Chapter 60 The gift
The villa had been quiet all afternoon, too quiet.Sienna sat near the window, her phone heavy in her palm.
She read the message again. “Next time, he won’t be fast enough to save you.”
Her pulse skipped. The number was hidden. She deleted it quickly, hands trembling. Her reflection in the glass looked pale and small. She pressed her forehead against the cool pane and whispered to herself, “It’s fine. It’s just a message. Ignore it.”
But the air in the room felt thick, like the walls themselves were holding their breath.
The door creaked open.Dante stepped in,he wore black shirt, sleeves rolled, his expression soft but watchful. The sight of him made her heartbeat jump.
“Hey,” he said quietly, closing the door behind him. “You look like something’s wrong.”
Sienna quickly slipped her phone into her pocket. “No. Nothing’s wrong.”
He tilted his head slightly, studying her face. “You’re a terrible liar, you know.”
She forced a smile. “Maybe I just need sleep.”
Dante took a few steps closer. His voice dropped lower. “Sienna.”
She looked up, meeting his eyes. For a moment, she wanted to tell him about the message, about the fear still clawing at her chest. But she didn’t. He had already been through too much.
So she said softly, “Really, it’s fine.”
He held her gaze a little longer, as if trying to see past her calm mask. Then he exhaled. “Alright. But I’m holding you to that.”
He leaned against the counter, arms folded. “Actually, there’s something else I wanted to tell you.”
Her stomach tightened. “What is it?”
“There’s a charity gala in Monaco this weekend,” he said, tone careful but firm. “And I want you to go with me.”
Sienna blinked. “What?”
“It’s a small thing. Well, not that small. The press will be there. But it’s time.”
She shook her head quickly. “Dante, no. You can’t be serious.”
“I am.”
“After everything that’s happened? Isabelle will twist it into another scandal before dessert is served.”
He smiled faintly that dangerous, defiant smile that used to make headlines. “Let her. Maybe it’s time I stop hiding from her and the rest of the world.”
“People will talk,” she said quietly.
“People always talk,” he countered, stepping closer. “But this time, they’ll talk about the woman who helped me walk again. The woman I.” He stopped himself, voice catching slightly. Then softer, “the woman I choose to stand beside me.”
Sienna’s chest tightened. “You don’t need to prove anything, Dante.”
“I’m not proving anything.” His hand brushed her arm. “I just want you there, beside me.”
She wanted to say yes. God, she wanted to. But the fear crept in again, the kind of fear that came from memory, not imagination. She saw flashes of cameras, cruel headlines, Isabelle’s perfect smile twisting into venom.
“I can’t,” she whispered. “Not this time.”
Dante’s expression shifted to disappointment, quiet but sharp. He leaned in slightly. “You can. And you will.”
Her lips parted in surprise. “You’re ordering me?”
He smiled gently. “No. I’m asking you to trust me.”
That made something inside her soften against her will.
“Alright,” she breathed after a pause. “I’ll think about it.”
He gave a satisfied nod and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “That’s good enough for now.”
Then, almost teasing, “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
The villa fell into stillness again after he left.
Sienna wandered into the kitchen,restless. She pulled ingredients from the fridge not because she was hungry, but because cooking had always been her way of calming the storm inside. The smell of garlic and herbs filled the air, warm and homey.
She hummed softly under her breath, the same old habit she had when she was nervous.
Half an hour later, the front door opened again. Footsteps echoed down the hall.
She turned, wiping her hands on a towel. “Perfect timing. I was just..”
Her words stopped.
Dante stood in the doorway, rain still clinging to his hair, a faint grin on his lips.
One of his hands was hidden behind his back.
“What are you hiding?” she asked, instantly suspicious.
He raised an eyebrow. “Why do you assume I’m hiding something?”
“Because you always have that look when you are.”
He laughed under his breath. “Alright, guilty. But this time, it’s a good secret.”
She crossed her arms. “Define good.”
“You’ll see.” He stepped closer. “Turn around.”
Sienna blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Turn around,” he repeated. “And close your eyes.”
She gave him a look. “You’re being weird.”
“Maybe. But trust me you’ll like this one.”
She sighed, rolling her eyes. “Fine. But if this turns out to be some terrible joke.”
“It won’t be,” he said softly.
When she finally turned, she could feel his breath close behind her. Then, the faintest touch at the base of her neck, cool metal sliding gently across her skin.
Her eyes fluttered open as his voice brushed her ear. “Now, you can look.”
Sienna looked down and froze.
The necklace shimmered under the soft light. Fine gold. A small diamond in the center, delicate as a tear. It wasn’t just beautiful, it was meaningful. She could feel it.
“Dante.” Her voice came out as a whisper. “This is too much. It looks like an antique.”
He smiled quietly. “It was my mother’s.”
Her eyes widened. “Then you shouldn’t have.”
“I should,” he interrupted gently. “I kept it for years. I told myself I’d only give it to someone who reminded me of her. Someone who loved without asking for anything back.”
He touched her chin, guiding her eyes to his. “And that’s you, Sienna.”
The words hit deep. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe.
He smiled faintly, voice trembling a little now. “You deserve it.”
She swallowed hard. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Then don’t,” he said, brushing a stray hair from her cheek. “Just wear it.”
His lips met hers before she could speak again, soft, certain, lingering. It wasn’t rushed or hungry. It was a promise.
She leaned into him without thinking, her hands gripping the front of his shirt as the world outside the villa disappeared.
When he finally pulled back, his eyes held hers warmly.
He reached behind him and brought out a small white bag.
“What’s that?” she asked, still a little dazed.
“Something to go with the necklace,” he said with a small, teasing grin. “Open it.”
She hesitated, fingers brushing the faint metallic ridge of the zipper.
Dante’s gaze didn’t waver. “Go on.”
Sienna slowly unzipped the bag.
Her hands froze halfway inside. Her breath caught. Her eyes widened.
What she saw inside made her take a small, sharp step back, shock flashing across her face.