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Chapter 103: Do We Love Each–Other
Dante’s POV
“Language!” I roared, slamming my hand on the table. The glasses rattled, wine sloshed close to the rims. Several maids jumped back.
“Not in front of Arielle. Not ever. Have you lost your mind?”
I stepped forward, towering over Selene, authority and anger radiating from every inch of me.
“You will stop this madness immediately, or I will see to it that you’re escorted to your room until you can cool off and speak like a rational adult instead of a screaming child.”
Suddenly, I felt Gianna’s warm hand wrap around my arm, holding me back before I did something I would regret.
“Dante… if this is too much for your family to handle, maybe I should give you all some space to…
“No.”
I turned to her, cupping her face with both hands, forcing her to look at me. To see that I meant every single word.
“You’re not leaving.”
Then I faced Selene, my gaze ice–cold. “You will sit, and we will all have dinner as a family. If anyone has to leave, it will be you.” I let my glare burn into her. “What’s it going to be? Will you sit calmly… or do I have to call Bruno to escort you to your room?”
Selene seethed, and for a long moment, I thought she would storm out. Cause an even bigger scene. Maybe throw something.
Then she glared at Gianna before muttering, “Whatever…” and sitting down.
“That’s what I thought.”
I exhaled, taking back control of the room.
I moved around, pulling out a chair for Gianna. Her dark eyes searched mine for reassurance, looking for some sign that this wasn’t a mistake we would both regret.
I nodded once, firmly, softening my expression just for her.
She sat gracefully, smoothing her dress over her thighs with trembling fingers, folding her hands delicately in her lap. Her shoulders were tense, her spine rigid, as if bracing for another verbal attack.
I took my seat at the head of the table, eyes scanning both Selene and Arielle, who were still processing everything. I motioned to the servers, who began bringing plates of food forward, an array of exquisite dishes prepared by the chef I had hired for the night.
“Let’s eat.” My voice left no room for argument.
Gianna picked at her food lightly. Arielle did the same, glancing between Gianna and me, studying us closely. If I
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CALICE
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knew my daughter, the unending questions were coming.
The silence stretched, tense but satisfying in a way.
Finally, Arielle broke it, her voice brightening.
“Miss Gianna…” She smiled, a little shy now. “We kind of got off to a crazy start. I don’t think we were properly introduced.”
She extended her hand across the table.
“I’m Arielle Deluca. Only daughter of this man right here.”
She leaned against me playfully, that familiar warmth back in her expression.
Gianna’s whole face softened as she took Arielle’s hand.
“I’m so happy to meet you properly, Arielle. And I have to say, you’re absolutely beautiful.”
Arielle blushed, clearly pleased.
Then Arielle turned, gesturing toward Selene who was taking large sips of wine and ignoring everyone.
“And this is my aunt, Selene. I’m sorry about… her behavior earlier. My dad kind of sprang this on us. My aunt is actually really nice if you get to know her.”
Gianna turned to Selene, her expression open and genuine.
“It’s nice to meet you, Selene. I really am sorry about earlier.”
Selene finally looked up, her eyes cold.
“The feeling isn’t mutual.”
Arielle winced. “Aunt Selene…”
“It’s alright, Arielle,” Gianna said quietly, though I could see the hurt flicker across her face before she masked
- it.
F**k.
I shot Selene a warning look, but she had already gone back to her wine, dismissing us all.
One step forward, two steps back.
But at least Arielle was trying. At least she was talking to Gianna, getting to know her.
Arielle tilted her head, mischief in her eyes. “I can see it now…”
My body tensed. What had she noticed? What conclusion was her brilliant, unpredictable mind drawing?
“See what?” Gianna asked, genuine confusion in her voice.
Arielle’s grin softened into something more thoughtful.
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“Your beauty is really enchanting. I’m sure that is part of why my dad wants to marry you so quickly.” She paused, then added casually, “Just like my mom. She was also very beautiful and they also got married on short notice.”
The words hit me like a sucker punch.
She is comparing them. Arielle is comparing Gianna to Esme.
