🖤Third Person's P.o.v🖤
Damian froze for a second. His mind refused to process what he was seeing.
Regina…?
Here?
Like this?
But there was no time to think...Her breathing was uneven, shallow… strained.
"I ingested seafood."
The moment those words left her lips, panic slammed into him.
"Shit! Reggie!!"
He caught her just before her knees gave out, pulling her into his arms.
"Help! Somebody, help!" His voice rang out, sharp and desperate.
His hands trembled as he held her.
"I've got you… I've got you," he muttered, his voice cracking despite himself.
Her fingers weakly curled into his shirt, clutching it.
She dragged in a painful breath and whispered...
"Don't… say my name…"
His heart stuttered.
He was confused, scared...he needed answers. But none of that mattered right now.
He lifted her fully into his arms and rushed outside.
"Someone get a doctor!" he yelled again.
Just then…A car pulled into the mansion and
Antonio stepped out of it.
His sharp eyes immediately caught the scene.
His messenger…
Holding her..
Holding his "fiancée".
Like she belonged there.
Like she mattered.
They weren't even trying to hide it from him anymore??
He thought as the air shifted.
His expression didn't change much...but his eyes?
They were cold... Dangerously cold.
He walked toward them slowly, controlled.
"Explain."
One word.
That held so much weight and was commanding.
Deadly.
Damian looked up, still holding Regina.
"Boss, she—"
"She's—"
"I can't breathe…" Regina cut in weakly, her grip tightening on his shirt.
Her body slackened slightly in his arms.
Damian's attention snapped back to her instantly.
"Stay with me...hey, look at me!"
Antonio stepped closer and without another word, he reached out and took her from Damian's arms.
Effortlessly... Possessively.
Regina barely reacted as she was pulled into Antonio's hold, her body weak against his chest.
"Call the doctor," he ordered to the bodyguards behind him sharply.
"And find out what she ate."
His tone was calm.
As he turned, carrying her back inside, his eyes flickered briefly to Damian.
Then back to Regina.
He noticed it.
Everything.
The tension.
The hesitation.
The silence.
He scoffed inwardly.
They're playing a game with me, huh?
I'll show them what happens when you try.
The truth didn't take long to surface.
Seafood.
Served to someone who clearly stated she was allergic.
Intentionally.
Antonio stood in the middle of the room, his presence suffocating.
His expression unreadable.
"Bring her."
Two simple words...but everyone knew that
Rosselia was finished.
BACK IN REGINA'S ROOM
The room was quiet.
Regina sat on the bed, still shaken, her breathing finally steady.
The baby slept beside her, unaware of the chaos.
A knock came but before she could respond, the door opened.
Damian stepped in slowly, his eyes filled with confusion… worry… hurt.
His eyes went to the sleeping baby beside her and realization dawned on him.
She never took the baby to the station afterall.
He looked at her now...
"Reggie...babe—"
"You shouldn't be here." Her voice came out sharper than she intended.
He stopped.
He was hurt.
"What is going on?" he asked, his voice low but strained.
"I came here for you and now you're—"
He gestured vaguely.
"This? Engaged? Living here? Almost dying in front of me? What is happening?"
She looked away.
Her fingers tightened around the bedsheet.
"I'm fine now," she said quietly.
"That's not what I asked."
"I need answers, Regina."
Her chest tightened.
She still couldn't look at him.
"I promise to explain everything to you, but not like this." she repeated, softer this time.
"You shouldn't be found in my room, please".
"I mean it."
His jaw clenched at her words..
Fear crept into his chest.
Not fear of Antonio.
Not fear of the situation.
Fear of losing her.
"…Are you pushing me away?" he asked.
That question lingered in the air.
"I–I'm sorry". Her voice broke as tears gathered in her eyes, threatening to fall.
"I put us in this mess, It's all my fault...I'm so sorry Damian, I really am".
He stepped closer slowly and carefully, like she would break if he moved too fast.
His hand lifted, brushing gently against her cheek as he wiped away her tears.
His touch was soft…but his eyes were intense.
"You can explain everything to me… you know I trust you."
His voice dropped slightly.
"From where I'm standing now… I don't recognize you anymore."
He paused, inhaling...then exhaled.
"Unless you tell me what's going on."
Regina broke.
Not visibly.
But inside...She shattered.
Her chest tightened painfully as guilt clawed at her.
Before she could stop herself, she grabbed onto him.
Pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Forgive me, Damian…" her voice trembled against him.
"I made a mistake… I—I sort of got involved with Antonio and right now…"
She swallowed hard.
"…I can't get out."
"…I'm stuck."
Damian stiffened for a second, then slowly, he wrapped his arms around her.
Still confused and hurt.
…but still there.
"I'm all ears…" he murmured softly.
