Chapter2

Standing before that familiar iron gate of the Romano estate, my whole body trembled.

I was back. I'd crawled back from that blood-soaked hell, back to the place that had once—at least once—been my only shelter.

The iron gate slowly opened, lights stabbing my eyes.

"Scarlett?" The guard nearly dropped his gun. "God! Quick! Someone notify Mr. Dominic!"

The warm air made my frozen wounds start burning, but I didn't care.

My eyes locked on the staircase entrance, heart pounding so hard it might break through my chest.

How would he react?

Would he rush over like before, hold me tight, check if I was missing any pieces?

Or would his eyes turn red as he called me a fool in a low voice, then carry me to a room to treat my wounds?

Even if he'd just tried to kill me,

Even if he was marrying someone else,

As long as he'd still hold me once, as long as he'd tell me personally that he didn't sabotage that gun...

I'd believe him. I still wanted to believe him.

Footsteps finally sounded.

Dominic descended the stairs in a deep gray silk robe, holding a glass of red wine, moving with deliberate leisure.

His hair was somewhat disheveled, like he'd just gotten out of bed. That handsome face looked somewhat pale under the lights.

"Scarlett." He called my name, voice low, betraying no emotion.

I opened my cracked lips, throat feeling stuffed with fire: "Boss..."

The next second, his wine glass shattered violently at my feet.

Glass shards splashed onto my calves, opening a bloody gash, but I didn't even blink.

"Tell me, how did you make it back alive?" He looked down at me, eyes cold as if viewing a corpse. "Mission failed, captured—by rights you should already be a corpse. Why are you still alive?"

My heart plummeted, as if pierced by those flying glass shards.

Not an embrace. Not concern.

Interrogation.

"Boss, let me explain," I stepped forward urgently, the old injury on my knee making me stumble, but I steadied myself. "It was Viktor... he deliberately let me come back. He said... he said this was a gift for you. He's just trying to create discord between us, he wants us to..."

"Enough." Dominic cut me off coldly, turning his back to me. "Scarlett, you know the family rules. Only dead people don't leak secrets. You came back alive, which means you're under suspicion."

"I didn't!" I nearly shouted, voice terrifyingly hoarse. "Don't you know my heart? I'd rather die than betray you!"

"That gun... someone tampered with the trigger, but I believe it wasn't you who did it, right?"

Those last words came out soft, carrying a final trace of humble pleading.

He fell silent.

In that moment, the hall became terrifyingly quiet. I stared at his back, even holding my breath.

As long as he turned around, as long as he'd look at me once, I'd give him my life.

But he didn't.

"I don't want to see any accidents." He finally spoke, voice as detached as reading a verdict. "Until the internal investigation concludes, all your privileges are suspended. Without my permission, you're not to leave the estate grounds."

With that, he accepted a fresh wine glass from a servant, turning to head upstairs.

"Congratulations on making it back alive, Scarlett." He stopped at the stair landing, suddenly pausing without turning back. "But that's all there is to it."

I froze in place, the surrounding air seeming to solidify.

Just then, the door on the other side of the hall opened. Several servants carried in massive flower arrangements.

"Put these white roses along both sides of the corridor," the butler directed, voice filled with joy. "And those champagne-colored ribbons, tie them beautifully—these are for Mr. Dominic and Miss Anastasia's engagement party."

My gaze fell on those massive flower arrangements.

Pure white roses—Anastasia's favorite flowers.

So it wasn't fake.

The man I'd risked my life to protect was preparing to marry another woman. And I, the "pawn" who'd just crawled back from hell, didn't even have the right to stand beside him anymore.

I watched those busy servants, suddenly feeling the wounds on my body didn't hurt at all.

What hurt was my heart.

But I couldn't fall.

I bit down hard, nails digging deep into my palms until blood flowed.