(Sierra's POV)
The sun had dipped behind the Blackwood mansion as I stepped out of the car, exhausted from a day of whispered rumours and Luciana's endless games. All I wanted was silence.
Sebastian had gone inside first; Marko and Ethan stayed behind, just to crack a quick joke about their football practice. I gave them a tired smile and proceeded toward the gate—
And then suddenly- A shove. Not harsh… just enough to unbalance me. My bag slipped from my shoulder. I turned immediately. No one was near enough. Merely a group of people walking on the sidewalk, passing like shadows. But I felt something. A look. Heavy… familiar. Cold. My heart didn't stop racing. I scanned the street-but everyone looked normal. Still, something prickled beneath my skin. Like someone knew me. Too well. Who was that?
I shook it off and kneeled to grab my bag— A hand beat me to it. I looked up. Stefano. His jaw was clenched tightly; his eyes were dark with something between fear and anger.
"You don't even pay attention," he muttered, handing me the bag. "Anyone could have hurt you." I froze.
He sounded… almost shaken. "I'm fine," I whispered.
"You're not." His voice dropped. "Not when someone is planning something against u." He meant Luciana. He always meant Luciana. But he looked again sharply at the street over my shoulder. As if he too had sensed someone's presence. He took the back of my elbow, very gently, and guided me inside the gate before I could ask. And too careful. His touch was warm. Like he wasn't letting himself feel the things he was clearly feeling. Also seducing. God protect me from this seduction.
(Stefano's POV)
I saw her stumble before she did. I saw the shadow too Someone slips into the crowd the second Sierra turns. Someone that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. But I didn't tell her. I didn't want to scare her. Or maybe…
I didn't want to see the fear in her eyes again. I picked up her bag and she looked at me like I was doing something strange.
Maybe I was. I'd spent weeks telling myself she didn't matter. Then why does my chest feel like it's burning whenever she looks tired? every time someone hurts her? Whenever I hurt her? And today… see her wobble at the gate… I actually panicked. Me.
Stefano Blackwood.
Panicking over her. I walked her inside, hand wrapped around her arm; she let me. That was the worst part— how natural it felt. No. Not now. Focus.
Because Luciana's next move? I had already overheard it. And Sierra had no idea she was walking right into it tomorrow. I wasn't going to let that happen. Even if it would betray my own stupid plan. Even if it meant betraying everything I promised myself. I was losing control. And it was all her.
(Sierra's POV)
Later that evening, I went back outside to get the book I had forgotten in the car. Nowadays I always forget things and kept them here and there. Something lay on the ground near the gate. A folded paper. I picked it up slowly. No name. No address. Just one sentence, written in beautiful handwriting:
"Bella… you grew up beautifully."
My heart stopped. Only one person ever called me Bella. My father. But it couldn't be. He left. He disappeared. Why would he- A car passed behind me and I flinched. My instincts screamed that someone was watching. But the street was empty now. Empty
…yet not. Something felt wrong. Or right. Or both. I tucked the note into my pocket just as Stefano opened the front door.
His eyes narrowed. "You okay?" I swallowed. "Yeah, just tired."
He didn't believe me. But he didn't push. He stepped closer instead—no more than a fraction—and lowered his voice. "Stay inside tonight." My chest tightened. "Why?"
"Because you're ignoring me enough already." A breath. Then—
"And because something's off." For a moment, it felt like the world got quieter. And I realized something terrifying. No matter how much I tried to avoid him… Stefano Blackwood was the only place that felt safe.
(Stefano's POV)
I watched her from the hallway, as she walked to her room, rubbing her arms, as if she was cold. She didn't see me. But I saw the paper she slipped into her pocket. Something she didn't want anyone else to see. And I saw her hands trembling. Whoever was outside the mansion earlier… They weren't random. And they weren't harmless. Sierra is in danger. Real danger. And it gets worse? Not even my hatred could stop the instinct that rose in my chest. The instinct to protect her. Even if it meant burning down every lie I built. Even if it meant losing myself.
(Third person's POV)
The Mysterious Man Hiding in the shadows near the fence of the Blackwood mansion… The man looked at the lighted windows. Sierra's silhouette passed by one of them and his breathing hitched.
"My Bella," he whispered, his voice shaking with a terrifying softness.
"They tried to keep you from me. But I never left. Never."
He held a small locket in his hand— the locket that once belonged to her. His fingers tightened around it.
"You were always mine."
A car approached. He stepped back into the dark. And disappeared. leaving behind only the note.
(To be continued...)