Alessandro stood frozen at the door.
The question hung between them like smoke.
"Do you love me?"
He didn't answer right away. His chest tightened "sharp, unfamiliar pain".
He didn't hate her. That much he knew.
But love?
He didn't know the shape of it anymore. Jessica's poison had done its work.
He walked straight to her room without another word.
Jessica was waiting, smiling with arms open.
"Baby, you're finally here—"
He stopped her mid-step. Preventing her from getting any closer.
"What did you say to Elena?" His voice low, dangerous.
Her smile faltered. "I... I didn't say anything."
His voice dropped, even lower. "Jessica. What. Did. You. Say."
She swallowed. "I only told her the truth."
His eyes narrowed. "What truth?"
"That you don't love her."
The words hit him like a blade. He stepped closer. "I don't want to ever see you near Elena again."
Then he turned. Left. No backward glance.
He returned to the room. Elena was still there sitting on the edge of the bed, eyes red, posture rigid.
He closed the door softly.
"Elena," he said quietly. "I know what Jessica said to you. Don't listen to her. They're all lies."
She let out a broken laugh. "Lies? Where's the lie, Alessandro? You don't love me. You're using me. I thought... for one stupid second... that maybe you did. But your silence today? It told me everything."
She stood. "I was just a tool. A way to make Jessica jealous. A replacement."
He grabbed her wrist gently but firmly stopping her from leaving.
"Elena."
She yanked. "Let go."
He didn't. "From the moment I saw you," he said, voice rough, "I felt something."
"Oh, save it," she snapped, tears spilling now. "I don't care what you felt. And listen closely if you're not certain about your feelings, I am. One thing I know for sure: I don't love you, Alessandro. And I never will. You're a monster. And I can never fall in love with a monster."
The words cut deeper than any bullet he'd ever taken.
He released her hand slowly. His fingers trembled just once. Then he walked out. Quiet. Broken.
Elena sank back onto the bed. Tears streamed down her face. She pressed her palms to her eyes.
I don't love him. Right?
But why did saying it hurt so much? Why did her chest feel like it was caving in? Why did she keep replaying the way he looked at her like she was the only thing in his world worth protecting?
She curled into herself, whispering to the empty room: "What's wrong with me?"
Alessandro went straight to the bar. One drink. Then another. Then another. The whiskey burned but not enough to drown the ache.
Aunt Sarah found him there glass after glass, eyes glassy. She rushed to Jessica's room.
"Now is your chance," she whispered urgently. "He's drunk. Get him to your bed. Once you're pregnant with the Moretto heir... he'll be yours. Forever."
Jessica's lips curved. She changed quickly into his favorite red lingerie he used to crave. Slipped into heels. Walked to the bar.
Alessandro looked up. Eyes unfocused.
"Elena..." he slurred. "Elena, you're here."
Jessica's smile froze. "Elena?" she hissed under her breath. "You bitch. Even drunk, it's her."
She stepped closer. "No, baby. It's Jessica."
He blinked slowly. "Jessica?"
"Don't touch me," he muttered. "Get out. Get me Elena." No you're coming with me she said.
She reached for him. He shoved her hand away hard. She stumbled. Then she lost her balance and fell towards him.
Elena gasped. She said "Alessandro" with a shaking voice.
"Elena?" he muttered, voice heavy.
She ran towards the room with tears on her eyes. He pushed Jessica and stood up, staggering towards the room. Elena, wifey, he called it's not what you think.
"It's not what I think" she said, I saw you both together, just accept it Jessica is the woman you'll always want, "she said with tears rolling down her cheeks" you're getting it wrong Elena, I.... She interrupted him "I don't want to get married to you Alessandro get me out of this cage" I.....
He shut her up with his hands. Her heart raced as she saw his bloodshot eyes, shirt half-unbuttoned, tie gone.
She couldn't help but stare at his perfectly sculpted face and perfect lips. He moved dangerously close. Their faces inches apart.
She froze. His breath warm on her skin. She closed her eyes almost expecting a kiss.
Then, suddenly, a weight pressed on her shoulder. She opened her eyes. Alessandro had passed out on her from the alcohol and the storm of emotions.
Tears pricked her eyes not from fear, but from the chaos inside her. She cradled him carefully, heart hammering.
"Elena..." he murmured in sleep. "Wifey..."
Her fingers brushed his cheek. His face shifted slightly toward her touch even unconscious.
Her breath hitched. "I don't love you," she whispered again. But this time... the words felt like a lie.
Downstairs, Jessica stormed into her room. Scattering perfume bottles. Clawing at her hair.
"This bitch keeps ruining everything," she hissed. "I was this close to carrying the Moretto heir." This close..
The door opened. And Damien stepped in smiling calm and dangerously.
"I have a plan," he said quietly.
Jessica's eyes gleamed. "Tell me."
Damien leaned in and whispered.
Jessica's lips curved slowly. "Perfect."
Elena sat by the bed, heart pounding, fingers tracing Alessandro's jawline.
What was happening to her? Why was her chest aching in a way it had never done before?
And for the first time, she admitted it; to herself, to the quiet room:
She was falling for him.
Even the monster she swore she'd never love.
To Be Continued...