Chapter 2
Elena's POV
Catherine's voice shifts from surprise to tears on the other end. "Elena... did Dante do something?"
"My parents saved both of you. Now I'm calling in that debt. I want my freedom."
"Okay," she says through tears. "But promise me you'll take care of yourself."
The call ends. Dizziness hits me hard. The side effects from the kidney transplant again.
"Who were you just talking to?"
Dante's voice comes from behind me.
"The family lawyer. Just asking about how to cut ties with the family."
He stares at me for a few seconds. "The Morettis are coming for you in seven days. Get your room cleared out before then. Vivian's moving in tomorrow."
"I understand."
He turns to leave, then stops, his back still to me. "The lawyer's right. The Morettis are brutal. But Vivian's too weak to handle it. You've always been healthy. Worst case, you'll take some beatings. Just tough it out."
A bitter laugh escapes me.
Right. In his eyes, I'm always the healthy one. The kidney I gave him probably doesn't count for much either.
And eight years of loving him? Even less.
But it doesn't matter anymore. In seven days, I'll be gone from this place. Gone from him.
After that, Dante Ashford, we're nothing to each other.
Over the next few days, I'm a ghost in this house.
The next afternoon, I'm heading to the guest room with my suitcase when I pass the master bedroom. Vivian's sitting on the bed, directing the staff. "Put the wardrobe over there. Vanity by the window... These curtains are too dark. I don't like them."
Dante says patiently, "I'll have them changed tomorrow."
He doesn't even look up. "Go pack in the guest room. Don't get in the way here."
The master bedroom is reserved for the family heir. I've been here eight years and never set foot inside once.
And she's already claimed it.
On the third day, dinner is served at the long table. They sit at one end, I sit at the other. A dozen empty chairs between us.
"Feeling better?" Dante serves Vivian food.
She leans against his shoulder. "With you taking care of me, I'm healing fast."
I used to dream about scenes like this. Sitting across from him, hearing him ask me gently how my day was.
The dream came true. Just with a different leading lady.
On the fourth evening, the pocket watch locked in my drawer is gone.
It's the only thing my father left me. A gift he prepared the week before my tenth birthday. The accident happened before he could give it to me.
I wind it every day, listening to the ticking. It's like hearing his heartbeat.
Outside the master bedroom, Vivian's holding the watch up to the mirror, trying to wear the chain like a necklace.
"Put that down! That's my father's!"
She turns around, still playing with it. Her tone is casual. "This old thing means that much to you?"
I reach for it.
Something cold flashes in her eyes, but then her expression melts. Tears well up instantly. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I didn't know it would upset you this much... Here, I'll give it back..."
She makes a show of handing it over. Then her hand opens.
I reach out to catch it.
A force slams into me from the side. I stumble back and hit the bedpost.
The watch crashes to the floor. The glass face shatters and the second hand stops moving.
Dante's holding Vivian tight, glaring at me. "What's wrong with you? She said she'd give it back!"
Vivian shrinks into his arms, shoulders shaking.
I kneel down and pick up the pieces. Sharp glass cuts my fingers and blood drips onto the broken face. It doesn't hurt. Or maybe it does, but compared to what I'm feeling inside, this is nothing.
"She did it on purpose." My voice is calm.
He lets out a cold laugh. "How long are you gonna keep blaming her for everything? It's just an old watch. I'll buy you a new one."
For a moment, I remember years ago.
Ten-year-old me, curled up in a corner of an unfamiliar room, clutching the box with the watch inside.
He came in, crouched down, and said, "Don't be scared. This is your home now. I'll keep everything your father left you safe. I'll protect everything that's yours."
His eyes were so serious then.
And now, he's the one who destroyed it.
"Forget it. Since you've already forgotten anyway, let's just pretend I was never part of this family."
I turn and walk away.
"Wait—" He calls out reflexively.
But I don't stop.
Dante watches my straight back disappear down the hallway. A chill runs down his spine.
That look in her eyes... no anger, no sadness, not even disappointment.
Just a dead calm.
Like she's looking at a stranger.
That night, in the master bedroom.
Vivian's lying in his arms. "About today... will she hate me?"
"No. She's just been spoiled. Used to having everyone revolve around her."
"You're still too good to her. Anyone else would've kicked her out by now."
He's quiet for a moment. "I promised her father I'd take care of her."
Jealousy flickers in her eyes, but she quickly masks it with an eager expression. "Once I'm recovered... can we have the wedding?"
Dante leans down and kisses her forehead. "Of course."
Her eyes light up. "I heard she studied event planning before. And she knows what you like better than anyone... Why don't we have her plan our wedding? That way she won't hold today against me."
He pauses.
She wraps her arms around his neck playfully. "Come on, say yes. She's got nothing else to do anyway. Might as well keep her busy."
He sighs, his tone indulgent. "Fine. Whatever you want."
