CRIMSON LOYALTY

CHAPTER FOUR

HER POV

“Aah,” I winced, clutching my bleeding hand.

“Is everything okay?” Bibi asked, her brows knitting in concern. “You’ve been really distracted lately.”

She wasn’t wrong. Antonio consumed my thoughts, leaving no room for anything else. I loved him—I always had. But after that incredible night we shared, my feelings spiraled completely out of control.

I felt so shy and self-conscious afterward that I avoided him entirely. Thankfully, he was hardly ever home these days. The craziest part? I didn’t even feel guilty for being with Bella’s boyfriend. What Antonio and I shared felt undeniable—like it was meant to be.

"I'm fine, Bibi," I said with a small smile. She hesitated for a moment but then left. Taking the first aid box from the cabinet, I began treating the cut myself. Suddenly, I felt a strong presence behind me. My body stiffened as Antonio reached out, gently taking my hand to tend to the wound.

My heart raced, anxiety creeping in at the thought of someone walking into the kitchen. I sat frozen on the chair while he half-knelt in front of me, carefully bandaging the cut.

“Stop worrying about what people might think,” he said softly, standing up.

“Thank you,” I murmured, avoiding his gaze. I raised my hand slightly, showing the bandaged finger. “For this.”

“Why have you been ignoring me?” he asked, walking to the counter and pouring himself a glass of water.

“Antonio,” I began, my voice low, “what we did the other day was wrong.”

“It felt right to me,” he replied, taking a sip.

I watched him, almost hypnotized, as his Adam’s apple moved with each swallow.

“Stop staring at me,” he said, smirking.

“Sorry,” I muttered, quickly looking away.

“I want us back together,” he said bluntly, his tone unwavering.

“But you have a girlfriend,” I reminded him, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Bella isn’t my girlfriend,” he said simply. “We were just... hooking up. That’s all.”

Unbidden, images of him and Bella together invaded my mind, making me inwardly cringe.

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” he said, gently lifting my chin with his fingers.

I couldn’t help but smile. “Well…”

We were abruptly interrupted by the sound of a booming voice.

“Sir, get away from her!” Dom’s tone was commanding, filled with urgency.

Antonio turned to him, visibly confused. “What?”

“She’s the traitor!” Dom shouted, pointing directly at me. “She’s working for Matteo!”

HIS POV

“Is this true?” I demanded, staring at a trembling Ada-Rosa. If she told me it was a lie, I would kill Dom on the spot for disgracing her this way.

“Yes,” she admitted, her voice breaking as she began to cry.

I stumbled backward, feeling my heart shatter. “Why?”

“I—”

“Why?!” I roared, my voice so loud that the workers rushed out, witnessing the scene.

“My mother is sick, Antonio,” she whispered through her tears. “She was going to die. Matteo promised to pay for her surgery if I spied on you. And when I refused, he threatened to withdraw her treatment.” Her voice cracked. “He had the power to do that, and I couldn’t just let my mum die.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me?” I demanded. “I would have helped you!”

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, her head hanging low.

“Leave my house. Now!”

HER POV

I cried myself to sleep last night, waking up with a throbbing headache.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, clutching my chest as if Antonio could somehow hear me. The guilt was suffocating.

Then my phone rang. It was David.

“Yes?” I answered, my voice hoarse.

His panicked tone sent chills down my spine. “Come to the hospital. Now!”

“Why?” I shot upright in bed. “What happened?”

“Your mother… she’s been taken away.”