Chapter 5 : The Dead body

Diana POV

I stiffened. My heart pounded. A big night? What the hell did that mean?

But that wasn’t my priority right now.

"I asked you—where’s Maria?" My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. "She did nothing wrong! She raised you too, Enzo. She treated you like a son!"

For the first time, something flickered in his expression. Guilt? Regret? No—it disappeared too quickly.

"I’ll send someone to clean you up." His tone was dismissive, like I was an inconvenience. "Can’t have you looking filthy."

I clenched my fists. "Damn you, Enzo. Look at me!"

But he had already stood up, moving toward the door. His back was to me, shoulders tense.

Then he paused.

"We didn’t mean to shoot Maria," he said, almost as an afterthought. "Collateral damage."

My breath caught. My legs wobbled beneath me.

"Wait—what does that mean?!" My voice was frantic, desperate. "Enzo! What the hell does that mean?!"

But he didn’t answer.

The door shut.

The lock clicked into place.

"Enzo, please—just tell me she's okay!" I banged my fists against the locked door, my voice breaking. But silence answered me.

I swallowed hard, my breath shaky. Maria couldn't be dead. She couldn't.

I needed to find her.

I needed to get out of here.

I turned my attention to the rope binding my wrists. My fingers trembled as I twisted, yanked, and scraped against the coarse material. The knot was tight, cutting into my skin, but I refused to give up. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as I kept working at it.

Minutes passed. Sweat dripped down my temple. Then—finally—one tug, and the knot loosened. I pulled my hands free, biting my lip to keep from gasping in relief.

I kicked off my heels, bracing myself. Barefoot and silent, I crept toward the door. The moment I cracked it open—

I slammed straight into someone.

"Ugh—" A woman stumbled back, looking irritated. My stomach lurched as I took her in. Tall, dark hair, sharp cheekbones, and an unmistakable air of arrogance.

She smirked. "Let me guess who you are… Diana D’Angelo."

I stiffened. "Who are you?"

She cocked her head mockingly. "Of course you wouldn’t know. I’m Francesca Lombardi."

The name sent a jolt of recognition through me. The Lombardi family—Enzo’s allies.

Then she smiled, slow and smug. "Enzo’s fiancée."

The words knocked the air from my lungs.

I gritted my teeth and pushed past her. "Just get out of my way."

She stepped in front of me, blocking my path with an amused chuckle. "You’re not seriously trying to make a run for it, are you? That’s pathetic."

Her smile turned cruel. "I already buried one dead body today. Guess I wouldn’t mind burying another."

My breath hitched.

"Dead body?"

Francesca's smirk widened as she tilted her head, watching the horror seep into my expression.

"Oh, you don’t know?" she mused, her voice dripping with amusement. "Your nanny… oh, what was her name again? Maria, right? She’s dead."

My body turned to stone.

"What… Did you just say to me?" I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.

Francesca’s grin stretched wider, enjoying every second of my unraveling. "That old nanny of yours? Enzo spent so much effort trying to save her, but guess what? The old goat still died. What a waste!"

A sharp, blinding rage shot through me. Before I even realized what I was doing, my hands flew to her throat.

"You’re lying!" I snarled, squeezing hard. "You’re lying to me!"

Francesca gasped, clawing at my hands, her nails raking against my skin. Her smug expression crumbled, replaced by panic. I could feel her pulse hammering under my grip.

"Let go of me, you crazy—!" she choked, her fingers digging into my wrists.

But I didn’t loosen my grip. Maria was dead?

No.

I wouldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it.

My chest heaved as I tightened my hold. "Tell me you're lying!" I shouted, my vision blurring with unshed tears.

Francesca's face turned red, her breaths growing ragged. Her hands slapped at mine in desperation. "Diana—" she wheezed. "Let—go—!"

But I didn’t want to let go.

My fingers tightened around Francesca’s throat, her weak gasps turning into strangled whimpers. Her nails dug into my wrists, but I didn’t let go.

"You’re lying," I whispered again, my voice shaking, my vision clouded with fury and grief.

Her struggles weakened. Her eyes rolled back slightly.

A few more seconds. I didn’t stop until her body went limp in my hands.

Francesca Lombardi collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

I stepped back, panting. My hands trembled as I stared down at her. My heart pounded so hard I could barely hear anything else.

No time to waste.

I crouched down and yanked off her coat, then her blouse and pants. I stripped quickly, replacing my own torn, dirty clothes with hers. They fit snugly, and I pulled the coat tightly around me, adjusting the cap on my head to shadow my face.

I had to get out of here.

I forced myself to walk, not run, down the hallway, heart hammering. The estate was massive, but I knew where the exit was. I kept my head down as I passed a few men, nodding slightly, mimicking Francesca’s confident stride.

Just a few more steps. The gate was in sight. I was almost there….

"Francesca." I froze.

The voice was sharp. Cold. I knew that voice. Slowly, I turned my head, my face still partially hidden beneath the cap.

Enzo.

He stood a few feet behind me, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp as knives.

My breath caught in my throat.

My entire body stiffened.

"I was wondering where you were going?"

His voice was too close.

I felt the warmth of his breath at the back of my neck, the deep, calculating tone sending a shiver down my spine.

Crap.

He thinks I’m Francesca. I had one chance.

I turned quickly, grabbing his collar and pulling him into a kiss before he could look at my face.

Enzo tensed for a second but didn’t pull away. I pressed closer, deepening the kiss, making it seem like I wanted this, like I wasn’t just seconds away from running for my life.

His scent, dark and intoxicating, filled my senses.

Focus, Diana.

I let my hand trail down his torso, feeling along his belt.

There it is.

The grip of his gun was warm beneath my fingers. I curled my hand around it, slowly, carefully….