276

276
Emilia’s POV
The house was quiet when I walked in, which was unusual. Normally, there was at least some noise-Francesca’s laughter echoing through the halls, the distant hum of conversation, or the occasional sound of Alaric’s men moving around. But tonight, everything felt… still. Too still.
It wasn’t long ago that I returned from my trip with Rosa and Francesca, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. The time away had been refreshing, a much-needed break from everything. But as soon as I stepped inside, that feeling disappeared, replaced by a kind of suffocating feeling.
I set my bag down and started toward the stairs when I heard voices coming from Alaric’s office. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but the door was cracked open, and my name stopped me in my tracks.
“She can’t know about this, not yet,” Alaric’s voice was sharp, controlled.
I frowned and stepped closer.
“I understand,” Allesio replied. “But are you sure about this? Going after Alonso like this… it’s going to start a war.”
My heart dropped. Alonso?
“I don’t care,” Alaric snapped. “He killed my brother, Allesio. Do you think I can just let that go?”
I covered my mouth with my hand, my breath catching in my throat. No. No, he couldn’t mean-
“You need to think this through,” Allesio said cautiously. “Emilia-”
“This isn’t about Emilia!” Alaric cut him off, his voice raw with fury. “This is about Dominic. Alonso took my brother from me, and now I’m going to take his life. End of discussion.”
I stumbled back, my stomach twisting. This couldn’t be happening. Alonso wasn’t perfect, but he was my father. And now Alaric-my Alaric-was planning to kill him?
I felt sick.
I didn’t stop to think. I pushed the door open, and the two men turned sharply toward me. Allesio’s face paled, but it was Alaric’s expression that made my chest tighten. He didn’t look guilty. He looked… frustrated. Like he was mad that I had overheard.
“Is it true?” My voice wavered, but I didn’t care. “Tell me I heard wrong, Alaric.”
His jaw clenched, and he exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Emilia-”
“Don’t ‘Emilia’ me!” I took a step forward, my hands trembling. “Tell me you’re not planning to kill Alonso.”
Silence.
His refusal to answer was enough.
I shook my head, my vision blurring with tears. “I can’t believe this.”
“I don’t expect you to understand,” Alaric said, his voice low. “But this is something I have to do.”
“No, you don’t!” I yelled. “This isn’t justice, Alaric. This is revenge.”
“Call it whatever you want.” His face was like stone, his eyes cold. “But it’s happening.”
My chest ached. “You promised me,” I whispered. “You promised you wouldn’t shut me out. And now you’re planning to kill someone I care about behind my back?”
His jaw tightened. “He killed my brother, Emilia.”
“And what about me?” My voice cracked. “Did you ever stop to think what this would do to me? Alonso is my father. And you-you were just going to take him away?”
For a moment, something flickered in his eyes-regret, hesitation. But then he forced it away.
“I love you,” he said, his voice softer now. “But I can’t let this go.”
Tears spilled down my cheeks. “And what if I begged you not to do this?”
He didn’t answer.
I took a shaky breath. “Alaric, please. I’m begging you. Don’t do this.”
Still, nothing.
That silence shattered something inside me.
I stepped back, my hands curling into fists. “If you do this… if you kill Alonso, I don’t know if I can ever forgive you.”
His face darkened. “You’re giving me an ultimatum?”
“I’m asking you to be the man I fell in love with,” I said, my voice breaking. “Not this. Not someone so blinded by hate that he’s willing to hurt the people who love him.”
His expression hardened, but I saw the hesitation in his eyes. He was battling with himself, I could feel it. But I also knew that right now, his anger was winning.
Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to look away. “Please,” I whispered one last time.
Alaric closed his eyes briefly, like he was trying to block out my words. Then, when he opened them again, they were cold. Distant.
“This is something I have to do,” he said, finality in his tone.
I stared at him, my heart breaking. Then, without another word, I turned and walked out of his office in a daze, my pulse pounding so hard it felt like my head was going to explode. My vision blurred with unshed tears, and my chest ached like someone had physically ripped something out of me. I couldn’t believe this. I couldn’t believe him.
How could he do this? How could he plan something so cruel and keep it from me?
I wasn’t naive. I knew what Alaric was capable of. I knew his world, knew the violence that came with it. But this was different. This wasn’t just another job. This was personal, and that made it even worse.
I stormed up the stairs, barely aware of my surroundings, until I reached our bedroom. No-his bedroom. Because right now, I didn’t want to share a damn thing with him.
Slamming the door shut, I pressed my back against it, squeezing my eyes shut as the tears finally fell. I had begged him. I had pleaded. And he had still chosen revenge over me.
I wasn’t sure how long I stood there, drowning in my thoughts, before a soft knock on the door made me jolt.
“Emilia?”
Allesio.
I wiped at my face quickly, forcing myself to breathe. I didn’t want to talk to anyone right now. Especially not him.
“Go away.”
A pause. Then, “Please, just let me in.”
Something in his voice made me hesitate. He sounded… regretful.
With a sigh, I turned and opened the door, finding him standing there with his hands shoved into his pockets. He looked guilty.
“What?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“Can I come in?”
I stepped aside without a word, and he walked in, shutting the door behind him.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then Allesio sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, I know you’re angry-”
“Angry?” I let out a humorless laugh. “I’m beyond angry, Allesio. I’m hurt. I’m heartbroken. I just-” My voice cracked, and I shook my head. “How long have you known?”
His expression tightened. “A while.”
I let out a shaky breath, looking away. “And you didn’t think I deserved to know?”
“It wasn’t my place to tell you,” he said quietly. “It was Alaric’s.”
I laughed bitterly. “Well, he sure as hell wasn’t going to.”
“Emilia…” He hesitated. “You know how he is. Once his mind is set on something, it’s almost impossible to change it.”
I turned to face him fully, my heart aching. “Then help me.”
Allesio frowned. “What?”
“Help me stop him.”
His shoulders tensed. “I don’t know if that’s possible.”
I stepped closer, desperation creeping into my voice. “You’re his best friend. You’re the only one who has a chance of getting through to him.”
“Not anymore,” Allesio muttered, running a hand over his face. “Not after what I did.”
I swallowed hard. Alaric was still furious with Allesio for whatever reason he had and right now I wasn’t sure I cared about that anymore. I knew that their friendship was fractured, maybe even broken beyond repair.
But I had to try.
“If you won’t talk to him, then help me,” I said firmly. “I need to get through to him before he does something he’ll regret.”
Allesio exhaled, looking torn. “Even if I wanted to, how do you plan to stop him?”
“I don’t know yet,” I admitted. “But I have to try.”
He was silent for a long time. Then, finally, he nodded.
“I’ll do what I can,” he said. “But you know Alaric. If he thinks you’re getting in the way, he won’t take it well.”
“I don’t care,” I said firmly. “I won’t let him go through with this.”
Allesio sighed but didn’t argue.
“Just… be careful,” he said after a moment. “He’s not thinking clearly right now.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Neither am I.”
Allesio gave me one last look before turning to leave.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a shaky breath. I wasn’t going to lose Alaric to his own hatred. Even if it meant losing him completely, I had to stop him before he destroys our family completely.