Chapter 19 Chapter 19

Chapter 19 Chapter 19
Elara’s POV. 

I couldn’t bring myself to do it, murder someone, especially him? And be on the run for the rest of my life? I had a rethink about my actions and instantly placed the scalpel back under my mattress. 

Two days after the pregnancy was confirmed, the heavy oak doors to the east wing opened to admit a girl who looked like she belonged in a sun-drenched cafe, not a mafia fortress.

"I’m Serena," she said, carrying a tray of fresh fruit and a stack of medical journals. She was younger than Isabella, with soft features and a wide, guileless smile. 

"Dante hired me as your companion. He said you were bored and that I was the only Rossi he could still stomach."

I didn't move from my chair. "A Rossi in my bedroom. Dante really is losing his mind."

"I’m the black sheep," Serena laughed, setting the tray down. She tucked a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. "Isabella thinks I’m a brat, and my father thinks I’m useless. Dante figured I was harmless enough to keep you company without plotting a coup."

She sat on the ottoman across from me, her eyes bright. "I heard you were a medical student. That’s incredible. I wanted to study art, but, well... family business."

For the first hour, she was a breath of fresh air. She talked about the city, about books, and about how much she hated the heavy, suffocating traditions of the Syndicate. She seemed like the only neutral person I had met in months.

By the third day, the ‘neutrality’ started to slip.

"You know," Serena whispered, leaning in as if checking for bugs. "Isabella is terrified of you now. She thinks you’re going to have her exiled once the baby is born. She’s been talking to Marcus about a way to 'neutralize' your influence."

"I don't care what Isabella thinks," I said.

"You should," Serena insisted. "She’s planning to tell Dante that the baby isn't his. She says she has proof you were seeing someone else, someone from your university before the contract started."

My heart skipped. "That’s a lie."

"I know it is," Serena said, grabbing my hand. "That’s why I want to help you. If you give me the names of your old friends, I can reach out to them. We can get statements, alibis, anything to prove her wrong before she goes to Dante."

I looked into her eyes. They were clear, blue, and seemingly honest. But I wasn't falling for her bullshit. 

"I don't have any friends, Serena," I said, pulling my hand away. "Just the books."

During dinner, I was allowed in the main dining room under the watch of four guards. Dante was at the head of the table, his eyes fixed on a file Marcus had handed him. Isabella sat at the opposite end, looking strangely satisfied.

"Elara," Dante said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "Who is Christian?"

I froze. 

Christian was my anatomy lab partner. I hadn't thought of him in months. "He was a classmate. Why?"

Dante threw a stack of photos onto the table. They were grainy, long-lens shots of me and Christian sitting in the university library a year ago. But there were newer ones, photoshopped images of Christian standing near the Moretti estate gates just last week.

"Serena tells me you asked her to contact him," Isabella said. "That you wanted him to help you 'escape the monster.' That you told her he was the real father."

I looked at Serena. She was huddled in her chair, pretending to cry. "I'm sorry, Elara! I had to tell them! I couldn't keep a secret like that from Dante!"

"I never said that!" I shouted, standing up. "Dante, she’s lying! I haven't spoken to Christian since the day I signed the contract!"

"Then explain this," Dante said, pulling a burner phone out of his pocket, not mine, but one found in Serena’s bag. "Outgoing texts to Christian’s number. Sent from this wing. Details about the security rotations, about your 'medication.'"

"She sent those!" I pointed at Serena. "She’s a spy, Dante! She’s Isabella’s cousin!"

"She’s a Rossi who was under my protection!" Dante roared, slamming his fist onto the table. "I let her in to help you, and you used her to coordinate with a lover?"

"I don't have a lover!" I screamed. "Look at the dates, Dante! Look at the timestamps! She’s framing me so Isabella can get back in your good graces!"

Isabella leaned forward. "Dante, the stress isn't good for the child. Perhaps we should conduct a prenatal DNA test? Just to be sure the Moretti name isn't being used to shield a bastard."

Dante looked at me, and I saw real, unadulterated hatred. If there was even a one-percent doubt that the child was his, I was dead.

"The test will happen tomorrow," Dante said, his voice dead. "And until then, Serena will stay in the west wing. Elara, you will be moved to the basement suite."

"Dante, please!"

"Take her," he ordered the guards.

As they grabbed my arms, I looked at Serena. She wiped her fake tears and gave me a wink. 

I was dragged down the stone stairs into the cold, and dark. The door slammed, the iron bolt locking it down. 

I sat in the dark, my hands over my stomach. 

I realized then that there were no allies. 

Not Lorenzo, not Marcus, and certainly not the ‘sweet’ girl who had just handed me my death warrant. 

I had to stop waiting for someone to save me. I had to become the monster they all thought I was.

I was done playing nice.