Chapter 89 A little word
The moment Dante turned, he saw Isabelle standing only a step away from him. Her smile was soft, sweet and fake. He felt it instantly, that deliberate sweetness she always put on when she sensed something she didn’t like.
“Who were you talking to?” she asked quietly.
Dante didn’t blink. “Oh, that's a female engineer,” he said. “She came over to say hello.”
He felt the lie crawl up his throat. He hated how easily it slipped out, how natural it had become to hide things from her. But Sienna was already gone from sight, melting into the crowd below the bleachers.
Isabelle’s eyes flicked toward the empty space beside him, then back to his face. For a second, he saw suspicion. Then she smiled again, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder.
“How did you find me?” He asked, trying to change the topic.
“I thought you’d be here,” she said. “So I came to check.”
Her voice was gentle, but it carried that same tone she always used when she wanted control, sweet enough to sound caring, sharp enough to remind him she was watching.
Dante forced a nod. “I just needed air.”
“Oh, I know.” She linked her arm through his without asking. “Your father’s been calling. You’re not answering. I came to tell you he needs you at the company before noon.”
Dante’s jaw tightened. “I heard the phone ring.”
“And you ignored it,” she replied with a small laugh. “As usual.”
He didn’t respond. She tugged at him lightly, and he followed, even though his muscles felt tight and his chest still hurt from the fight with Sienna.
He could still see Sienna’s tear-streaked face in his mind. He could still hear her voice, the questions echoed in his head and he could remember the pain on her face.
“Did you ever love me? Was everything just a game to you?”
These questions echoed loudly in his head. He swallowed hard and tried to push the memory down but it clung to him.
Isabelle noticed the tension in his jaw and squeezed his arm a little tighter, as if reminding him she was the one at his side now.
They left the stadium together. Isabelle lifted her chin with a proud smile, waving at people who looked their way as if she were already the queen of his world.
They arrived at Varon Motors office complex in Monaco.The building towered above the city like a piece of glass and steel authority.
When Dante and Isabelle stepped inside, hand in hand, the receptionists stood straighter. The board members nodded as they walked past. Everyone treated Isabelle like she already belonged there.
She acted like she did too.
Her smile widened when she noticed the looks, the respect, the whispers, the curious glances. She leaned closer to Dante.
“See?” she murmured. “It’s good for us to be seen together. Strong and united.”
Dante didn’t answer. He didn’t feel strong.
He felt tired, his heart felt conflicted. Like something inside him was splitting in half.
As they reached the executive floor, the elevator door slid open.
Luca was already there, waiting.
He stood with his hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. But Dante knew his brother well and he saw the tension in Luca’s eyes immediately.
Luca’s gaze dropped to their joined hands.
He said nothing at first. Then he smiled, slow and sharp.
“Good to see you,” he said. “Both of you together.”
Isabelle stiffened.
Dante felt her tug at his hand, but Luca stepped forward before she could say anything.
“Isabelle,” he said with a polite, forced smile, “could you excuse us? I need to speak to my brother.”
Her eyes narrowed. “We’re busy.”
Luca didn’t move. “It’s important.”
Isabelle looked at Dante, clearly expecting him to refuse. That was her thing, always expecting him to choose her.
But Dante, exhausted and frustrated, simply exhaled and said, “Give us a minute.”
Isabelle’s fake smile faltered for half a second, irritation flickering behind her eyes but she quickly masked it.
“Of course,” she said sweetly. “I’ll wait in your office.”
She kissed Dante’s cheek slow enough for Luca to see, loud enough to make a point and walked away.
When she turned the corner, her expression darkened instantly.
Luca and Dante stood facing each other, the glass windows behind them reflecting two men from the same family but walking opposite roads.
Luca didn’t waste time.
“Are you comfortable with this?” he asked quietly.
Dante frowned. “With what?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Luca stepped closer. “Your engagement to Isabelle. Your coldness toward Sienna. The fact that you didn’t even blink when they took her license away.”
Dante felt something pinch inside his chest. “This is none of your business.”
Luca laughed. “She lost everything, Dante. Everything. And you can’t even look guilty.”
Dante’s jaw tightened. “Don’t start.”
“No,” Luca said sharply. “I will. Because someone in this family has to tell the truth. And it clearly won’t be you.”
Dante felt heat rising behind his eyes. “You don’t understand what happened.”
“I understand enough.” Luca folded his arms. “You’re acting just like him.”
Dante froze. “Like who?”
“Like Father.”
The word hit like a slap.
Luca pushed on. “Blind, stubborn, and obsessed with image. Ready to throw away the person who genuinely loves you for power, for status, and for convenience.”
Dante’s hands curled into fists. “You’re out of line.”
“No. I’m finally in line,” Luca shot back. “Sienna loved you. And you didn’t even fight for her.”
“Loved,” Dante repeated softly, bitterly. “Past tense. You see that’s in the past.”
Luca stepped closer. “She still does.”
“Stop,” Dante said, voice cracking.
Luca stared at him. “You think I don’t see it? You think I don’t notice the way you look every time someone mentions her name? You still love her, Dante.”
Dante’s chest twisted painfully. A memory flashed, Sienna’s trembling voice at the stadium.
Did you ever love me? Or was everything a game? While you were in someone else’s arms, I was losing everything.
He swallowed hard. “It doesn’t matter,” he whispered.
Luca shook his head slowly. “It does. Because you’re lying to everyone including yourself.”
Dante opened his mouth to argue, to deny it, but the words died on his tongue.
His throat hurt. His heart hurt.
Because even if he tried not to admit it, Luca was right.
Sienna still lived inside him like a wound that refused to heal.
But he forced the feeling down, burying it where he kept everything else he didn’t want to face.
“I’ve made my choice,” Dante said bitterly. “I’m engaged. And Isabelle is my future.”
Luca stared at him, disappointment shining in his eyes. “You’re choosing a lie.”
Dante tensed. “I’m choosing what’s safe.”
“No,” Luca whispered. “You’re choosing what Father wants.”
Dante snapped, “Stop dragging him into this.”
Luca shook his head. “Sienna’s license is gone because of you and father. She’s suffering because of him. And you’re standing with the people who ruined her.”
Dante stepped back as if struck. “Enough, Luca.”
“No,” Luca repeated. “Because this? This isn’t you. This version of you, the cold one isn’t the man Sienna loved. This isn't the man your mother raised.”
Dante’s voice rose. “Stop saying her name!”
They both fell silent.
Dante took a shaky breath, turning slightly away.
Luca watched him carefully.
“Just ask yourself one thing,” he said softly. “If Sienna was lying about everything, why does she still look at you like you’re the only person who can break her that deeply?”
Dante’s eyes burned. “Get out.”
Luca sighed, not angry this time, but tired.
He took a step back, about to speak again when
Footsteps approached. It was fast and sharp, echoing down the hallway.
Both brothers turned their heads toward the sound.
Someone was coming.
Someone who had probably heard more than they should. Someone who wasn’t supposed to be there.
The air shifted. The tension spiked.
Luca’s expression changed instantly, cautious, and alert.
Dante felt his pulse jump.
The footsteps grew louder.