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He spreads his arms out wide and smiles. Never in my life have I ever seen a man so unhinged and tactful.

“You lied to Daniele,” I spit. “About Beatrice—and God knows what else. You twisted everything he believed in. Broke him from the inside out. And you will pay for what you’ve done, Giacomo.”

He blinks, casting me an amused gaze. “From where I’m standing, amore, it seems that I have the upper hand right now.”

He does—for now. But I know Matteo. By now, he’s already looking for me, which means whatever grand finale Giacomo has planned… it’s about to become reality.

I’m torn—caught between the desperate hope that Matteo finds me and the gut-wrenching fear that he’ll walk straight into this psychopath’s trap.

Giacomo chuckles, amused, striding toward the door. “I have business to attend to,” he says, with a grin that curdles my blood. “But don’t worry—I’ll be back soon.”

His gaze flicks to Daniele, who’s just re-entered the room.

“Make sure she stays put,” Giacomo orders. “I need to make a call to our guest of honor.”

And then he’s gone, leaving me in the cabin with Daniele.

The moment the door shuts behind him, the tension in the room thickens. Daniele remains frozen, his fists clenched, his chest rising and falling too fast. I can tell that he is barely holding on to whatever sliver of light that remains in him.

I swallow hard, my voice coming out softer than I intend. “Daniele.”

He doesn’t look at me.

I press on, my voice low but urgent.

“You know what he’s doing to you, don’t you? I know you do—otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing there like you’re about to tear yourself apart. This was never about love. Never about family. He didn’t bring you back to rebuild something—he brought you here to use you.”

I lean closer, locking eyes with him.

“You’re not a son to him, Daniele. You’re a weapon. A tool he’s been sharpening for years—just to aim at your father. This was always about Matteo. Always about revenge.”

His jaw ticks. It’s all the encouragement I need to keep going. I know I can reach him. I know the Daniele I knew is still in there.

“He lied to you, Daniele. Matteo didn’t kill your mother, he’s the one who saved her. He’s the one who protected you and your mother all these years.”

Daniele exhales sharply, finally turning to me. His eyes are glassy, conflicted. And in that moment, I see it—a flicker of hope, a fracture in the armor he’s worn for so long.

“You are a Davacalli,” I say, voice trembling with urgency. “Matteo never treated you like anything less than his son.”

Daniele swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing.Come on, Daniele. I know you are in there somewhere.

“He killed my mother,” he says hoarsely.

“No.” I shake my head. “Giacomo is the one who destroyed your family. And Emily—” I pause, waiting for him to meet my gaze. “She killed Beatrice. She poisoned her the same way she was poisoning me. He manipulated both of you.”

Daniele flinches. “Liar.”

I don’t break eye contact. “You know it’s true.”

A loud silence passes between us. Neither one of us daring to speak.

“Help me escape,” I whisper, the plea breaking in my throat. “Please, Daniele. He’s going to kill me—and when he’s done, he’ll come for you too. You know it.”

I lean forward, forcing him to meet my eyes.

“He doesn’t love you. He never did. You’re not his son—you’re just a shadow in his war. And the moment you stop being useful… he’ll erase you like you were never here.”

Silence.