His arm tightened instinctively around Chiara before he realized where he was.
Morning light filtered faintly through the curtains.
"Boss," Emilio's voice called from outside. "Someone is here to see you."
Luca exhaled quietly and carefully slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake Chiara. She shifted slightly beneath the sheets but remained asleep.
He walked to the door and opened it partially.
Emilio stood outside, posture straight.
"Who?"
"Isabella."
Luca's expression hardened faintly.
"At this hour?"
"She said it's important."
For a second, Luca considered sending her away. But then he replied.
"I'll be there shortly."
Emilio nodded once and stepped aside.
Luca shut the door quietly and glanced back toward the bed. Chiara was still sleeping.
He walked into the bathroom, splashed cold water over his face, dressed quickly in dark trousers and a black shirt, then headed out.
-
Isabella was already waiting in the sitting room when he entered. She looked elegant as always, dressed in a black short gown and red stiletto heels. Her blonde hair let down in cascading waves, her lips colored in bright, shiny red. She looked perfectly composed.
The moment she saw him, she stood immediately.
"Luca."
She crossed the room toward him and wrapped her arms around him before he could stop her.
But Luca stiffened instantly. He didn't touch her back, didn't bother to return the embrace.
She stepped away slowly, though the smile on her lips remained.
"I missed you," she said softly. "And... I wanted to apologize."
Luca remained standing, with his hands in his pockets. He didn't respond.
"What happened with Chiara the other day..." Isabella continued, lowering her gaze slightly. "I know you're angry with me."
"You injured her."
"It was an accident."
Luca's eyes cooled further.
Isabella sighed lightly. "Regardless... I came to apologize properly."
"There's no need," Luca replied flatly. "Chiara is fine. That's what matters."
Something flickered across Isabella's face at the mention of Chiara.
A maid entered then with tea, setting everything neatly before leaving the room again.
The silence stretched briefly as they both sat down.
Isabella lifted her teacup gracefully. Then she looked at him.
"I heard about your operation last night."
Luca's gaze snapped to hers instantly.
Without hesitation, his eyes flicked toward the bedroom door.
Then he looked back at Isabella slowly.
Warning clear in his expression. Isabella understood immediately. A soft laugh escaped her lips.
"There it is," she murmured. "That look."
She took another slow sip of tea.
"Your innocent little wife doesn't know about this side of you, does she?"
Luca said nothing. His silence only amused her more.
"What do you think will happen," Isabella continued casually, "when she finally realizes who you really are?"
Still smiling, she leaned back slightly.
"That the man kissing her during the day is also the man who slaughters people like animals at night?"
Luca's voice came low and cold.
"Be careful."
Isabella tilted her head innocently.
"Or what?"
His stare alone could have frozen blood. But Isabella only smirked. She stood and walked toward him slowly.
"You're making this difficult for yourself, Luca."
When she reached him, she lifted a hand toward his collar as though to adjust it.
But Luca caught her wrist midair instantly.
His eyes met hers.
The look he gave her was lethal.
Isabella only smiled wider despite the pressure on her wrist.
"There he is," she whispered.
Luca released her abruptly.
She stepped back smoothly, unbothered.
"Why don't you just let the girl go?" Isabella asked softly. "Then you can stop pretending."
His jaw tightened.
"You can live freely again," she continued. "Without hiding what you really are."
Luca stood sharply.
The movement was sudden enough to make the tea set rattle faintly.
"Leave."
His voice was tight with fury. But Isabella didn't move immediately. Instead, she looked at him carefully.
"You're already falling apart because of her," she said quietly.
Luca's eyes darkened.
"I said leave."
This time, there was no mistaking the threat beneath it. Isabella held his gaze for a long moment. Then she smiled faintly.
"Fine."
She picked up her handbag gracefully and moved toward the door, but she paused and looked back at him.
"She will never survive this world, Luca."
Then she walked out, the sound of her heels echoing behind her.
Luca stood still for several seconds, his jaw clenched tightly.
Then slowly, his gaze shifted toward the bedroom door again.
He sat down and exhaled quietly.
Isabella's words lingered in the room like smoke.
She will never survive this world, Luca.
His jaw tightened.
He rubbed a hand slowly across his face, exhaustion pressing heavily against him.
The sound of the bedroom door opening pulled him from his thoughts. Luca looked up immediately.
Chiara stood there quietly, one hand resting lightly against the doorframe, staring at him.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Luca's gaze swept over her instinctively.
Her hair was scattered softly around her shoulders from sleep, her lips slightly swollen from rest, her nightgown draping gently over her figure. The morning light spilling through the curtains outlined her in soft gold.
Something tightened low in his chest.
Chiara moved first.
Without hesitation, she crossed the room quickly and wrapped her arms around him.
The suddenness of it disoriented him for half a second.
Then instinct took over. His arms closed around her immediately, firm and protective.
Chiara shifted slightly and settled onto his lap, looking up at him with sleepy eyes.
"Where were you all night?" she asked softly.
Luca searched her eyes, but there was no accusation in her tone, only worry.
"I waited for you," she continued quietly. "I tried to stay awake, but... somehow I woke up in bed."
A faint smile touched Luca's lips despite himself. He lifted a hand and gently smoothed back some of her messy hair.
"I had an errand to handle," he said calmly. "Nothing serious."
Chiara studied him carefully. She knew he wasn't telling her everything. She wanted to believe him. Because she loved him.
The realization settled painfully deep inside her chest.
This mysterious man who had appeared in her life so suddenly... this man surrounded by secrets and danger and shadows she still didn't fully understand.
Everything about him should have frightened her.
Instead, she felt herself falling deeper.
Luca watched her quietly, reading every emotion that crossed her face.
Then suddenly, he stood.
Still carrying her effortlessly in his arms.
Chiara blinked in surprise before smiling softly at him, one arm instinctively slipping around his neck for balance.
But Luca's expression remained thoughtful.
He carried her back toward the bedroom.
"You should get ready for the day, we'll be having breakfast at the villa with the rest of the family" he said quietly.
He set her gently down near the bed before stepping back slightly.
"I'll have the maids prepare a bath for you."
Chiara looked at him for a moment longer, searching his face as though trying to understand the thoughts he kept hidden behind those guarded eyes.
But Luca turned toward the door.
Just then, "Why was Isabella here?" She asked suddenly.