A DANGEROUS VOW

EPISODE 8 — THE RULES OF THE HOUSE

Morning came quietly to the Romano mansion.

Bianca woke to sunlight slipping through the curtains.

For a moment, she forgot she was married.

Then she turned her head.

Lorenzo was already gone.

His side of the bed was untouched.

She sat up and looked around the enormous bedroom.

The marriage had barely been official for one day, yet the mansion already felt different.

Not because Lorenzo had changed.

Because everyone else had.

Every servant now greeted her differently.

The guards opened doors for her.

People lowered their heads when she passed.

Donna Romano.

The title still sounded strange.

Bianca got out of bed and dressed before heading downstairs.

As she entered the dining room, Alessandro looked up.

"There she is."

Bianca smiled.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, my dear."

She sat beside him.

Elena placed a cup of tea in front of her.

"How did you sleep?"

"Surprisingly well."

Alessandro laughed.

"Good. I was worried you might run away."

Bianca smiled.

"I signed a contract, not a prison sentence."

Alessandro's smile widened.

"I like your spirit."

Before Bianca could respond, Lorenzo entered.

Everyone became slightly quieter.

He walked to his usual seat.

Alessandro looked at him.

"You're late."

"I had work."

"You got married yesterday."

"I still have a business."

Alessandro shook his head.

"At least eat breakfast with your wife."

Lorenzo glanced at Bianca.

She shrugged.

"Don't look at me. I'm innocent."

Lorenzo sat.

For a few minutes, they ate quietly.

Then Bianca's phone rang.

She immediately answered.

"Hello?"

Her expression changed.

"Really?"

Lorenzo looked at her.

Bianca stood.

"Thank you. Yes, I'll come immediately."

She ended the call.

"My mother is awake."

Alessandro smiled.

"That's wonderful."

Bianca looked at Lorenzo.

"Can we go to the hospital?"

Lorenzo was already standing.

"Yes."

---

THE HOSPITAL

Bianca rushed into her mother's room.

"Mom!"

Sofia slowly opened her eyes.

"Bianca?"

Bianca grabbed her hand.

"I'm here."

Sofia smiled weakly.

"You look different."

Bianca laughed through her tears.

"I got married."

Her mother's eyes widened.

"What?"

Bianca froze.

She had forgotten.

Her mother knew nothing about the circumstances.

She forced a smile.

"It happened quickly."

Sofia looked past her.

Lorenzo stood near the doorway.

Her eyes moved between them.

"And this is...?"

Bianca turned.

"My husband."

Lorenzo stepped forward.

"Lorenzo Romano."

Sofia smiled faintly.

"Come closer."

Lorenzo obeyed.

Sofia studied him.

"You took care of my daughter."

Lorenzo glanced at Bianca.

"She's my wife."

Sofia smiled.

"Then take good care of her."

Lorenzo's eyes briefly met Bianca's.

"I will."

Bianca looked at him.

The answer had come too naturally.

---

OUTSIDE THE ROOM

Bianca closed the door behind her.

"Thank you."

Lorenzo looked at her.

"For what?"

"For not making this awkward."

"I don't know how to make hospital visits awkward."

She laughed.

"You're surprisingly good at this."

"Don't get used to it."

Her smile faded slightly.

"You know, you don't always have to be cold."

Lorenzo looked at her.

"I'm not cold."

"You absolutely are."

"I'm practical."

"That's what cold people call themselves."

For once, Lorenzo had no answer.

Bianca smiled and walked ahead.

He followed.

Neither noticed the man standing several meters away.

He had been watching them.

And he wasn't a hospital employee.

---

FERRARO'S OFFICE

The photograph landed on Ferraro's desk.

Lorenzo and Bianca leaving the hospital.

Ferraro stared at it.

"They're already behaving like a married couple."

His man shook his head.

"Not exactly."

Ferraro looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"They don't act affectionate. But Lorenzo is protecting her."

Ferraro leaned back.

"That's enough."

"Sir?"

"Before Bianca, Lorenzo never cared if someone was watching his movements."

He tapped the photograph.

"Now he's changing his routine because of her."

His man understood.

"You think she's becoming important."

Ferraro smiled.

"I think Lorenzo has finally given me something I can use against him."

He pushed the photograph aside.

"But don't touch her."

"Why?"

"Because if something happens to Bianca too soon, Lorenzo will know exactly where to look."

Ferraro stood.

"We wait."

---

RICCI RESIDENCE

Valentina stood before her mirror.

Her wedding invitation to the Romano family remained on the table.

She picked it up.

Then tore it in half.

Her assistant watched silently.

"You said Lorenzo never loved her."

"He doesn't."

"Then why is he taking care of her mother?"

Valentina's expression darkened.

"Because he feels responsible."

"And if that changes?"

Valentina turned.

"What do you mean?"

"If Bianca becomes more than a responsibility?"

Valentina stared at her.

"That won't happen."

She walked toward the window.

"Lorenzo doesn't believe in love."

She paused.

"And I know exactly why."

Her assistant looked curious.

"Then why are you worried?"

Valentina's eyes hardened.

"Because Bianca doesn't know that."

---

ROMANO MANSION — EVENING

Bianca returned to the mansion before sunset.

She found Lorenzo in his study.

He was reviewing several documents.

She stood at the doorway.

"Can I come in?"

He looked up.

"You don't need permission."

She entered.

"My mother asked about you."

"What did she say?"

"She likes you."

Lorenzo looked back at his documents.

"That's unfortunate."

Bianca laughed.

"Why?"

"She'll expect me to visit again."

"She will."

He sighed.

Bianca smiled.

"Don't worry. I'll tell her you're extremely busy."

"Thank you."

She turned to leave.

Then stopped.

"Lorenzo?"

He looked up again.

"What?"

She hesitated.

"About the contract..."

His expression immediately became serious.

"What about it?"

"I know we're supposed to keep our lives separate."

"Yes."

"But we're going to have to spend a lot of time together publicly."

"That's part of the agreement."

"Then we should at least know how to act around each other."

Lorenzo leaned back.

"Meaning?"

"If people are watching us, we can't look like two strangers who happen to share a surname."

He thought for a moment.

"You're right."

Bianca smiled.

"So?"

"So we'll learn."

"Learn what?"

"How to look married."

Bianca laughed.

"That sounds romantic."

"It isn't."

"I know."

She smiled.

"Goodnight, Lorenzo."

"Goodnight."

She left.

Lorenzo watched the door close.

Then he looked down at the contract on his desk.

Three years.

He had created rules to make sure Bianca would never become attached to him.

Yet somehow, after only one day, the rules were already beginning to feel less like protection...

and more like a challenge.