The Romano villa was bathed in the golden hues of the late afternoon, the kind of light that made the marble floors gleam and the sprawling gardens seem endless.
Lia stood in the courtyard, her hands gripping the folder Dante had given her. The weight of the evidence felt heavier than it should, as though it carried not just proof but the echoes of her broken trust.
She inhaled deeply, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The choice before her felt monumental—like a cliff she was being forced to leap from.
She had spent weeks retreating into the safety of her family, but she knew she couldn't hide forever.
The sound of footsteps behind her made her turn. It was Alessio, his sharp suit pristine despite the day's heat.
He approached her with a steady, measured gait, his expression a blend of concern and determination.
"Still thinking?" he asked, his deep voice breaking the silence.
Lia gave a small nod. "It's not just about proving my innocence anymore, Alessio. It's about everything—Dante, Leonardo, the way my life turned upside down because of them."
He folded his arms, standing tall like the pillar of strength he had always been for her. "And what does your gut tell you?"
Lia hesitated, her fingers brushing over the edge of the folder. "That I need to stop running. But part of me is scared of what happens when I do."
Alessio stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Fear doesn't make you weak, Lia. It makes you human. But you're stronger than you think. If you weren't, you wouldn't still be standing."
His words settled over her like a balm, soothing the storm within her. She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. "I don't know what I'd do without you and the others."
"You'll never have to find out," Alessio said firmly. "We're family. We fight together."
She nodded, a flicker of determination igniting in her chest. "Then I guess it's time I stop letting the past control me."
"Good," Alessio said, his lips curving into a rare smile. "Because Dante's not the only one who should be answering for what he's done. It's time we deal with Leonardo, once and for all."
Meanwhile, at Moretti Enterprises...
Dante stood in his office, the skyline of Milan stretching out before him. The city was alive with its usual hum of energy, but his focus was fixed on the stack of documents Sandro had just placed on his desk.
"Leonardo's been careful," Sandro said, his tone low. "But not careful enough. We've traced his offshore accounts, and it's clear he's been funneling funds to secure alliances with our competitors."
Dante's jaw tightened as he scanned the documents. Every page was a testament to Leonardo's greed and betrayal. But what burned him most was the knowledge that he had let this happen under his watch.
"What about Vittoria?" Dante asked, setting the papers aside.
Sandro's lips pressed into a thin line. "She's been his accomplice, though it's unclear what her endgame is. Marriage, maybe? Power? Knowing Vittoria, it's probably both."
Dante's fists clenched at his sides. Vittoria's ambition had always been a thorn in his side, but her betrayal cut deeper than he had anticipated.
"Where is Leonardo now?" Dante asked, his voice sharp.
Sandro checked his phone. "He's scheduled a meeting with Vittoria at the Conti estate tonight. If I had to guess, they're strategizing their next move."
Dante's lips curved into a grim smile. "Then it's time we interrupt their little meeting."
Sandro arched an eyebrow. "Are you sure? If you confront them now, it could escalate."
"It will escalate," Dante said coldly. "But I'm done playing games. If Leonardo thinks he can take me down, he's about to learn the hard way that no one crosses a Moretti and gets away with it."
Sandro nodded, his respect for Dante evident. "I'll make the arrangements."
As Sandro left, Dante leaned back in his chair, his mind drifting to Lia. Her face was etched into his memory—the way she had looked at him the last time they spoke, her eyes filled with anger and pain.
He knew he had no right to ask for her forgiveness, but he couldn't stop himself from hoping. She deserved to know the truth about Leonardo, even if it didn't erase his own mistakes.
That Evening at the Romano Villa...
Lia stood in her bedroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She had chosen a simple yet elegant outfit—a tailored blouse and dark trousers that exuded quiet confidence. Her hair was swept into a low ponytail, and the only jewelry she wore was the delicate silver bracelet her mother had given her years ago.
She smoothed her hands over her blouse, inhaling deeply. Tonight, she would confront Dante—not just for herself, but for the truth.
A knock at the door made her turn. Marco leaned against the frame, his arms crossed and a mischievous grin on his face.
"You look like you're heading into battle," he teased.
"In a way, I am," Lia said, her lips curving into a faint smile.
Marco stepped into the room, his grin fading as he studied her. "You sure about this?"
"No," she admitted. "But I have to do it anyway."
Marco nodded, his usual playfulness replaced with sincerity. "Just remember—you don't owe him anything. If he tries to push you, I'll be there to handle him."
She chuckled softly. "I think I can handle Dante on my own."
Marco smirked. "We'll see."
As he left, Lia grabbed her bag and the folder, her resolve hardening. Tonight, she would take the first step toward reclaiming her life.
At the Conti Estate...
The grand estate was bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers as Dante stepped inside, his expression cold and unreadable. The staff greeted him with polite smiles, but he barely acknowledged them, his focus fixed on the meeting taking place in the drawing room.
Leonardo's voice drifted through the open door, his tone smug as he spoke to Vittoria.
"Dante's too distracted chasing after his ex-wife to see what's coming," Leonardo said, a note of triumph in his voice. "By the time he realizes, it'll be too late."
Dante stepped into the room, his presence cutting through the conversation like a blade.
"Too late for what, Leonardo?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm.
Leonardo froze, his smirk faltering as he turned to face Dante. Vittoria's eyes widened in surprise, though she quickly masked it with a saccharine smile.
"Dante," Leonardo said, recovering quickly. "What a surprise."
Dante's lips curved into a cold smile. "I'm sure it is."
He stepped further into the room, his gaze sharp as it flicked between the two of them. "But don't let me interrupt. Please, continue."
Leonardo's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Vittoria, however, rose from her seat, her smile as false as ever.
"We were just discussing business," she said sweetly. "You know how it is."
Dante's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, I know exactly how it is."
As the tension in the room thickened, Dante's phone buzzed in his pocket. He ignored it, his focus fixed on the traitors standing before him.
Tonight, the game would change.
To Be Continued...