Chapter 43: Chapter 42

As soon as the gate opened, the car moved up the driveway. I stepped out right behind Enzo, who gave a brief wave goodbye. The place was silent. Too silent. Not that I disliked silence — I had always cherished it as my refuge — but ever since I brought her here, it had disappeared.

Now that the silence had returned, there was only one certainty: something was wrong.

I climbed the steps slowly, alert, and opened the door. My hand stayed firm on the handle for a few seconds as my eyes scanned the dark room. I closed the door behind me, took off my jacket, and walked into the living room. Nothing. I frowned and looked toward the stairs. Had she gone to bed early?

I was about to go up when a low sound — almost a whisper — came from the kitchen.

I approached in silent steps, and then I saw her.

Chloe was sitting on the counter, legs swinging lazily, wearing a short nightgown that left little to the imagination. She held a wine bottle in her hands, her hair loose and messy over her shoulders. In the dim light, the scene was a forbidden invitation. I tried to contain it, but a short smile escaped before I turned on the light.

"Awake at this hour?" My voice broke the silence.

She lifted her gaze to me, her eyes hazy, heavy with alcohol.

"I... couldn’t sleep." Her voice came out slurred, followed by a small hiccup. "I made cake... to celebrate your birthday."

She pointed to a slice of chocolate cake on the table. Chocolate — the one sweet I’d always hated.

I walked over, picked up the spoon, and took a bite.

"I... ate the rest," she said, laughing to herself, words stumbling, then took another generous sip from the bottle.

I bit back a laugh as I chewed the cake. It was far from something I liked, but there, that night, chocolate took on another flavor. Maybe, from now on, I might even learn to enjoy it.

I set the spoon aside and walked up to her. I gently took the bottle from her hands, my fingers brushing against hers.

"The cake is good."

She smiled, goofy and unsteady. "Really?"

"Yes." I leaned in closer to her face. "But now it’s time for bed, before you finish off all my wine."

I slid my arm beneath her legs and lifted her into my arms. Her body was warm against mine, her breath heavy with alcohol. Chloe instinctively wrapped her legs around my waist, holding me closer.

"I hate being locked up here, you know?" she mumbled, her voice dragging. "Sometimes I think... if I hadn’t gone down that alley, I wouldn’t be here now..."

Her words came out broken, scattered with little giggles and senseless questions. I only listened in silence, carrying her up the stairs until I opened the bedroom door. I laid her gently on the bed, adjusting the pillows behind her head.

"Good night." My voice came out low, almost a whisper.

I straightened up to leave, but felt her fragile fingers holding my hand. Her eyes met mine — blurry, but steady.

"Stay..."

"I don’t think that’s..." I began, but she interrupted.

"Stay, please." The plea came with a firmer grip on my hand.

I took a deep breath, my jaw tightening. I leaned closer, feeling the sweet, heavy scent of wine escaping her lips. "If I stay... I’ll end up doing things I shouldn’t."

"I don’t care." Her eyes gleamed with defiance, even clouded by drunkenness.

I lowered my gaze to her parted lips, fighting the impulse. "You’re too drunk to think straight."

"Dominic..." she whispered my name like a prayer, her fingers sliding along my wrist, pulling me even closer.

I leaned forward, the weight of the choice pressing down on my shoulders.

"Are you sure about this?" My voice came out rough, almost breaking.

"Yes." Her answer was immediate, firm, despite the haze of alcohol.

A slow, dark smile curved my lips. "Good. Because once I start... I won’t stop."

I leaned in closer to her, my knee sinking into the mattress as it gave beneath our weight. My eyes traced every line of her face, stopping at the curve of her parted lips. A few strands of my hair fell over my forehead; our breaths mingled in the space between us.

My thumb brushed along her lower lip, parting it further, drawing a soft sigh from her.

(Ho aspettato a lungo questo momento, il momento in cui finalmente diventerai mia.)"I’ve waited a long time for this moment — the moment when you’ll finally become mine..." My voice came out hoarse with restrained desire. I leaned even closer, feeling the heat of her breath against my mouth. "I’ve wanted you for a long time, my dear."