, inviting smell of the tea did nothing to soothe her frayed nerves. She felt numb, as though everything around her was happening in slow motion, and she couldn't fully grasp it.

When the girl had left, Bella sank back into the chair, picking up the cup and sipping it slowly. She needed a plan, something more than just following Dante's orders. She had to find a way to protect herself-without losing her soul in the process.

As she sat there, the murmur of voices echoed faintly from the hallway. Bella strained to hear, her curiosity piqued. She recognized Dante's voice, low and commanding, but there was another-someone she didn't know.

Quietly, she set down the teacup and moved toward the door, pressing her ear against it to listen.

"...I don't trust her," the unfamiliar voice was saying. "She's an outsider. You're taking a big risk."

"She's my wife," Dante's voice was cold, cutting. "I know what I'm doing."

Bella's stomach twisted. They were talking about her.

The other man scoffed. "You're blinded by your own arrogance, Dante. You always think you have control. But that girl? She could be the one who brings everything crashing down."

There was a tense silence before Dante spoke again, his voice darker, more dangerous than Bella had ever heard it.

"If she betrays me, she'll wish she were dead."

Bella's blood turned to ice. Every part of her wanted to pull away from the door, but she was frozen, her breath shallow as she listened.

The other man sighed. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

The sound of footsteps faded down the hall, and Bella's heart pounded in her chest. She backed away from the door, trembling with the realization of just how precarious her situation had become.

Dante didn't trust her. And if she made one wrong move, there would be no mercy.

She had to be careful-more careful than she'd ever been in her life.

Bella closed her eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. This was her life now, and she had to play the part, no matter how much it terrified her.

Because in this world, survival was the only option.