Isabella was standing near the staircase when she noticed him walking downstairs with Marco.
He wore a dark suit and carried his travel bag.
"You're leaving?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Dante looked at her.
"Why? Will you miss me?"
Isabella immediately looked away.
"Not even in my dreams."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Good. I'll be back in Two days."
He turned towards Marco.
"Take care of everything here."
"Yes, Boss."
Before leaving, Dante looked at Isabella one last time.
"Follow Fiona's instructions. Don't get into trouble."
She frowned.
"You're the one who brought trouble into my life."
He chuckled quietly and walked away.
Isabella watched his car disappear through the gates.
For the first time, the mansion felt strangely quiet.
But her peace didn't last long.
The moment Dante left, Fiona's behaviour changed.
"Isabella!"
She turned.
"Yes?"
"Clean the dining room."
"I already cleaned it."
"Then clean it again."
Isabella sighed but picked up the cleaning supplies.
Later, Fiona handed her a basket of laundry.
"Wash these clothes."
"Fiona, I still have to prepare lunch."
"Then finish both."
Isabella looked at her.
"Why are you giving me so much work?"
Fiona smiled coldly.
"Because you're a maid."
Isabella didn't respond.
She had already learned that arguing with Fiona would only make things worse.
By evening, her back was aching.
She sat on a small chair in the laundry room, rubbing her hands.
She hadn't eaten properly since morning.
Just then, Fiona entered.
"Why are you sitting here?"
"I'm tired. Can I have something to eat?"
Fiona looked at her.
"There's work waiting."
"But I've been working since morning."
Fiona placed another basket beside her.
"Then finish this first."
Isabella stared at the basket.
She wanted to cry.
But she refused to give Fiona the satisfaction.
The second day was even worse.
Fiona made her clean the guest rooms, polish the furniture, wash the clothes, and prepare tea for the staff.
Whenever Isabella asked for a break, Fiona found another task.
At Dinnertime, Isabella entered the kitchen and noticed the staff eating.
"Fiona, is there any food left for me?"
Fiona didn't even look at her.
"You can eat after finishing the silverware."
"But I'm hungry."
Fiona finally turned.
"Then you should have finished your work faster."
Isabella lowered her eyes.
She didn't know why Fiona was treating her this way.
She had done nothing to her.
Or perhaps she had.
Perhaps Fiona had noticed the way Dante looked at her.
Perhaps she had seen the way he brushed her hair.
Fiona had seen everything, and the memory continued to irritate her.
She couldn't forget the sight of Dante standing so close to Isabella.
She had never seen him behave that way with another woman.
And she hated Isabella for it.
Meanwhile, in Rome, Dante sat in a meeting room surrounded by his men.
Marco noticed that his attention kept drifting towards his phone.
"Boss, is everything alright?"
Dante glanced at him.
"Why?"
"You've checked your phone several times."
Dante ignored him.
He opened his messages and stared at Isabella's contact.
He wanted to call her.
But what would he say?
*Have you eaten? Are you resting? Do you miss me?*
He shook his head and put the phone away.
He had never been this distracted in his life.
By late evening, Fiona entered Dante’s room and placed another pile of clothes on the chair.
"These need to be washed before tomorrow morning."
Isabella looked at the pile.
"Fiona, please. My back hurts."
Fiona folded her arms.
"Do you think you're special?"
"No. I just need some rest."
Fiona leaned closer.
"Let me make something clear. Whatever attention the Boss gives you doesn't make you important here."
Isabella stared at her.
"What are you talking about?"
Fiona gave her a cold smile.
"Don't pretend you don't understand."
She turned and walked away.
Isabella sat on the edge of the bed.
She looked at her tired hands.
"I just want to go home..."
But nobody was there to hear her.