Chapter 4 - The Night the Mansion Turned Against HerSecurity increased immediately.
Mara wasn't allowed to leave alone.
Dante assigned Marcus to watch her.
She hated it.
"I don't need a bodyguard."
Marcus looked amused.
"Everyone says that until someone shoots at them."
Dante stood behind him.
"You're not leaving the building alone."
Mara crossed her arms.
"This is my employer speaking?"
"No."
"Then who?"
Dante looked at her.
"Someone worried about you."
She didn't know what to say.
The days became tense.
Sienna became increasingly furious.
At the engagement rehearsal, she deliberately humiliated Mara again.
She handed Mara a tray.
"Stand there."
Mara did.
Guests whispered.
Sienna raised a champagne glass.
"Apparently Dante has developed an interest in our housekeeper."
Someone laughed.
Mara remained silent.
Sienna continued.
"Maybe she'd like to wear the ring."
Dante entered.
"Stop."
Sienna smiled.
"We're joking."
"No."
Dante's voice was cold.
"You're not."
He took Mara's hand.
The room went silent.
Sienna stared.
Dante removed a diamond bracelet from his wrist.
He placed it around Mara's hand.
"This woman has more integrity than everyone in this room combined."
Sienna's face turned white.
Dante looked at the guests.
"Anyone who humiliates her answers to me."
No one laughed again.
Mara whispered:
"You didn't have to."
"I did."
"Why?"
He looked at her.
"Because I should have done it sooner."
That night, Mara found him in the library.
She stood beside the fireplace.
"Why are you protecting me?"
"Because someone is targeting you."
"That's not the whole reason."
He didn't answer.
She stepped closer.
"Dante."
He looked at her.
"I'm tired of people deciding what I'm allowed to know."
He was silent.
Then he said:
"I'm afraid."
Mara blinked.
"Of what?"
"That they'll take you because they know I care."
Her heart stopped.
She whispered:
"You care?"
"More than I should."
She looked down.
"This is a mistake."
"Probably."
"You're engaged."
"Not for long."
"Your family will never accept me."
"My family doesn't decide who I love."
Love.
The word hung between them.
Mara looked at him.
"Dante."
"I know."
He moved closer.
Then stopped.
"I'm not asking you for anything."
She looked at him.
"That's worse."
"Why?"
"Because I don't know what to do when someone wants nothing from me."
He smiled softly.
"Then don't do anything."
They stood there in silence.
Then Mara kissed him.
One brief kiss.
Terrified.
Real.
And when they separated, Dante whispered:
"We're in trouble now."
She smiled.
"We already were."
The next morning, Sienna disappeared.
So did Victor Vale.
And every document connecting them to the financial scheme vanished.
Except one.
Mara had secretly photographed the encrypted files.
She gave them to Dante.
He stared at her.
"You knew to keep a copy."
"I was a paralegal."
He smiled.
"I really should stop underestimating you."
Then the phone rang.
Dante answered.
His expression changed.
"What?"
He listened.
Then:
"Where?"
He hung up.
Mara looked at him.
May you like
"What happened?"
"Your mother is missing."
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