Chapter 103 The missing necklace
The next morning came too fast.
Dante barely slept. His eyes still burned with exhaustion, but he forced himself up when Isabelle barged into his room, acting like nothing had happened the previous night.
“Come on,” she said sharply. “We’re late.”
He ignored her tone and followed her downstairs.
The moment he stepped out of the villa, he felt disconnected like he was moving without wanting to move. Like his body walked ahead while his mind stayed behind, replaying Sienna’s screams in his imagination.
He hated himself for even being here.
But he went anyway.
They arrived at the studio. The wedding dress designer’s studio was bright and polished, the kind of place Isabelle loved. There were soft carpets, gold frames, and mirrors everywhere.
Isabelle walked like a queen entering her palace.
Dante walked like a prisoner.
As soon as they stepped in, the designer’s assistant looked at Dante curiously. He whispered to his boss, and Dante didn’t care enough to hide the fact that he wasn’t excited.
He didn’t smile. He didn’t pretend. He didn’t even greet properly.
Isabelle shot him warning glances every few seconds.
The designer presented sketches and fabric samples. “Mr. Varon, what do you think of this style?”
Dante shrugged. “Looks fine.”
The assistant blinked. “That’s all you have to say for your own wedding?”
Isabelle quickly forced a laugh. “He’s just tired. He's a busy man, I had to drag him here.”
But the assistant didn’t look convinced.
Dante remained silent, arms crossed, eyes unfocused.
Isabelle kept trying to save the situation, talking too much, laughing too loudly, pretending everything was perfect but the more she tried, the more obvious it became.
She cared about the show. Dante didn’t care at all.
He didn’t hide it. He didn’t want to.
When Isabelle was satisfied they finally left the studio. As they stepped outside, Isabelle grabbed his arm, dragging him away from the door before exploding.
“Why are you bent on making me a laughingstock?” she hissed.
Dante didn’t even hesitate.
“You made yourself a laughingstock,” he said quietly. “I’m only helping you settle into your new title.”
The air froze.
Isabelle’s mouth dropped open.
Her anger twisted her face into something ugly, something Dante once overlooked, but now saw clearly.
Before she could scream, Dante’s phone buzzed.
He checked it.
Luca: “Meet me at the pawnshop near Rue Marcel. Come alone.”
Dante didn’t waste time.
He turned and walked toward the car.
“Dante!” Isabelle rushed behind him, heels clacking angrily. “Where are you going?! I’m not done talking!”
She reached the car and grabbed the handle, but it was locked.
Dante didn’t even look at her. “Get a cab back home. I’m going somewhere important.”
“Important?” she snapped. “More important than me?”
He finally glanced at her, expression empty. “Everything is more important than you.”
Her face fell.
Before she could speak, he started the engine and drove off, leaving her speechless on the sidewalk.
Dante was thinking about what he was going to do at a pawnshop and how it would help them track Sienna's location.
The pawnshop sat between two dull buildings, the kind of place nobody noticed unless they needed to.
Dante walked in and found Luca already there, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the room like he was waiting for something big.
“What are we doing here?” Dante asked.
Luca didn’t answer immediately. “Just, stay calm. And follow me.”
They walked past shelves of old watches, dusty silverware, outdated phones, and miscellaneous jewelry.
Dante wasn’t expecting to feel anything.
But then something on the display shelf caught his eye.
He froze.
His heart stopped for a second.
He stepped closer, his fingers shaking.
A necklace made with white gold, blue sapphire stone. It was simple, elegant, and
unique.
His mother’s.
The one he had given to Sienna.
The one she sold because she needed money.
Because she had no choice.
Luca stepped beside him. “You like it?”
Dante didn’t look away from the necklace. His voice was low. “This… this belongs to my mother. And.” He swallowed hard. “This is the necklace I gave Sienna. The one she sold.”
Luca chuckled lightly, not mocking, just amused in a dark way. “She didn’t sell it.”
Dante slowly turned to him.
“What?”
“Sienna never came here,” Luca said simply.
Dante blinked.
“What do you mean she never?”
“This pawnshop has cameras everywhere,” Luca said. “I asked for footage.” He shrugged. “Just being cautious.”
Dante frowned. “So who brought the necklace?”
Luca smiled slightly, like the answer was obvious. Luca pulled out his phone.
“Here,” he said calmly. “Watch this.”
He sent Dante a short video.
Dante opened it.
The footage played.
A woman wearing a dark hoodie walked into the pawnshop. Her head was low, but the walk was familiar.
She handed something to the pawnshop owner.
A few minutes later, she walked out with a slight smile.
Dante felt his chest tighten painfully.
Luca spoke quietly. “Recognize her?”
Dante watched again.
And again.
And again.
The hoodie hid her hair, her face but not her body language. Not her walk. Not her arrogance.
Dante’s throat went dry.
“That’s… Isabelle,” he whispered.
“Exactly.” Luca nodded. “That’s how your mother’s necklace ended up here.”
Dante replayed the clip one more time.
His mind replayed Sienna’s voice from months ago.
“I left the necklace with a note in my room, I never sold it.”
He didn’t believe her then. He accused her of lying. He had hurt her.
But it was Isabelle.
Isabelle did it. Isabelle planted the necklace here. Isabelle lied.
His breathing grew faster.
“She told me the truth.” Dante whispered. “But I didn't listen to her.”
Guilt hit him hard. So hard he felt dizzy.
He pressed his hand over his forehead, trying to breathe.
Sienna had told the truth. And he didn’t believe her.
Isabelle lied. And he trusted her.
Luca watched him carefully. “Dante, this is just one piece. There’s more. I’m sure of it.”
Dante felt sick.
Everything he thought he knew about the night Sienna left. Everything he assumed.
Everything he blamed her for.
It all felt wrong now. So wrong.
He replayed the clip again.
Isabelle enters with the necklace, then a few minutes later Isabelle walks out of the pawnshop smiling. Isabelle actually tried to set up Sienna. Isabelle ruining Sienna’s life. Isabelle manipulating him.
Why? Why would she?
The answer came quickly and painfully.
Because she wanted him. Because she wanted him to hate Sienna. Because she wanted him to marry her. Because she wanted to destroy Sienna’s reputation.
And he fell for it.
He let her win.
He clenched the necklace so tightly the chain dug into his palm.
Luca placed a hand on his shoulder. “Dante… we’re running out of time. We need to find her.”
Dante nodded, breathing heavily.
He had to fix this. He had to save her.
He had to bring her home. Before it was too late.
His phone buzzed.
A message from Isabelle.
“Where are you? Call me now.”
Dante stared at the message.
And for the first time, instead of guilt…
Instead of confusion. He felt something sharp and clear inside him.
Anger. Cold, controlled anger.
He looked up at Luca.
“We’re not telling her anything,” Dante said. “Not a word.”
Luca nodded. “I wasn’t planning to.” Luca removed the necklace from the display shelf and slid it into his pocket.
Luca, let's get it the legal way.” Dante said instantly.
Luca looked at him, “How?”
“We're Varons, let's not act like robbers.” Dante replied, he removed the necklace from Luca's pocket. “We'll speak with the owner of the shop.”