Deceptive Hearts

21

Alora’s breath hitched as Dante’s question echoed in her mind, louder and louder until it drowned out everything around her. The room was warm, filled with the scent of fresh flowers and the soft glow of candlelight. Dante was still on one knee, looking up at her, his eyes filled with a mix of intensity and longing, his hand gripping the ring tightly as if he refused to let her slip away.

The Santoro family stood in the background, their faces eager, expecting her to give the answer they all wanted to hear. But Alora knew, deep down, that none of them wanted to hear it as much as Dante did. His gaze bore into her, possessive, like she was already his—like she had always been his.

For Alora, time seemed to slow. Her mind swirled with conflicting emotions. She wanted to say yes, to throw caution to the wind and accept the future Dante was offering her. But then, another image came into her mind—a darker one. Mina. Eyra. Her sister.

Her mission.

Her pulse quickened as she remembered the deal she’d made. The promises she couldn’t break. If she didn’t go through with this plan, it wasn’t just her life at stake. Eyra would be in danger. Mina had made that abundantly clear.

Dante’s hand tightened ever so slightly around hers as if sensing her hesitation, pulling her closer. He wasn’t asking for an answer—he was demanding one. And she could feel the weight of his desire to possess her fully, to make her his in every way. There was no escape. Not from Dante.

Her mind raced, desperately trying to reconcile her feelings for him with the mission she’d sworn to complete. He loved her, yes. But his love came with a fierce protectiveness that bordered on obsession. Could she really live under that intensity, knowing that she would eventually have to betray him?

She glanced at Dante’s face again. His jaw was set, his eyes dark with a promise—a promise that if she said yes, she would be his completely. There would be no backing out. No room for doubt. Dante wasn’t the type to let go of what was his. And in that moment, Alora understood what was at stake.

Her hands trembled as she took a shaky breath, trying to force the words out. “Yes.”

The room erupted in cheers and applause, but all Alora could focus on was the way Dante’s grip tightened around her, pulling her into his arms with an intensity that took her breath away. His embrace was possessive, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “You’re mine now, Alora. Always.”

She forced a smile, her fingers curling around his jacket as she held on to him. She should be happy. She should feel elated, like any woman would after an engagement. But all she could think about was the lie she had just cemented. Dante didn’t know the truth, and the weight of that truth was slowly suffocating her.

The family gathered around them, offering congratulations. Sylvester approached first, clapping Dante on the back before pulling Alora into a brief hug.

“Welcome to the family,” he said warmly, but there was an edge to his voice, as if he too had claimed her. “We’re all so glad to have you.”

Elena followed, her eyes bright with tears. “We always knew you were the one, Alora. Thank you for loving our son.”

Dante’s uncle, Matteo, grinned and teased her about keeping Dante in line, but there was something in his eyes that warned her—Dante wasn’t a man to be “kept in line.” He was a force of nature, and Alora was now caught in his storm.

Throughout the celebration, Dante’s hand never left hers. He stayed close, his eyes tracking her every movement, his touch firm and unyielding. Every time someone congratulated them, Dante’s arm would tighten around her waist, as if reminding everyone—and her—that she was his now.

And Alora smiled through it all, playing the part perfectly. She laughed at their jokes, nodded along to their teasing, and held Dante’s hand as if nothing in the world could tear them apart.

But deep inside, her mind was racing. Once they were married, she would have access to everything—the family’s accounts, their private business dealings. She could complete her mission and disappear.

Yet, the thought of leaving Dante now felt like betraying more than just a man—it felt like betraying the force that had consumed her life. Could she really walk away from that? From him?

Dante’s possessive nature, his need to keep her close, was suffocating but addictive. He made her feel like she was the center of his world, but that also meant there would be no escape. Ever.

As the celebration continued around her, Alora felt the weight of her decision settling in, heavier than ever before. She had said yes—for Eyra, for her mission. But the cost was greater than she could have ever imagined.

And the worst part? She didn’t know if she could pay it.

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I hope you loved this chapter, Alora finally said yes, how splendid.
It was a pretty short chapter but the next one will make up for it.

Thank you!
Love y'all 💗

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