Few hours later...
The sound of the bedroom door opening made Isabella lift her head.
Dante Moretti stood at the doorway, holding a small key in his hand.
Her eyes immediately moved towards it.
A key.
She pulled her wrist closer to herself.
"Don't come near me!"
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"Give me your hand, Isabella."
"No!"
She glared at him with tears in her eyes.
"You've already taken everything from me. What more do you want?"
Dante walked towards the bed.
"Your hand."
"I said no!"
He caught her wrist and unlocked the handcuff.
Click!
The metal cuff fell away.
Isabella immediately pulled her hand back and rubbed her sore wrist.
Dante noticed the red marks left by the handcuff. His expression changed slightly, but he quickly hid it.
"Get up."
She looked at him in disbelief.
"Why?"
He picked up a neatly folded dress from the nearby chair and placed it on the bed.
"Put this on."
Isabella looked at the dress.
It was a dark blue-and-white maid uniform.
Her eyes widened.
"What is this?"
"Your uniform."
"My uniform?"
"You're going to work in this mansion."
She stared at him.
"Are you out of your mind? You expect me to become your maid?"
Dante folded his arms.
"So, do you want to become Mrs. Moretti?"
A sudden soft blush crept onto her cheeks, and her words dissolved into a shy stammer. Before anyone could notice the flush on her face, she swiftly pulled herself together and put on a stern, serious look
"I want to go home!"
Nothing escaped his sharp gaze, yet he concealed his amusement behind an icy facade and spoke coldly
"That isn't happening."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"You're a monster!"
Dante stepped closer.
"Remember one thing, Isabella. Your grandmother's safety depends on your cooperation."
She immediately fell silent.
He knew exactly how to stop her from arguing.
"Get dressed. Fiona will help you with your duties."
"Who is Fiona?"
"My housekeeper."
Without waiting for another response, he turned towards the door.
"Wait!"
He stopped.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
For a brief moment, Dante looked at her.
He wanted to tell her that he didn't want to see her hurt. He wanted to tell her that the thought of her leaving made him restless.
But those words never came.
Instead, he gave her a cold look.
"Because I can."
With that, he left the room.
Isabella stared at the closed door.
She looked down at the maid uniform lying on the bed.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Grandma... I miss you."
She slowly got out of bed and picked up the uniform.
She had no choice.
At least, not yet.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door.
"May I come in?"
Isabella quickly wiped her tears.
"Come in."
A young woman entered the room. She had Short blonde hair, a beautiful smile, and a perfectly maintained appearance.
"Hello. I'm Fiona."
"I'm Isabella."
"I know. The Boss told me to help you settle in."
Fiona's eyes moved towards the maid uniform.
"Oh, you're going to work here?"
Isabella sighed.
"Apparently."
Fiona smiled politely.
"Don't worry. I'll show you everything."
Isabella changed into the uniform.
Fiona looked at her from head to toe.
"Come on. I'll show you around the mansion."
As they walked through the corridors, Fiona explained the different rooms and the servants' responsibilities.
"This is the dining room. The kitchen is over there, and the laundry room is downstairs."
Isabella nodded quietly.
"Where is Dante's office?"
Fiona stopped walking.
"Why do you want to know?"
"He told me I'm supposed to work here. I just wanted to know."
Fiona smiled.
"The Boss doesn't like anyone entering his office without permission."
"Okay."
They continued walking.
Fiona watched Isabella carefully.
She had been working in the Moretti mansion for a long time. During those years, she had developed feelings for Dante.
She admired his power, his wealth, and his authority.
More than anything, she wanted to become his wife.
She wanted to be Lady Moretti.
But now, this girl had appeared out of nowhere.
Fiona had already noticed something unusual about Dante's behaviour whenever Isabella was around.
He was different.
And she didn't like it.
Not even a little.
Meanwhile, Dante was sitting in his office, looking through some important documents.
Marco entered after knocking.
"Boss, the meeting in Rome has been confirmed."
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning. You'll need to stay there for two days."
Dante nodded.
"Arrange everything."
"Yes, Boss."
Marco was about to leave when Dante stopped him.
"Marco."
"Yes, Boss?"
"Keep an eye on the mansion while I'm away. Give this ointment to Isabella for the marks on her wrists and make sure she doesn't know I sent it."
"Understood."
Dante looked towards the window.
"Also, make sure Isabella gets proper meals and enough rest."
Marco glanced at him.
"Understood, Boss."
Dante's expression hardened.
"Don't let anyone give her unnecessary work."
Marco nodded.
"I'll take care of it."
Dante returned to his documents, pretending the conversation meant nothing.
But deep inside, he was already worried about leaving her behind.
Two days.
It was only two days.
Yet he had a strange feeling that those two days would be longer than he expected.