By the next morning, the mansion had returned to its usual routine.
Or at least… it looked like it had.
Sophia knew better.
There were still more guards than before.
More eyes watching.
More whispers that stopped the second she walked into a room.
Nothing about this place was ever truly calm.
She walked into the hallway, dressed simply today—nothing like the outfit from yesterday.
She didn't care how expensive the clothes were.
She wasn't dressing up for him.
Her steps slowed as she reached the staircase.
Voices drifted up from below.
A woman's voice.
Sharp.
Annoyed.
"You're telling me he won't see me?"
Sophia frowned slightly, moving closer to the railing.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," one of the staff replied nervously. "Mr. Marino is currently occupied."
"I don't care," the woman snapped. "I didn't come all this way to be ignored."
Something about her tone…
Possessive.
Familiar.
Sophia leaned slightly, just enough to see.
And then—
She froze.
The woman standing in the center of the room was stunning.
Tall.
Elegant.
Dressed in a fitted red dress that screamed confidence and power. Her dark hair fell perfectly over her shoulders, her makeup flawless.
She didn't look like someone who asked for attention.
She looked like someone who owned it.
And right now—
She looked furious.
"Where is he?" the woman demanded.
"I'm right here."
Sophia's breath caught.
She didn't even hear him approach.
Luciano stepped into view from the side entrance, his presence instantly shifting the room.
The woman turned sharply—
And her entire expression changed.
Softened.
Not completely.
But enough.
"Luciano," she said, her voice dropping into something smoother. "Finally."
Sophia felt something twist in her chest.
Something she didn't recognize.
Didn't like.
Luciano's gaze moved over the woman briefly.
Uninterested.
Cold.
"Isabella," he said flatly.
No warmth.
No reaction.
Nothing.
The woman—Isabella—didn't seem bothered.
If anything, she smiled.
"I heard about the attack," she said, stepping closer to him. "I came as soon as I could."
Sophia watched carefully.
Too carefully.
Luciano didn't step back.
But he didn't move closer either.
"I had it handled," he replied.
"I know," Isabella said, her eyes lingering on him. "You always do."
There was something in her tone.
Something personal.
Intimate.
Sophia's fingers tightened around the railing.
Who is she…?
As if sensing something, Isabella's gaze suddenly lifted—
And landed directly on Sophia.
The moment froze.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Sharp.
Assessing.
Then—
A slow smile spread across her lips.
Not friendly.
Not kind.
Dangerous.
"Well," she said softly, tilting her head. "That must be her."
Sophia's stomach dropped.
Luciano's expression hardened immediately.
"Leave her alone, Isabella."
Too late.
Isabella's attention was already locked onto Sophia.
Curious.
Judging.
Possessive in her own way.
Sophia straightened, refusing to look away.
If this woman thought she was going to shrink—
She was wrong.
Isabella let out a soft laugh. "She's pretty."
The compliment didn't feel like one.
It felt like a warning.
Luciano's voice cut in, sharper now. "That's enough."
But Isabella ignored him.
Instead—
She started walking toward the stairs.
Toward Sophia.
Each step slow.
Deliberate.
Confident.
Sophia's heart started beating faster—but she didn't move.
Wouldn't move.
Isabella stopped just a few steps below her, looking up at her like she was something…
interesting.
Something temporary.
"You must be Sophia," she said.
Sophia didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"Yes."
Isabella smiled again.
Still not warm.
"I've heard a lot about you."
"I doubt that," Sophia replied coolly.
A flicker of surprise crossed Isabella's face.
Then—
Amusement.
"Oh, I like her," she murmured.
Luciano didn't.
"That's enough," he said again, his tone colder now.
This time—
There was no room for argument.
Isabella sighed dramatically, glancing back at him. "Relax. I'm just talking."
Her eyes flicked back to Sophia.
"But I can see why you're… interesting."
Sophia frowned slightly. "What does that mean?"
Isabella stepped up one more step, closing the distance slightly.
"It means," she said softly, "you've caught his attention."
Silence.
Heavy.
Sophia felt her pulse quicken.
"That's not a good thing, is it?" she asked.
Isabella's smile widened.
"Not for you."
A chill ran down Sophia's spine.
Luciano moved then—fast.
In seconds, he was beside Isabella, his hand gripping her arm.
Firm.
Warning.
"You're done," he said.
The softness was gone.
Completely.
Isabella looked at his hand, then back at him, unimpressed.
"You're getting protective," she noted.
"I'm getting annoyed."
She laughed lightly. "Same thing, with you."
But she didn't fight him.
Instead, she pulled her arm free gracefully.
"Fine," she said, smoothing her dress. "I'll behave."
Her gaze returned to Sophia one last time.
Lingering.
Sharp.
"Be careful," she added casually. "Men like him don't love."
Sophia's chest tightened.
"They destroy."
Luciano's expression darkened instantly.
"Get out, Isabella!!."
His voice was deadly now.
Final.
Isabella only smiled.
"As you wish."
She turned and walked away like she hadn't just dropped a bomb into the room.
The doors closed behind her.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Sophia slowly looked down at Luciano.
He was already looking at her.
And his expression—
It wasn't calm.
It wasn't cold.
It was something else.
Something darker.
Something that made her heart skip.
"What?" she asked, her voice quieter now.
Luciano held her gaze.
Unblinking.
"Stay away from her," he said.
A command.
Sophia frowned. "Why?"
A pause.
Then—
"Because she won't."
Her stomach dropped.
That didn't sound reassuring.
At all.
Luciano turned and walked away without another word.
Leaving Sophia standing there, her thoughts racing.
Isabella's words echoed in her mind.
Men like him don't love…
They destroy.
Sophia swallowed hard, her grip tightening on the railing.
"No," she whispered to herself.
"I won't let that happen to me."
But deep down…
Something told her it might already be too late.