Chapter 8 Thick fog

The heavy silence from Victoria's revelation still lingered in the air like a thick fog, suffocating and unbearable. Dante had heard enough. His jaw clenched, his fingers curling into tight fists as his sharp gaze burned into Victoria. Without another word, he stormed out of the dining room, his heavy footsteps echoing through the halls.

Elena sat frozen, her chest tightening. Her own family had abandoned her. Any hope she had foolishly clung to shattered at Victoria's words. The fork in her hand trembled slightly before she placed it down with eerie calmness. She didn't react. She couldn't.

Lorenzo smirked at her, watching her closely, his satisfaction evident. His fingers traced the rim of his wine glass as if he had been expecting this very moment. "Well," he mused, taking a slow sip of his drink. "That answers that." He referred to her parents selling her to him. He never wondered why they made that decision seeing she was their last daughter, but nevertheless he was not a man to worry about the situation of others, as long as everything worked in his favour.

Elena swallowed hard, her throat dry, but she said nothing. She simply lowered her gaze to her plate, her appetite completely gone.

Valeria, meanwhile, reached over to squeeze Victoria's hand with an affectionate smile. "You did well, dear." Her voice was low and dripping with warmth, but her eyes held something far colder. "Let's take a walk, shall we? There's much to discuss."

Victoria practically glowed under the praise, nodding eagerly as she rose from the table. "Of course."

Elena forced herself to remain seated as they left, not wanting to give them the satisfaction of seeing her affected. But the moment they were out of sight, she exhaled shakily, gripping the edge of the table.

She needed to be alone.

Without excusing herself, she quietly rose and slipped away from the dining room, her steps leading her toward the indoor pool area-a place she had accidentally stumbled upon earlier. The dim lighting reflected on the still water, the quiet hum of the night surrounding her as she sat on the edge, hugging her knees to her chest.

The weight of everything pressed down on her. The betrayal. The isolation. The suffocating presence of the Russo family.

A soft shuffle of footsteps broke through her thoughts.

"Elena."

She turned slightly to see Alessia approaching, a cautious look on her face.

"You shouldn't be here alone," Alessia said gently, kneeling beside her.

Elena didn't reply.

Instead, she let out a bitter chuckle, shaking her head. "Why does it matter?"

Alessia hesitated before settling down next to her, offering a small, knowing smile. "Because you're not as alone as you think."

The words made Elena's throat tighten, but she refused to let her emotions spill over. Not again. Instead, she turned away, staring at her reflection in the water. "I don't even know what I'm doing here," she admitted softly.

Alessia studied her for a moment before placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You survive," she said simply. "That's what you do."

"I'll keep you company," Alessia offered. "And tomorrow, I'll take you outside the estate. So you won't be bored."

Elena looked at her, searching for deception. But all she saw was sincerity.

For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to believe someone might be on her side

Meanwhile, The atmosphere was heavy with tension as Dante stood before three of his men, his cold stare piercing through them like a blade.

"I want answers," he said, his voice controlled but lethal. "An intruder breached our security, got into my office, and nearly slipped away unnoticed. Someone in this house is a traitor."

The taller man swallowed hard. "Boss, we've doubled security, but there's no sign of an inside leak."

Dante scoffed. "No sign?" He pulled out a gun in a slow, deliberate motion. The shorter man paled.

"Dante-"

The gunshot was deafening. Blood splattered across the mahogany desk as the shorter man collapsed, lifeless.

The remaining subordinate stood frozen, his breath shuddering.

"Find the rat," Dante ordered, sliding the gun back into its holster as if nothing had happened. "Or you'll be next."

The room tensed as the men nodded quickly before taking their leave.

"Don't forget to clean this up."

As soon as the door shut, Dante turned his gaze toward his phone. He had received another message earlier from his unknown ally. Another warning. Another piece of the puzzle.

Whoever they were, they knew things even he didn't.

And that both intrigued and infuriated him.

Back in Valeria's quarters, Victoria was still basking in the success of her earlier performance, but her satisfaction was quickly snuffed out as Valeria's expression shifted.

"You did well tonight," Valeria admitted, pouring herself a glass of wine. Then, her tone dropped. "But don't forget your place."

Victoria stiffened slightly, her smile faltering. "I thought-"

"You thought wrong," Valeria interrupted smoothly, taking a sip of her drink before meeting Victoria's gaze. "Dante will never be yours. You are here for one purpose and one purpose only-to make that girl's life unbearable until she leaves on her own."

Victoria clenched her fists, her jaw tightening.

Valeria stepped closer, reaching for her phone and typing something in. A moment later, Victoria's own phone buzzed.

"The rest of your payment," Valeria said. "Continue playing your part, and there will be more."

Victoria glanced down at the message confirming the transaction before looking back up at Valeria.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, Victoria smiled-cold and calculating.

"Of course, Valeria," she said sweetly. "I wouldn't dream of overstepping."

But as Valeria turned away, Victoria's expression darkened.

She would get what she wanted. One way or another.

Later that night, Elena found herself walking aimlessly down one of the long corridors, lost in thought. She wasn't sure how long she had been wandering when a shadow suddenly loomed over her.

Her heart clenched as she turned-only to find Lorenzo standing far too close.

His dark eyes gleamed with something unreadable as he tilted his head, studying her like a predator observing its prey.

"You've been awfully quiet tonight," he mused, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from her face.

Elena immediately tensed, her breath hitching.

She took a step back, but Lorenzo's hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly.

"Don't," she said sharply, trying to pull away.

Lorenzo only smirked, his grip tightening slightly as he leaned in. His breath ghosted against her skin, his fingers trailing up to her neck, making her shudder.

Elena's pulse pounded as she turned her head sharply, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Let me go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

But Lorenzo only chuckled, his lips curling into something far too amused.

"Now, why would I do that?"

The tension crackled like a storm ready to break.