LOVE TRIANGLE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: WHISPERS IN THE DARK

Chapter 16: Whispers in the Dark

"I’ll find out what you’re hiding, Isabella," Dante whispered to himself. "And when I do… God help you."

The weight of his suspicion lingered in the air like a storm cloud about to burst. Dante’s grip tightened on the glass of scotch in his hand, his gaze fixed on the security footage looping on his office monitor. Nothing concrete yet — but his instincts screamed there was more beneath Isabella’s innocent eyes than she let on.

Downstairs, Isabella paced her room restlessly. Her heart pounded in her chest, the pressure of carrying a lie weighing heavier with each passing day. Ethan's last message had been curt, cold.

Ethan: "You better keep it together. Or this all blows up in your face, Bella."

She tossed her phone aside and clutched her stomach, a strange queasiness washing over her. She chalked it up to nerves, but deep down, an uneasy thought clawed at her. She was late — and not just by a day or two.

A soft knock on her door startled her. It was Maria, one of Dante’s trusted maids.

“Sir Dante requests your presence in the study,” Maria said, avoiding Isabella’s eyes.

Isabella swallowed hard. Was this it? Did he know? Her hands trembled as she followed Maria through the dimly lit corridors. Each step felt like walking toward her own execution.

She entered the study, and there he was — leaning against the desk, cold and unreadable.

“Close the door,” Dante said, his voice low.

She obeyed, her palms sweaty.

He gestured for her to sit, but she remained standing.

“I’m only going to ask this once, Isabella,” Dante began, stepping closer, his eyes sharp as daggers. “What exactly are you hiding from me?”

Isabella's throat went dry.

Before she could speak, a sharp wave of dizziness struck her. The room spun, her vision blurred, and Isabella collapsed to the floor.

Dante rushed forward, catching her just before she hit the ground.

His pulse thundered as he cradled her in his arms, calling out for help.

But even in the chaos, one thought consumed him: