ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ (*Completed*)

Chapter: 25

Dante Ferrari:

**No way... That can't be her... This can't be possible.** My heart pounded, a frantic rhythm climbing to a hundred and twenty beats per minute in less than a minute. **What if she sees me?** Descending the stairs, she had that radiant smile that once made my heart soar. **This can't be happening. Why?! If she sees me with this woman, she'll surely suspect me! I'M NOT CHEATING!**

Panic gripped me. I grabbed Nemesis and yanked him into a secluded corner, whispering frantically. His eyes widened with the same realization that consumed me. "Oh shit. They're closing in. If they find me, I'm done for," I muttered. I darted in all directions, desperately trying to evade Aria's line of sight, losing track of her amidst the chaos.

Suddenly, a girl collided with me, sending a glass of water splashing across my chest. "HEY! WATCH IT!" I yelled, anger masking my fear. She raised her head, and my breath caught in my throat.

**No... Oh no.** "Dante?" Aria's voice trembled, shock evident in her wide eyes.

"Aria," I breathed, my voice barely a whisper.

"Babe, why are you running around like that?" My date's voice cut through the air as she clung to my arm. Aria's gaze shifted to her, realization dawning, tears welling up.

"Really? My stepsister?" Aria's voice cracked, disbelief and betrayal mingling in her eyes.

"What?" Confusion engulfed me.

"Hello there, dear sister... What's going on?" My date's smile turned wicked, a cruel twist of fate.

"Shut up!" Aria snapped, silencing her immediately. The pain in her eyes was unbearable. "Why? I trusted you," she choked out before turning on her heel and walking away, tears streaming down her face.

"Aria! Wait!" I called after her, desperation lacing my voice, but she didn't stop. **No... I can't lose her...** Tears blurred my vision as I fought to keep her in sight.

My father appeared before her, a silent observer to our unfolding tragedy. Aria's sobs tore through the air, each one a dagger to my heart. **No... No... She shouldn't cry... Not for me... Not for someone like me.**

"Aria, please listen to me," I begged, my voice raw and broken as she stepped onto the balcony. My father's gaze met mine, a mix of disappointment and understanding.

Aria flung open the balcony doors, the cool night air swirling around her as she stood near the edge. My heart seized with fear. "Aria... please," I pleaded, breath hitching as the weight of the moment pressed down on me.

"Why, Dante?" Her voice was a fragile whisper carried on the wind, her pain palpable.

"Aria, I swear, it's not what you think. I would never cheat on you," I cried out, my words tumbling over each other in my haste to reach her.

Her back remained turned, a silent sentinel against the chaos of my explanation. I took a hesitant step closer, my hand reaching out to touch her shoulder, to bring her back from the precipice of despair.

"Don't," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Just... don't."

I froze, my hand falling limply to my side. The weight of her pain, her betrayal, was a tangible force pushing me back. **How did it come to this?**

"Aria, please, give me a chance to explain. I love you," I implored, my voice breaking.

She turned then, her eyes meeting mine, a storm of emotions swirling within. "Love?" She laughed bitterly, tears streaming down her face. "How can you say that when you've been with her?"

"It's not like that," I pleaded. "She's nothing to me, I swear. You're the one I love. Please believe me."

"Believe you?" Her voice cracked, a mixture of anger and heartbreak. "How can I believe anything you say now?"

Desperation clawed at me. "Aria, please, I'll do anything. Just don't leave me."

She shook her head, the motion slow and deliberate. "You've already lost me, Dante."

The finality in her words shattered something inside me. I watched helplessly as she turned away, stepping back into the shadows of the balcony. My world crumbled around me, the reality of losing her more than I could bear.

"Aria," I whispered, my voice breaking. But she was gone, slipping away into the night, leaving me to drown in the aftermath of my mistakes.

**No... I can't lose her... not like this.**