I adjusted in my seat. This was delicate, one wrong word, one wrong reaction from anyone at this table and it could all blow up. The last thing I needed was for Gianna to feel like she was being measured against my late wife, or for Arielle to feel like I was trying to replace her mother.
But she is being honest. Open. And somehow, Gia is handling it.
Gianna’s eyes met mine, widening slightly, her lips parting. I could practically see the questions forming in her mind, everything she wanted to ask about Arielle’s mother. After all, I had never told her I was married, or that her father had killed my wife. For now, I wanted to keep it that way.
She finally replied. “That’s so sweet of you to say, Arielle. Thank you.”
Arielle leaned forward, curiosity sparking in her eyes, her small hands waving as she spoke.
“Miss Gia… I have to ask… what exactly made you attracted to my dad, that you want to marry him?”
Her gaze shifted to me briefly, then back to Gianna, bold and unafraid.
“I mean, no offense, Dad, but you spend most of your time working. Barely any time for anything else, let alone
a woman…”
She counted off on her fingers, listing every flaw she knew like a brutally honest scoreboard only a daughter could get away with.
“I know he is grumpy, impatient, super overprotective…”
I raised an eyebrow, feeling my patience tested.
“Seriously, Arielle? Are you trying to dissuade my fiancée from marrying me? Because you are doing an excellent job.”
A mischievous grin spread across her face.
“On the contrary, Dad. I just want to get to know her better. And your love story. After all, we are going to be a family, right? I should know everything about how you two fell in love.”
Gianna set down her fork, a thoughtful smirk curving her lips. She tilted her head, and I caught the brief spark in her eyes. Oh no… she is thinking of saying things that could make my daughter squirm.
I gave her a warning glance, a silent command, do not dare.
“What attracted me to your dad…” She paused. “That is difficult to answer.”
She seemed to gather her thoughts, then continued.
“Like you mentioned, he is strict, impatient, controlling, possessive, intimidating…” She counted them off on
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Chapter 103: Do We Love Each–Other
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her fingers, making Arielle giggle and me shift in my seat. “The list really does go on.”
I tensed, waiting for her to get back at me for everything.
But then her voice changed, became softer, almost tender. Her eyes found mine.
“It was his eyes. Those grey eyes caught my attention first.”
She spoke softly, like she was confiding a secret.
What?
The sincerity in her voice made me question if she was lying or being honest.
“They frightened me at first… like a chill down my spine,” she continued softly, “but then… there was a dark side of him I found myself getting attracted to.”
Then she turned to me with a playful smirk, and I knew what was coming.
“And then he had me locked up and left me with no choice but to marry him.”
My heart nearly stopped. Every muscle went tight as I wondered what Arielle would think.
But my daughter burst into delighted laughter.
“Oh my God, that is like something out of a thriller romance! You guys are so dramatic! That is intense!”
Alarm bells rang in my head.
“What do you know about romance novels, young lady? I hope you are not reading those things and filling your head with…”
“Relax, Dad.” She rolled her eyes, that teenage confidence in full swing. “I am fourteen, not four. Contrary to what you think, I know more about love than you give me credit for. We talk about this stuff at school.”
Protective instincts flared. She is too young for this conversation… too curious, too bold.
“Arielle, I do not think you should be…
“Do tell, Arielle. I’d love to know your thoughts on love.” She smiled like they were sharing secrets. “Because when I was your age, I thought I was supposed to wait for someone to save me. Like I was trapped and needed rescuing.”
Her smile shifted, darkening with memory.
“But then I realized… I was the prince I was waiting for. I could save myself. We women are stronger than we think.”
Arielle nodded vigorously, her ponytail bouncing.
“Exactly! You are right, Miss Gia. Strong women do not need saving from men. We can save ourselves!”
I leaned back, stunned. What the hell is happening? They were talking like they had known each other for months instead of minutes, finishing each other’s sentences, trading looks like conspirators.
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Chapter 103: Do We Love Each–Other
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“So, you and my dad are head over heels in love with each other, right? Like… cannot–live–without–each–other love?” Arielle’s eyes sparkled, excitement in every word.
“I guess that is why the wedding is so rushed. You cannot wait to be together forever, right?”
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