(Sierra's POV)
The cold morning air hits my face as I step out of the mansion gates. I pull my coat tighter around me, ignoring the faint ache in my chest. Ignoring him,
I can feel Stefano's gaze burning the back of my neck. I don't look back. I don't let myself. For two days, I've reminded myself:
Distance. Space. Protection. Because his mixed signals — pulling me close, then cutting me down — are tearing me apart. Sebastian walks beside me as cheerful as always.
" Sunshine." he nudges, using the nickname he gave me, "you sure you're okay? You look… tired."
"I'm fine." My voice cracks, and I quickly pray he doesn't notice. He notices. But he doesn't push. He just walks closer, shielding me from the cold winds. As we approach the car, Marko and Ethan are waiting.
"Sie, good morning," Marko says, voice warm. Stefano steps out behind them. I freeze. He looks different today. His eyes softened for a moment - then panic flickers inside him, and his expression hardens. He opens his mouth, but I turn away and get inside the car. He goes silent. And I pretend not to feel the pain in his silence.
(Stefano's POV)
She's ignoring me. Again. And I hate how much it affects me.I get in the passenger seat, my jaw clenched. Sebastian sits beside Sierra in the back, Marko huddled alongside them. Ethan in the driving seat. Sierra doesn't meet my eyes but instead looks out the window. There's such a strong urge to pull her face toward me, bite those lips-it scares me.
Sebastian leans forward. "You okay, Stefano?"
"I'm fine," I snap. Sierra flinches her shoulders- and I immediately regret it. Why does her reaction burn me like this? Why does her ignoring me feel worse than her hating me?
Ethan's voice cuts through the tense silence.
Big day at college. Midterm assignment week. Architecture department will be crowded. Sierra nods lightly, without looking up. Her voice is small. "I know." Something inside me twists. She's quiet. Tired. And that's my fault. I look at her hands — she's holding the edge of Sebastian's sleeve. I swallow hard. I used to think that would annoy me. Turns out, it destroys me. Christ! I want her.
(Sierra's POV)
College bursts with life-festivals, assignment booths, football training in the distance. Luciana's eyes find me the second I step in. She smirks. Her girls — Rosa, Sasa, Kesi — flank her like shadows. Luciana is flipping her hair around like she's on a photoshoot. "Look who's here," she purrs. "The charity case."
I freeze. Not again. Previous one is still bothering. Not another. My heart drops. Marko steps in front of me instantly; all playful energy gone. "Back off, Luciana."
Luciana's eyebrow arches.
"Oh please, I'm just saying good morning. No need to act like her bodyguard."
"She doesn't need bodyguards," Ethan says, voice sharp. "Just basic human decency. Something you lack."
Luciana rolls her eyes and saunters away-but the smirk thrown over her shoulder promises trouble.
I swallow. Something feels… off.
(Sierra's POV)
I sit at lunch under a tree near the architecture building with Angel, Marko, and Ethan. Sebastian is busy with his friends today. Marko lays his hurt hand in his lap.
"Your ointment helped. My hand is fully recovered now" he says softly. "A lot."
"I'm glad." I smile light. He nods. Something warm flickers in his eyes. He's starting to become important to me. Not romantically-ever-but safe. Ethan tosses a packet of chips to Marko. He snickers, "Look at you two being emotional." "Stop before I cry too." I laugh. For the first time all day, I laugh.
(Stefano's POV)
Her laugh hits me like a weapon. She never laughs around me anymore. But around Marko? Around Ethan? Around Sebastian? It's effortless. And it bothers me way more than I want to admit. I lean against a pillar, arms crossed, pretending not to stare. Sebastian appears beside me.
"Why don't you just talk to her?"
"I don't want to talk," I lie.
Sebastian lets out a sad sigh.
"Then stop looking at her like that." I look away sharply.
(Sierra's POV)
Later that day
After the classes end, I leave the building with Angel. She's talking about tomorrow's presentation when— A girl bumps into me on purpose. My books scatter across the floor. I freeze.
Rosa smirks down at me. "Oh dear, did the princess fall? How sad."
Sasa laughs. "Maybe she should crawl. It suits her."
Angel steps in front of me, angrily. "Touch her again and I swear—"
Luciana arrives. Her heels click sharply. A victorious smile curls her red lips. "You embarrassed yourself beautifully today, Sierra," she says sweetly.
"Enjoy the attention. It's only the beginning."
Before I can react, before Angel can respond, they merely walk away laughing. My throat tightens. They're up to something. I can feel it crawling under my skin.
(Stefano's POV)
I saw. I saw the way Luciana shoved those girls toward Sierra. I saw Sierra fall. I saw her hands shake. I waited until the courtyard was empty. Then I approached where she had dropped her books. She wasn't there anymore; she left with Angel. But her notebook was still on the ground. I picked it up. I pressed it to my chest, exhaling through clenched teeth.
"Touch her again," I muttered, "and I'll destroy you, Luciana." I was only polite cz we had a past.
For the first time, the anger I felt wasn't confusion — it wasn't hate — it wasn't denial. It was protective. Territorial. Feral. And it scared me.
(Sierra's POV)
Night — outside the mansion. Sebastian walks inside ahead of me. Marko and Ethan follow. Mostly they stay the whole day and evening here then go back to their house at night. A moment of solitude is spent under the streetlight; I need air.
It's quiet. Too quiet. Then— A shadow crosses the street. My heart falters. I turn- Nothing.
Merely a crowd passing by. People going home. City lights reflecting off the wet pavement.
(Third person's POV)
A tall, dark-coated man stands at the far end of the sidewalk. Hidden beneath the hood. Watching me with such an intensity, it freezes the air. His gloved hand grips something — a small silver pendant. My name engraved on it. His voice is a whisper lost under the hum of traffic:
"Soon, Bella… I'll come for you."
(Sierra's POV)
He disappears into the crowd. And I… I feel nothing. I see nothing. I just shiver and head inside. Unaware that the past is walking closer.
(Stefano's POV)
Inside Sierra walks in quietly. Her eyes are red, like she's been crying. My chest tightens painfully. Before I can stop myself, I take a step forward. "Sierra—" She walks right past me. I exhale, frustrated, lost. I no longer understand my own heart. But one thing is certain: Something is coming. Something dangerous. And I'm not letting anyone -- not Luciana, not gossip. is not even a shadow from her past — hurt her again. Even if she hates me for the rest of her life. I've already dropped the plan of digging her past without realizing my own.
(To be continued...…)