Chapter 185

Chapter 185
The words hung between us, heavy with possibility. Salvatore's eyes held mine, unwavering, as he waited for my answer. His proposal to run away together, to escape everything, tugged at something deep inside me.

"We could leave this place," he repeated, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Go somewhere no one knows us. Start fresh."

For one beautiful moment, I let myself imagine it. No family obligations, no bloody histories, no secrets separating us. Just Salvatore and me, building something real away from all this madness.

Then reality crashed back. Franco was systematically destroying the Vasquez family from within. If I left with Salvatore now, there would be nothing to stop Franco from taking everything.

"No!" I said, stepping back. "I can't. I can't be that selfish."

Confusion flickered across his face. "Selfish? Beatrice, this is about us—"

"There is no 'us' right now," I said, the words burning my throat. "I have too many things to deal with. I'm not ready to start anything with anyone."

His jaw tightened. "This is about Franco, isn't it?"

"No," I answered honestly. If only he knew. If only I could tell him that I was a Rossi—the enemy his family had hunted for years. That my very existence in his world was built on lies. "This is about me."

Disappointment darkened his eyes. "I thought—"

"I need to go," I cut him off, unable to bear the hurt in his expression. I turned and hurried to the door, desperate to escape before I changed my mind.

I rushed down the hallway and descended the grand staircase, my mind racing. What was I doing? Salvatore was offering me exactly what I'd always wanted—someone who cared about me, who wanted me despite everything. And I'd walked away.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I spotted Franco and Maria entering the main living room. Maria's expression was downcast, her shoulders slumped despite her expensive pink Versace dress. Franco walked slightly ahead of her, his back rigid with obvious irritation.

I slowed my pace, curiosity overriding my desire to escape. Something was happening between them—something I could use. I moved closer to the doorway, keeping myself partially hidden behind one of the ornate columns.

"I told you not to talk to him," Franco snapped, turning to face Maria once they were inside.

Maria looked up, her mascara slightly smudged. "He's not our enemy. We used to be friends before all this."

"And he's your ex-boyfriend," Franco cut in, his voice sharp as glass. "Do you think I don't see how you look at him?"

Maria's spine straightened. "That's rich coming from you. Don't pretend you're not still hung up on Beatrice."

My breath caught. They were talking about Salvatore and me.

Franco's laugh was cold. "She's my childhood friend. It's different."

"Don't tell me you're planning to take things further with her," Maria challenged, crossing her arms.

"What if I am?" Franco stepped closer to her, his voice dropping to a dangerous level. "Maybe I'll cancel this whole engagement if you can't show me the respect I deserve."

Maria's face paled. Her hands dropped to her sides, her defiance evaporating instantly. "I'm sorry. You're right. I won't talk to Salvatore again."

Franco studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Good. I need to check the sound system in the ballroom. Go to the garden and make sure everything's set up correctly there."

I pressed myself against the wall as Maria walked past, not wanting her to see me. Once she was gone, I watched Franco head toward the grand staircase. Instead of going up the main stairs, he took a smaller service staircase that led to the upper floors.

I knew exactly where he was going. The empty room at the top of the house had been converted to store sound equipment for big events. Without thinking twice, I followed him, keeping a safe distance.

When I reached the door of the empty room, I saw Franco inside, examining some speakers. I slipped in behind him and quietly locked the door.

Franco spun around at the sound of the lock clicking. "Beatrice!" His surprise was evident. "What are you doing here?"

I forced my face into a mask of sadness. "I came to see you."

His expression shifted from surprise to smug satisfaction. "Upset about my big engagement, are you?"

I let my eyes drop to the floor. "How could I be happy? We almost became something, you and I."

Franco scoffed. "You had your chance. You chose to humiliate me instead."

"That was a mistake," I said, stepping closer. "I didn't understand what I was giving up."

His eyes narrowed, skepticism warring with ego. "And what about Matteo?"

I shook my head, the lie coming easily. "Matteo rejected me. He's moved on. Everyone has." I looked up at him through my lashes. "Except you, it seems."

Franco's breath caught slightly. Good. He was buying it.

"You know," he said, leaning against the speaker, "I was going to take you back. After all the shit you put me through, I was actually considering it."

"What changed?" I asked, moving closer.

"You pissed me off," he said bluntly. "So I decided to go with Plan B instead."

"Maria," I said.

He nodded. "Her father owns substantial shares in businesses Dante controls. When I marry her, those shares become mine." His smile was cold. "Another step toward claiming what should have been mine all along."

"You already have Enzo's territory," I said carefully. "Why do you need Dante's business too?"

Franco shrugged. "Because I can take it."

Before he could say more, his phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen: "Victoria Calling."

I reached out and grabbed his wrist before he could answer. "Don't," I said softly.

Franco's eyes darkened as he looked at my hand on his wrist, then up at my face. Understanding—or what he thought was understanding—dawned in his expression.

"You want me, don't you?" he asked, voice dropping an octave.

I swallowed hard and nodded, hating myself but knowing this was necessary. His lips curved into a victorious smile.