**ANASTASIA**
I arrive home, my mind still reeling from the unexpected encounter with Luca. The house is quiet, and for a moment, I feel a sense of relief. Dante isn't here, which gives me a chance to clear my head and regain some semblance of peace.
I head straight for the shower, hoping the hot water will wash away the tension and confusion swirling inside me. The steam envelopes me, and I let it soothe my aching muscles and frazzled nerves. When I finally emerge, I feel slightly more composed but still troubled.
As I make my way downstairs, the smell of something delicious wafts through the house. I follow the scent to the kitchen, where I find Beatrice and Chiara busy preparing dinner.
"Why are you two cooking?" I ask, trying to sound casual. "Where's Cecilia? Isn't she supposed to be handling the meals?"
The girls exchange a hesitant glance before Beatrice speaks up. "Cecilia… she had some personal matters to attend to. We're just helping out."
I narrow my eyes, sensing something is off but deciding not to press further. "Alright. Thank you for handling it."
I decide a walk around the house might help me clear my mind. The grandeur of the mansion, with its intricate decor and expansive spaces, feels like a gilded cage, echoing my frustration and isolation.
As I pass by Dante's study, I hear muffled sounds coming from inside—sounds like—moans. My heart skips a beat as curiosity and dread overcome me, and I slowly turn the handle of the study door.
The scene before me is a devastating shock. Cecilia is sprawled across the desk, her legs spread wide as Dante stands between them, driving into her with hard, unrelenting thrusts. I thought they were so caught up in the moment that they didn't notice me standing there, but before I can take a step back, Dante's eyes meet mine.
I freeze, my mind struggling to process the sight in front of me. Dante pauses, still inside her, and just stares at me. My hands begin to tremble, and I feel tears gathering in my eyes. Is this the kind of marriage I'm destined to endure? With a man who has no respect for me? We don't love each other—I don't even like this man—but did he have to do this in just one night that I have spent in Italy?
This is not the marriage I envisioned, nor the kind of husband I wanted. If he was going to betray me like this, he might as well have let me marry the old man instead. At least the old man wouldn't be screwing the staff right under our roof.
I need to get out of here, out of this house, before I lose my mind. Without thinking, I quickly close the door and back away, my breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps. The pain and humiliation are overwhelming, but I force myself to stay calm. I wasn't expecting to see this, but it only confirms Dante's total disregard for me.
I walk briskly out of the house, my emotions a whirlwind of anger and hurt. Now I understand why Cecilia never welcomed me warmly—she's been sleeping with Dante all along. The disrespect is almost unbearable. Dante's actions are a slap in the face, a betrayal of the vows we took, and a painful reminder of the frustrating marriage I'm trapped in.
I walk quickly toward the elevator, not even sure where I'm headed, but it doesn't matter—I just need to get out of this place.
"Where are you going, sister-in-law?" A familiar voice calls out, and I don't need to turn around to know it's Romero.
I ignore him, staring straight ahead, waiting for the elevator doors to open. He moves to stand beside me.
"You're not exactly dressed to go out, sister-in-law. Are you okay?" he asks again.
I feel tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. I turn away, deciding to use another elevator since this one seems to be taking forever. But before I can take a step, Romero grabs my arm, pulling me back. I'm forced to face him, quickly turning my head away to hide the tears. The last thing I need is for him to see me crying—it'll only make me feel worse. What can I expect from the brother of an asshole?
"Are you crying?" he asks, his voice laced with concern.
I roll my eyes inwardly. He noticed, after all. I shake my head. "No, just let me go. I need to leave."
"And where will you go? This place is more dangerous than you think, especially now that you're Dante's wife. I thought he assigned Alessio to guard you. Where is he?"
I pull my wrist out of his grip and frown. "I don't need a bodyguard. I can take care of myself."
He sighs. "I'm heading out myself, actually. Want to come along?"
I turn to him, studying him for a moment. He's right—I don't know my way around Italy, and wandering off on my own could be dangerous. I nod slowly.
