Chapter 54: The Trap

As soon as he arrived at the property, Romeu was greeted by armed guards.

They wouldn't let him in until he'd been thoroughly searched.

After the search, Romeu was led into the room where Pietra, his ex-lover, was waiting.

She was dressed as if she'd already been expecting him.

Pietra stared at him intently for a few seconds before speaking.

"Romeuzinho, what a wonderful surprise. To what do I owe the honor of your visit to my humble residence?"

She asked, ironic.

Silvia had been right, Romeu concluded. Pietra had certainly already guessed he'd come to try to find out Mikaella's whereabouts, which was why she'd beefed up security and was prepared to receive him.

Romeu realized immediately that this was the worst possible situation. He decided, then, that the best course was to stick to the plan and only say what he'd come to say — convince Pietra he was willing to marry her, and hope she'd believe it.

Romeu took a deep breath before speaking.

"Well... you made me a marriage proposal... and I turned down your first offer," he said slowly.

"Yes, Romeuzinho, you gave me a huge no," she said, pouting.

That pout would have seduced Romeu in the past, but in that moment, all he could feel for Pietra was contempt and disgust. And she herself had caused that in him.

"Actually, I came here about something very important," Romeu began, choosing his words carefully. "Pietra, I was wrong. I know I hurt you badly when we ended things, and I'm sorry for that. But right now I need your help."

Pietra stared at him silently, with an air of superiority. It was obvious she still hadn't forgiven Romeu for what he'd done, but it was just as obvious she was interested in hearing what he had to say.

"I need to know where Mikaella is," Romeu said finally. "I know you know. And I promise, if you tell me, I'll do everything to make up for what I did to you. Please, Pietra. I need to find Mikaella."

Pietra smiled bitterly.

"I knew it! You son of a bitch! I knew you only wanted information about that tramp."

Pietra lost her composure.

"Do you think I'm an idiot, Romeuzinho?"

Romeu heard every word Pietra screamed and stood frozen in place.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing — how could he ever have gotten involved with a woman like her?

Pietra knew where Mikaella was, but she wasn't going to tell him — out of pure spite.

Pietra's obsession with him had no limits, and she'd be capable of killing Mikaella just so Romeu could never belong to anyone else.

He was devastated, on the verge of losing all hope of finding Mikaella.

Pietra wouldn't reveal the location of the hideout.

Romeu had nothing left to lose.

"I know you know where Mikaella is, Pietra," he said coldly, trying to hide the hatred he felt for her in that moment. "And I know you're going to tell me. Because if you don't, I'll tell everyone what happened between us. I know you don't want that ending up in the press. So tell me where Mikaella is, and I'll do everything I can to protect your image."

Pietra weighed Romeu's words. She really didn't want their relationship coming to light, but she knew she could manipulate him if she needed to.

She would never allow Romeu to find Mikaella and for the two of them to be happy together — but she was an excellent liar.

"Fine," she said at last. "I'll tell you where Mikaella is. But you have to promise me you'll never tell anyone about our past. If you do, I'll destroy your life, Romeu. You'll never be able to see your sweet Mikaella again, your family and friends will despise you, and I'll destroy that little rag you call a publishing house. You're completely under my control, understand?"

Romeu agreed with Pietra, even without liking the idea much. His only concern was Mikaella, and he'd do anything to find her.

Pietra told him Mikaella was in a small town in the countryside. She didn't tell him the name of the town, but Romeu didn't care. He'd catch the first flight out there and begin his search.

Pietra knew the conversation with Romeu wouldn't go far.

She'd tried to win him back and convince him to marry her no matter what, even if someone got hurt in the process.

She wasn't a sentimental woman — she didn't miss love, didn't care who lived or died. Romeu was a whim, was the man she wanted, and she wasn't a woman who accepted no for an answer.

After her husband's death, all she wanted was to indulge every whim she had, and at that moment she was interested in winning back Romeu Petraglia. She simply hadn't imagined he'd be in love with another woman.

Discovering that Mikaella was the daughter of her husband's greatest rival filled Pietra with immense hatred toward her.

Even if Romeu gave in and agreed to marry her, she knew Mikaella couldn't be allowed to go on living — otherwise he'd never be happy at her side.

To give her plan real shape, she'd needed to recruit a partner. Despite being a resourceful woman, she didn't know how to pull off the perfect kidnapping — but her nephew did.

Fercondiny was the son of her late husband's brother. He used to be a simple lawyer, but after his father's suicide, he'd found himself forced to take over Julian's "business" for the family.

Fercondiny had always sworn revenge against the person who had caused his father's ruin.

Dom Aragão — the hypocrite who lived a double life, dressing and speaking like an honest citizen and respectable lawyer, but underneath, a bloodthirsty killer who never gave a second warning.

Rumor had it that Dom Aragão had carried on an affair with Gina Fercondiny, his mother.

Pietra would take advantage of Fercondiny's thirst for revenge to achieve her own desires.

And at that moment, there was only one person at risk.

Mikaella.