My eyes flew open. I sat up, my heart thudding in my ribcage.
He was there—sitting, staring at me, his face dark as a storm.
“Who are you?” I asked, breathless, scrambling away from him.
He said nothing, only stood up and poured himself a glass of brandy. This stranger was cold, brooding, and silent.
“Thank you for saving me,” I said, but I got no reply. “Are you going to kill me?”
He was still silent. Instead, he picked up a remote and turned on the TV.
I gasped.
Zane, Sasha, and Melissa appeared on screen.
Zane roared and smashed his glass against the wall. “I told you to scare her—not kill her!”
What?
Zane knew…? He was behind my attack?
Tears burned my eyes. My heart broke in pieces.
“But she slapped me,” Sasha said softly.
“You had no right!” Zane shouted. “All I wanted was her money. Do you know how I stayed married to her for five years and milked her for money? For you.”
“Zane, listen—”
“No! Enough!” he yelled at Sasha, and she flinched.
“At least she’s alive,” Melissa said.
“We’ll find her, go on with the plan, then get the money…”
“This ends now,” Zane said.
“Zane, what’s wrong with you?” Sasha snapped. “This was our plan—why are you defending that spoiled brat…?”
“She’s still my wife. I care about her,” he protested. “I’m going to find her.”
Zane was about to storm out when Sasha suddenly cried out, clutching her stomach.
“Oh my God, Sasha!” Melissa rushed to her side.
“I’m in pain. Zane, baby, take me to the hospital,” she whimpered, and Zane panicked.
“Are you okay?”
“You’re yelling at me when I was just harassed days ago. And I think it’s that time of the month… You don’t know how terrible I feel,” she sniffled, eyes glistening.
“Apologize, take her to the hospital, and stop blaming us,” Melissa barked. “If it had worked out and we all got the money, you wouldn’t feel sorry for your dumb, stupid wife!”
Zane sighed, kissed Sasha, then scooped her into his arms and stormed out. Melissa lingered, chuckling to herself before walking out.
The stranger turned off the TV.
I bowed my head and wept at the betrayal. I didn’t know how long I cried, but he let me.
Eventually, he spoke. “I’m sorry I came in late. Imagine if I hadn’t.” His voice was low, jaw ticking with anger and controlled fury.
“You’ve suffered so long… I thought you loved him. But he’s a fool.”
“I did love him.” I wiped my tears.
“I know,” he said quietly, kneeling beside me. His hand gently cupped my cheek. “Don’t cry. You’re too pretty to cry.”
He wiped my face, then kissed my knuckles—warm and gentle.
My heart melted.
“My nanny changed your clothes. You passed out in my car,” he added with a small smile.
“Thank you.” I smiled sadly.
“You’re welcome.”
“Elenora,” he said, “Zane doesn’t love you. Come with me. I’ll take you away. Give you a better life.”
I shook my head. My heart still ached at the mention of his name. “How do you know me?” I whispered.
“I’ve always known you, sweetie.” His smile deepened.
“My jet leaves tomorrow. Let me give you a new home. Just say yes and come with me.”
I clutched my blanket. I had never felt this safe with my family. “Yes,” I said softly, and he smiled again.
“I have something to show you. You have fresh clothes ready for you,” he said.
Soon, I was bathed and dressed in a clean dress. This stranger held my hand as we descended the stairs. The house was full of stern-looking men who bowed respectfully as we walked by.
“Don’t be scared,” he told me. “They work for me.”
Somehow, I wasn’t afraid. His presence calmed me.
He led me to a hidden door in the library. A basement lay dark below.
I hesitated at the darkness, but he nudged me gently forward. We stopped in a wide, open space and he turned to me.
“I am Don Raffa,” he said, “and I’m back to take what’s rightfully mine.”
My stomach tightened. “What’s that?”
“You.” His voice was formal and cold. Then he smiled—a grin that chilled my bones.
And slowly, he drew a gun.
My heart stopped.
He was going to kill me.
I had trusted him too soon.
I made to back away, my tears threatening to spill. “Please,” I begged as he raised the gun.
But…
He wasn’t aiming at me.
Two shots shattered the silence. I screamed and clung to him in fear.
“I would never hurt you,” he murmured, holding me close and kissing my hair softly.
With a snap of his fingers, the lights blazed on.
Two men hung from ropes—bloody and dead.
My knees buckled, but he held me steady.
“I—I know them,” I whispered, trembling. “They attacked me.”
“They won’t hurt you again,” he said. “No one ever will again.”
“You killed them…” My heart raced.
“For you,” he replied, calm and resolute.
Everything blurred. My head spun. Then a figure appeared behind Raffa and my face lit up.
“Leon?” I gasped.
“Hey,” he said, rushing over and wrapping me in a tight hug.
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” I exhaled, finally at peace.
“This is Leon,” Don Raffa said. “My lawyer and my most trusted man. He’s been watching over you for years. I paid him to protect you.”
Leon nodded, still holding my hand.
“He told me something wasn’t right. That’s when I stepped in.”
I stared at both of them, still surprised.
“From today,” Raffa said, “anyone who hurts you will perish.”
His words echoed with chilling finality.
“But… who are you?” I asked.
He looked me dead in the eye. “I’m your husband, Elenora. Raffaele Bellucci. Nice to meet you.”
