Before dawn | Dark romance

Chapter 75 - Three minutes of forever

I tap my phone screen for what feels like the hundredth time, checking for a message from Brianna. Still nothing. The polished marble coffee table in front of me glistens in the late morning light, reflecting the sunlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Normally, the sweeping view of the city skyline would take my breath away—stretching endlessly from the penthouse at the top of the building—but today it feels more like a gilded cage. Sure, it's luxurious, every inch of the place dripping with wealth and elegance, but the stillness makes the silence almost unbearable.

Everything after the yacht party has felt off. Not between Luca and I. That was simply perfect. Luca finally official asked me to be his girlfriend, and we connect on a deeper level. But when I woke up today, our bubble disappeared and Brianna and her drama is back on my mind. Consuming it. 

I glance at my phone again, my nerves bubbling just under the surface. Brianna said she'd message me when it was time to go down to Dante's apartment. They live one level down. I'm waiting on Brianna's text like my entire day—no, my entire life—is on hold.

Luca left this morning early, back to business, so I know that Dante must be out as well, so I do not understand what is taking Bri so long. The plush designer couch I'm lounging on feels too soft, the silence too heavy. The open space, usually a sanctuary with its sleek lines and carefully curated art, feels empty. Even the luxury seems to mock me—the custom chandeliers, the rare imported sculptures, the grand piano we never play. None of it matters when I'm sitting here, waiting to find out if Brianna's entire world is about to change.

I toss my phone onto the couch beside me and get up, crossing the sprawling living room. My bare feet sink into the thick, white carpet as I make my way toward the kitchen. I expect to find Maria there, but she is nowhere in sight. I hoped she could provided me some distraction. 

My hands automatically reach for the Quooker facet. Tea always settle my nerves, and something to stop me from pacing around like a restless cat.

Brianna could be pregnant. That thought keeps circling in my mind, no matter how much I try to push it away. Brianna. Pregnant. With Dante's baby. This is such a mess. 

My phone buzzes just as I take my first sip of tea, and I nearly spill it in my rush to grab it. I glance down at the screen, my heart skipping a beat when I see Brianna's name.

From: Bri Bri
Time: 09:09 am

He is gone. 

I exhale, setting the cup down a little too hard on the counter. The ceramic clinks against the marble, the sound ricocheting through the silence of the penthouse. Thank God he's gone. I can't sit still any longer.  I grab my Starkey, slide on my sandals, and step into the private elevator.

The ride down one floor is short, but it feels like forever. The elevator's black glass walls reflect my anxious face, making me look more composed than I feel. I try to smooth my hair, tucking it behind my ear, but no amount of perfecting my appearance can settle the nerves twisting in my stomach. This isn't just another social visit or brunch—it's Brianna, maybe pregnant, and me about to face whatever that means.

When the elevator doors glide open, I step out into Dante's floor. The atmosphere changes instantly. The hallway here is darker, the lighting dimmer, with polished black marble floors that contrast with the stark brightness of Luca's penthouse. Dante's style is unmistakable—moody, masculine, and rich, like stepping into a luxe nightclub. It's my first time seeing his apartment, and it feels like entering another world—one designed for indulgence, secrecy, and pleasure.

Just as I approach his door, I hear the sharp clicking of heels behind me. I turn, surprised, and see Emily rushing down the hallway toward me, her sleek, straight blonde hair bouncing with each step. She's in a designer dress, simple but elegant, her face painted with concern.