Page 16 of His Bride

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. Time to face this new world I’ve married into. Whatever it holds, I’ll find a way through. I have to.

I venture out of the bedroom. The hallway stretches before me, a maze of closed doors and shadowy corners. Where is Dante?

“Hello?” I call out softly, my voice echoing. No response.

I round a corner and nearly collide with a woman in a crisp black uniform. She steps back, her face an expressionless mask.

“Mrs. Rossi,” she says, her tone clipped. “I’m Sofia, the housekeeper. Signor Rossi has left for business.”

My heart sinks. “Oh. I see.” I try to keep my voice neutral, but disappointment creeps in. Not because I miss him, I tell myself. It’s just… I’m alone here, surrounded by strangers.

Sofia’s eyes flick over me, assessing. “Would you care for breakfast, signora?”

I nod, following her down a grand staircase. The house feels and appears bigger than last night. Guards lurk in doorways, their eyes following me. I suppress a shiver.

In a sun-drenched dining room, Sofia serves me eggs and toast. The china is delicate, probably worth more than my old apartment when I was in college. I pick at the food, appetite gone.

“When you’re finished,” Sofia says, “The Capo instructed me to show you the house.”

I look up, startled by her formal tone. “Capo? You mean Dante?”

A flicker of emotion – surprise? – crosses Sofia’s face. “Yes, signora. Capo Dante Rossi.”

As I chew mechanically, my mind races. What kind of dimension have I stepped into, where even the housekeeper speaks of my husband with such reverence? What kind of man inspires that level of formality in his own home?

I swallow hard, pushing away my plate. “I’m ready for the tour.”

Sofia leads me through winding corridors, pointing out rooms with a detached efficiency. My eyes dart everywhere, trying to absorb the unfamiliar surroundings. We pass a heavy oak door, and I hesitate.

“Is that… Dante’s study?” I ask.

Sofia nods curtly. “Yes, signora. Don Rossi’s private office.”

I reach for the handle, curiosity warring with uncertainty. Sofia clears her throat, and I jerk my hand back, cheeks burning.

“This way, please,” she says, gesturing down the hall.

We stop at another door, less imposing but still elegant. Sofia opens it, revealing a bright room with a sleek desk and state-of-the-art computer setup.

“Don Rossi has designated this as your personal office,” Sofia explains. “He mentioned your… digital artwork?”

My heart leaps. “My webtoon? He knows about it?”

For the first time, a genuine smile tugs at my lips. I step inside, running my fingers over the smooth desktop.

Sofia nods. “If you need anything else, please let me know. I have other duties to attend to now.”

As she turns to leave, panic flutters in my chest. “Wait!” I blurt out. “I mean… thank you, Sofia.”

She pauses, her expression unreadable. “Of course, signora. Enjoy your day.”

The door closes softly behind her, leaving me alone in the unfamiliar space. I sink into the ergonomic chair.

“What now?” I speak to the empty room.

The day stretches endlessly. I unpack, eat alone, and wander the vast house like a ghost. Night falls, bringing a chill that seeps into my bones. I curl up in the massive bed, pulling the blanket tight around me. Sleep eludes me, my mind racing with thoughts of Dante, of my new life.

Finally, exhaustion pulls me under. I drift in darkness, until…

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