On the floor lay Dante’s collar and chain.
For a few seconds, she couldn't move. She simply stared at the objects, hoping that her eyes were deceiving her.
“Dante?”
Silence.
She hurried into the bedroom.
Empty.
She checked the bathroom, the kitchen, and the living room.
Nothing.
“Dante Moretti!”
Her voice echoed through the apartment.
“Stop playing games! Where are you?”
No answer came.
A strange feeling crept into her chest.
Fear.
Not the fear she had experienced when she first encountered the ruthless mafia don four months ago, but something different. Something that made her heart ache.
For four months, she had lived with a man the entire world feared.
Dante Moretti was a merciless mafia don. He was cold, cruel, and infamous for showing no compassion towards anyone who crossed him.
Yet, during those four months, Isabella had witnessed things nobody would believe.
She had cleaned his wounds when he was too injured to move.
She had helped him bathe when his condition was at its worst.
She had brought him food and water, making sure he took care of himself even when he refused to cooperate.
Sometimes, she had stayed awake beside him throughout the night, worrying whenever his wounds began to bleed again.
And despite his terrifying personality, Dante had slowly become a familiar presence in her life.
She had even forced him to say I love you, Isabella once, simply because she wanted to hear those words.
She knew he hadn't meant them.
At least, that was what she told herself.
But she had treasured that moment anyway.
Now, he was gone.
Without a word.
Without a goodbye.
Without even leaving a message.
Isabella slowly bent down and picked up his collar and chain.
“Why did you leave?”
Her voice trembled.
“You could have at least told me.”
She looked around the empty apartment again, her eyes growing moist.
“Are you safe, Dante?”
She knew he was a dangerous man who could take care of himself. Nevertheless, the thought of something happening to him frightened her.
She had spent months caring for him.
Somewhere along the way, she had become attached to his presence.
Now, she didn't even know where he was.
And she hated how much that hurt.