Chapter 3
Leonard sighed. "I know this is tough for you.
"Dante's been obsessive since he was a boy.
"I never expected him to do something like this. I'm both surprised and heartbroken."
Leonard looked at me, his gaze gentle and full of affection. "Isabella, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come to me.
"Whatever I can do for you, I'll be there to help."
I looked at him, but my heart felt icy cold.
Hypocrite.
There wasn't a single good person in this family.
But I didn't call him out.
Maybe he could be a pawn in my game.
"Leonard, there's something I need your help with," I said.
I set the book down and looked at him, my expression earnest.
"Oh? Go ahead, tell me," he replied.
"I want to leave here," I said.
Leonard's face fell, a troubled look crossing his features. "Well... Isabella, it's not that I don't want to help you.
"But right now, Dante's got all the power. No one in the family dares go against him anymore.
"You know what he did to his own brother just to get you..."
He didn't finish, just gave me a meaningful look.
I lowered my head, concealing the hatred in my eyes.
I put on a look of utter despair, my voice quivering as if I might cry. "I understand.
"Am I really going to be locked away by him for the rest of my life?"
Leonard gave my hand a reassuring pat, trying to comfort me. "Don't lose hope, sweetheart.
"Things will turn around sooner or later.
"Just take care of yourself, and don't do anything foolish.
"Dante's keeping a close eye on you right now. The more you fight back, the more it excites him.
"For now, just play along with him.
"When he finally lets his guard down, that's when we'll make our move."
I looked up at him, tears streaming down my face. "Really? Uncle Leonard, will you truly help me?"
"Of course," Leonard looked at me, his expression full of unwavering promise.
He added: "I watched Marco grow up, and you meant everything to him. There's no way I'd just sit back and let you suffer."
The moment he was gone, every trace of sadness disappeared from my face.
Go along with him?
Is that really what you think, Leonard?
I started following Leonard's "advice."
I put on a show of obedience, making sure everyone saw how compliant I was.
When he came to my room, I didn't resist anymore.
If he wanted me to sit next to him at the dinner table, I did as he asked.
He'd even feed me in front of everyone, or leave hickeys on my neck for all to see.
I was like a soulless puppet, playing my part in his twisted show.
Dante looked genuinely satisfied with my "obedience."
He started taking me to some of the family meetings.
He just had me sit beside him, silent.
But I knew this was my moment to strike.
I needed to track his every move, to know everything about him.
One night, he was in his study, handling business.
I walked in with a cup of coffee.
"Still working this late?" I said, setting the coffee down beside him, my voice so sweet it made even me want to gag.
He looked up, a hint of fatigue in his eyes.
"Just a minor issue," he said, pointing at a file on the desk. "The Falconi Syndicate hijacked one of our shipments at the docks.
"It was a huge loss."
My heart skipped a beat.
The Falconi Syndicate had been the Rossi Family's archrival for years.
Back when Marco was around, there was always tension between the two, but they managed to keep the peace... just barely.
Now that Marco was gone, they jumped at the chance, seeing the Rossi Family as leaderless and easy pickings. "Is there anything you need me to do?" I asked.
He glanced at me, looking a bit surprised.
Then he smiled.