"Just tell me everything."
A knock came on, causing both of them to freeze instantly. Regina's heart dropped.
Antonio.
Her body tensed as she pulled away slightly, bracing herself...
But the door opened…
And it was Michael.
She exhaled, relief washing over her.
Michael's eyes moved between them.
Damian...standing close.
Too close for comfort...
And Regina clearly shaken.
Suspicion flickered briefly across his face.
"Capo wants to see you," he said, looking directly at Regina.
Then his gaze shifted to Damian again. Sharp and questioning.
"He asked to meet him at the basement."
A pause.
Then...
"Aren't you supposed to be by Capo's side?"
His tone hardened slightly.
"What are you doing in his fiancée's room?"
"I—I…" Damian stuttered.
"He was the one who came to my aid at the dining."
Regina cut in quickly.
"I'm just thanking him."
Michael held their gaze for a moment longer... Like he didn't fully believe it, but said nothing.
He turned...and walked out.
Silence fell between them again. Heavy and Uncomfortable.
*
AT THE BASEMENT....
Rosselia was on her knees. Tears streamed endlessly down her face, her body trembling violently...
"I didn't know she's allergic, pardon me, Capo…" she cried out in Italian, her voice breaking with desperation.
Antonio didn't even look at her.
"Bring me my maid."
His voice was calm.
One of the guards hurried out immediately.
Moments later, Louisa was dragged in.
Her head was lowered, her hands shaking at her sides.
Antonio finally moved his gaze.
"Did my fiancée mention that she is allergic to seafood or not?"
Louisa hesitated.
Her eyes flickered toward Rosselia.
Fear, guilt and conflict...taking over her emotions.
"She did, Capo."
Rosselia froze.
"Is Rosselia aware of her allergy or not?"
Silence.
Louisa swallowed hard, her chest rising and falling unevenly.
"Speak, Louisa."
His tone dropped.
Sharp and commanding..making her flinch.
"She… she is aware, Capo."
And just like that....Her knees hit the floor.
"I'm also at fault!" she cried. "I didn't do my job properly. Please punish me and pardon Rosselia..."
Antonio sighed.
Not out of sympathy.
Out of boredom.
"Get her out of here."
Two guards stepped forward instantly, dragging Louisa out despite her pleas.
The door shut.
Now....
It was just Rosselia.
And death.
Antonio finally looked down at her.
"Are you still going to lie in my face?"
Her body shook harder.
There was no escaping it anymore.
She crawled forward, clutching his leg desperately.
Camelio stepped forward, ready to intervene...
Antonio raised a finger, stopping him.
"I'm so sorry, Capo!" Rosselia sobbed.
"Please forgive me! I was jealous..I was angry! You brought another woman home..I just… I wanted you to myself!"
Her fingers tightened around him.
"I'll do anything. I'll be your slave..I'll satisfy you anytime you want...just please.."
Antonio smirked.
Slowly and dangerously.
"You're one disgusting whore, aren't you?"
Her breath hitched.
"Are you that desperate… Rosselia?"
Tears poured harder as she looked up at him.
"Who do you think you are… to keep me to yourself?"
His voice turned colder.
"Do you really think you mean anything to me?"
Her lips trembled.
"I will do anything…"
He scoffed..then...
Kicked her off...like she was nothing.
"I don't want you anymore."
"I'm bored."
That broke her.
"Please! Please don't do this..."
Antonio didn't even spare her another glance.
"Bring it."
The guard returned with a small box...
Inside it...
Urushiol-containing plants.
Rosselia's eyes fell on it.
Confusion and fear woven in them..
"What… what is that…?"
Antonio tilted his head slightly.
A cruel smile forming.
"How about you experience something similar… to what you caused my guest?"
Her eyes widened.
"No—no, Capo, please—"
A simple wave of his hand.
That was all.
Camelio stepped forward, already wearing protective gloves.
Two guards grabbed Rosselia, pinning her down before she could escape.
Her screams filled the room.
Outside…
Regina approached the basement.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Then,
A scream.
An agonizing, pain-filled scream.
Her heart skipped...
She rushed in and froze.
Rosselia was on the floor rolling, scratching, crying out in agony.
Her skin...
Red.
Inflamed.
Patchy.
She clawed at herself like she wanted to rip her own skin off.
Regina's eyes widened in horror.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
"Oh my God…"
"Welcome, fiancée."
Antonio's voice cut through the chaos.
Calm. Almost amused.
She turned slowly...her body stiff, her lips trembling.
Her finger lifted weakly, pointing at Rosselia.
"W-What did you do to her…?"
Antonio followed her gaze then sighed.
Like it was nothing.
"Oh, that?"
He paused...
Then smirked.
"That's what happens… when you go against me."