Chapter 4

Valentina took me to the most exclusive bridal boutique in Rome.

As the future mistress of the Romano family, of course her wedding gown would be custom-made.

"You." She pointed at me. "Kneel here and arrange my train."

I knelt in silence, my knees hitting the marble floor, pain shooting through my entire body.

She tried on gown after gown, making me kneel to adjust each one.

"This one makes my waist look too thick." She turned in front of the mirror. "Next."

"Yes."

"Wait." She suddenly looked down at me. "Your hand is in the way of my hem."

I started to move my hand, but she brought her heel down first.

A five-inch stiletto, driving straight into my fingers.

"Ah—"

The searing pain wrenched a scream from me. My vision went black.

"What are you screaming for?" She pressed down harder. "You're just a servant. Can't even handle a little pain?"

I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood.

I couldn't scream.

If this turned into a scene, I wouldn't be able to leave today.

Just a little longer...

"Valentina."

A deep voice cut through.

I looked up. Vincent stood nearby, a coffee cup in his hand, his expression impassive.

"Vincent!" Valentina immediately lifted her foot and switched to a sweet smile. "What are you doing here?"

"Just passing by. Thought I'd look in." His gaze swept over me, betraying nothing. "Servant giving you trouble?"

"God, yes." Valentina clung to his arm petulantly. "She's so clumsy. She's driving me crazy."

"Do whatever you want with her." His tone was flat.

I lowered my head, nails digging into my palms.

It didn't matter.

After today, I would never see him again.

On the way back, Valentina made me walk behind her while she clung to Vincent's arm up ahead.

At a turn in the staircase, she stopped abruptly and glanced back at me.

In that glance was something gloating and vicious.

The next second, she screamed and tumbled down the stairs.

"Ah—!"

"Valentina!" Vincent rushed down to catch her.

She lay on the ground, blood streaming from her forehead, pointing weakly at me. "It was her... she pushed me..."

"I didn't!" The words burst out of me.

But no one listened.

Guards surrounded me in an instant and forced me to the ground.

Valentina was rushed to the Romano family's private hospital. The doctor said her injuries were serious—she needed a blood transfusion immediately.

But her blood type was extremely rare. Only one match could be found in the entire city—

Me.

"Sign this."

Vincent tossed a form and a check at my feet, his voice like ice.

"Save her, and this ten million dollars is yours."

I looked at the check, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.

"I have one condition."

He frowned. "What?"

"After I give blood, you let me go." I raised my head and met his eyes. "And you never come looking for me."

He was silent for a few seconds, then let out a cold laugh.

"Deal."

I was taken to the blood draw room.

The doctor took one look at my condition and hesitated. "She's too weak. She can't give this much blood."

"Do it." Vincent's voice came from outside the door. "Take as much as you need."

"But we need a thousand cc's," the doctor protested. "Taking that much from her alone could kill her!"

"Do it." Vincent's voice didn't waver.

I looked at the hesitant doctor and gave him a firm nod.

I couldn't put all my hopes on Lorenzo. If something went wrong on his end—

Then this blood draw was my best chance to get out.

The needle pierced my vein. Blood flowed slowly into the collection bag.

I watched the liquid that represented my life drain away, drop by drop, as darkness crept into my vision.

When it was over, I could barely stand.

But I braced myself against the wall and made my way out of the hospital, one step at a time.

Vincent stood vigil outside Valentina's operating room. He never once looked back at me.

Good.

This was better.

Within minutes, I got Lorenzo's call. He would pick me up at the back entrance of the hospital.

I stumbled toward the rear exit.

Just as I was climbing into the car—

Bang—

A deafening crash came from behind me.

I turned. Vincent lay on the road a short distance away, a truck roaring past him.

Blood ran from his forehead, but his eyes were locked on me. He was struggling to reach toward me.

"Bella..."

I went rigid.

Bella.

That was his nickname for me before he lost his memory.

His gaze was no longer cold. It held something familiar—that searing, manic intensity.

That same look that used to suffocate me.

His memory was back.

I stood motionless, watching him drag himself toward me, my name spilling from his lips over and over.

"Bella... don't go... don't leave me..."

I took a deep breath, turned, and got in the car.

"Drive."

Lorenzo hit the gas. The car tore away from the hospital.

I didn't look back.

Not because I didn't dare.

Because I didn't want to.

He'd left me shivering in a frozen cell. Starved me in solitary. Let Valentina crush my fingers. Had doctors drain my blood.

Now his memory was back, and he thought one "Bella" would make me turn around?

Make me go back to the hell he'd created?

Dream on.

The moment the plane lifted off, I finally escaped the Romano family's cage.

Through the cabin window, Rome's lights shrank smaller and smaller until they disappeared beneath the clouds.

I closed my eyes, a cold smile forming on my lips.

When I returned to the Lucchese family...

Antonio, Maria, Sophia, Valentina...

And you, Vincent Romano.

Blood would be repaid with blood.

None of you would escape.