He sighs again. "Dante is definitely going to have my head," I hear him mutter under his breath.
"Then you shouldn't bother," I say, trying to walk away, but he grabs my wrist and pulls me toward another elevator, ushering me inside.
After a brief silence, Romero asks, "What did he do?"
I angrily wipe my eyes. I refuse to let myself cry over someone like him.
Sighing, I mutter, "It's only been one night. Couldn't he have waited a little longer?"
"What happened, Anastasia?" Romero presses.
"I caught him fucking his cook," I finally admit, the words I've been struggling to push out.
Romero shakes his head and stuffs his hands into his pockets, seemingly unfazed.
"Cecilia?" he asks.
I remain silent. He doesn't sound surprised.
He sighs. "Dante's relationship with Cecilia is more complicated than you realize. If Dante had the capacity to love anyone, it would have been her, and you wouldn't have been involved."
I scoff. "As if I wanted to marry him. I know he doesn't care about me, and I don't care about him, but this—this is disrespectful."
Romero sighs. "Dante is many things but I'm sure he wouldn't mean to disrespect you. He—"
I cut him off, incredulous. "He didn't mean to? What do you call this? He was screwing his cook right in front of me, under the same roof! If he was doing this before I arrived, fine, but doing it now, while we're married, is a blatant disrespect."
Romero chuckles lightly. I can't believe he's laughing at a time like this.
I roll my eyes. "Of course you'd side with him—he's your brother."
Romero laughs again, though his tone is more subdued. "Our relationship is more complicated than you think, Anastasia. I did warn you when you arrived. It's only been a night, and you're already in tears."
"You're not exactly helping matters," I say, rolling my eyes.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine."
Will I be? Here I am, running away while my so-called husband is still inside with someone else. Is this how he plans to treat me in this marriage? Can't he at least make it a little more bearable for me?
We reach the garage, and Romero guides me to the front seat before sliding into the car himself. I rest my head against the headrest and shut my eyes, not caring where he's taking me. I just need to escape this environment.
"Do you know where we're going, sister-in-law?" Romero asks as we drive away from the penthouse.
I glance at him briefly before turning my attention back to the window. "I don't know and I don't care. Just get me out of here."
Romero chuckles. "Oh no, sister-in-law, you should care. I don't frequent places that are particularly suitable for women."
"If you know it's not appropriate, then why are you taking me there?" I ask, still not looking at him.
He remains silent for a moment, then makes a turn. I continue to watch the beautiful streets of the city passing by.
"If I hadn't offered to take you, you would have wandered the city alone. I can't have you causing problems for us."
I scoff at his words, realizing his concern is more about their reputation than my well-being.
"I don't need any of you deciding my life. And your brother has proven he's nothing but the same as that old man I was supposed to marry" I say, trying to mask the pain in my voice.
"Trust me, Anastasia, Dante may be cruel but it's better to be married to Dante than Nikolai. At least Dante will let you do what you want."
"You talk as if you're any different," I say, my voice thick with frustration. "Whether it's Nikolai or Dante, they'll hurt me all the same." Tears well up in my eyes, but I force them back. "This isn't the life I want. This isn't the kind of marriage I want."
"Well, here we are, sister-in-law," Romero announces, pulling up in front of a massive building.
"And where is here?" I ask, curious. The place looks deserted, with no one in sight.
"You'll find out," he says with a cryptic smile as he takes a turn into the garage. I scan the area, noticing only luxury cars parked here.
I reach for the door and step out as Romero comes around to meet me. "My brother is going to be really pissed for bringing you here, but well, I live to spite him," he laughs.
I roll my eyes. Dante can do what he wants and I cannot? "So, what now?"
"Now, you stay close to me and don't wander off, alright?"
"And what if something else catches my eye?"
"Trust me, Anastasia, you'll be safer sticking with me. Besides, it'll be more fun that way." He grins at me.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. "Fine, whatever." As long as it's far from Dante and his conquest, I'm willing to go along with it.
XOXO