“Step. Away.”
His voice cracked like a whip, sharp enough to cut steel. It wasn’t a request. It was an order from a man who was used to life and death hanging on his every word.
Serena exhaled, a sound of dramatic relief. “Thank you. Finally. She terrified me.”
I had no choice. Slowly, gently, I shifted Mrs. Rosa against the armrest of the velvet chair. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely feel my fingers. I stood up, my ribs throbbing where Serena had kicked me.“Mrs. Moretti needs a doctor,” I said, holding my ground even though my legs felt like water. “Please. Don’t leave her alone with—”
“I trusted you,” Dante muttered, his voice low, directed more at himself than at me.
He walked past me, ignoring my presence entirely, and went to his mother. Mrs. Rosa was silent, her face ashen. She reached a shaking hand out… not toward him. toward me.
But Dante didn’t see it. He was too busy looking at Serena, who was now weeping softly into a silk handkerchief.
“You’re fired,” he said flatly.
The world stopped.
“Pack your things,” he continued, his back to me. “And leave. Now.”
