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Dante’s eyes flashed with anger, his jaw tightening. "You think it's just a small thing? That it's as simple as giving that damn ring back to him?"
"Isn’t it?" she asked, her eyes locked onto his.
"No!" he growled. "That man gave you a ring worth millions. No one gives that kind of gift unless they want something in return. And you expect me to believe it’s just a friendly gesture?"
She closed her eyes, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking again.
She inhaled slowly, her voice quieter now. "Yes, that’s exactly what it was. He’s my friend, Dante. That’s all. Nothing more."
Dante’s eyes flashed, his lips curling into a sneer. “Friend?” He scoffed. “You’re going to stand there and tell me he doesn’t want more? You think I don’t know how he looks at you? He has feelings for you. Are you really going to deny that?”
Her heart raced at the intensity in his voice, but she kept her composure. She had seen the way Luca looked at her, the way he always cared, and she couldn’t deny the possibility that he had feelings for her. But she had never encouraged it.
She took a deep breath, swallowing the knot in her throat.
“I know what you’re thinking, but I can’t stop being his friend just because of your insecurities,” she said quietly. “But I promise—I won’t accept any more gifts from him. I won’t get this close again. He’s my friend, and that won’t change, but I won’t let it go any further. I won’t let him give me anything.”
Dante’s eyes burned, his voice cold and hard. “You don’t have to change for me, Anya. Your relationships are your choice. Who am I to tell you to give up the people you care about?”
Her heart hardened at the words. He was trying to push her away, and it cut deeper than she wanted to admit.
“You think I want to hurt you, Dante? I’m trying to make it right, but you won’t even listen,” her voice shook with frustration.
"Get out of my office," he said, his tone distant and detached. He gestured toward the door, a finality in his voice. "There’s nothing left between us to discuss."
Anya’s patience snapped. Anger surged through her as she stepped forward, her voice cutting and fierce. “Fine! If that’s what you want, then that’s exactly what you’ll get.”
She spun around and stormed toward the door. “I quit. I’m not coming back to you. Ever!”
Dante froze. His anger had been sharp, but he hadn't expected her to say those words.
She didn’t wait for his response as she stormed out of his office. The door slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing through the empty hallway.
Inside the office, Dante stood motionless for a moment before he swept everything off his desk in a single, violent motion. Files and a glass sculpture shattered against the floor as he roared in frustration, unable to control the surge of emotion that gripped him.
***
"Anya?"
Charles noticed as soon as Anya stepped inside the house. He immediately walked up to her, his concern evident as he took in her red eyes. She wiped them hastily with the back of her hand.
“What’s going on? Why are your eyes so red? Did Dante do something to you?” His voice trembled with growing frustration. “What did he do? Did he hurt you?”
“No,” she answered immediately, shaking her head. “He fired me.”
“He fired you?” Charles’s tone softened with disbelief. “Well, at least you don’t have to work for him anymore. I never liked you working there anyway.”
Anya sniffled and wiped her face. “But I didn’t work for him because of the money… I worked there because I liked him.”
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She took a few steps forward and buried her face against his chest, her body trembling as she sobbed.
“Daddy… he fired me.” She sobbed, her voice shaking. “He ignored me… didn’t marry me, and then he hired another girl as his secretary when I went there today.”
Charles’s jaw tightened, his temper rising. “He fired you already, and replaced you at work?” His voice grew harder, but his touch remained soft as he caressed the back of her head. “I know it’s hurting you. He probably doesn’t care about you anymore, Anya. I know men.”
Anya wiped her tears and sniffled, looking up at him. Her eyes met his.
Charles’s voice softened as he continued. “You can join our company immediately. There’s no need to get upset over a man. I’ll find you a hundred better men. If Dante doesn’t want you, then forget him.”