140 Selene is in love with Dante
25 Bonus
Chapter 140: Selene is in love with Dante
GIANNA’S POV
Dante stayed where he was, perched on the edge of the bed, keeping space between them.
“Selene, you’re drunk. This isn’t the time.”
“No!” She grabbed his hand, holding tight. “I need to know. I’ve waited so long, Dante. So long.”
My breath caught.
“When my sister died…” Selene’s voice cracked, tears streaming down her face. “I gave up everything for you. Everything. I raised Arielle like she was my own daughter. I sacrificed my dreams, my life, hoping you would see me. Really see me.”
She leaned forward, shaky, her hand sliding up his arm.
“I love you.” The words fell from her lips like a confession she’d been holding back for years. “I’ve always loved you. Why can’t you see that? What does she have that I don’t? I know this life. I understand you. I’ve been here through everything.”
Her fingers trailed down his chest, her voice dropping lower, more intimate.
“That girl can’t handle a man like you.” She shifted closer, her knee brushing against his thigh. “I’ve watched you over the years. Heard the stories. The dark side of you that you kept hidden from the world. Even from my sister.”
“Selene.” Dante’s voice held a warning.
“I know what you need.” Her hand slid to his neck, fingers tangling in his hair as he tried to pull away. “I know the things you crave. The things that would terrify her. But not me. I want it. I want you.”
She pressed herself against him, her body molding to his side, her breasts pushing against his chest as she tried to climb into his lap. His arm braced, keeping her away.
“I’ve been raising your daughter!” The words came out slurred but desperate. “Hoping you’d notice. Let me please you, Dante. Let me show you what you’ve been missing.”
Dante caught her hand, holding it still.
“I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for Arielle. For this family. You’ve sacrificed more than anyone should have to.”
“Then choose me.” She pleaded, her lips brushing his neck. “Love me back. Take me, I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.”
“You always knew nothing could happen between us.”
“Don’t say that.” Selene shook her head frantically, her hand sliding down his chest, lower. “Don’t.”
“You should remember your sister’s memory. What she would have wanted.”
“It’s not my sister who’s been here!” Selene’s voice rose, angry now. “My sister is gone, Dante, Gone! And I’m the one who stayed. I’m the one who raised your child. My sister would want us to be a family. She would want you to be happy.”
She shifted her weight, straddling his leg now, her dress riding up her thighs. Her hands gripped his shoulders as she pressed her body flush against his.
“Love me.” She whispered against his mouth. “Choose me. I’ll make you happy. I’ll do things she could never do. I’ll take everything you give me and beg for more. I know what you need in the dark. I know.”
She tilted her face up, trying to capture his lips with hers.
My heart stopped.
Dante’s hands came up, gripping her shoulders, pushing her back firmly.
Chapter 140: Selene is in love with Dante
+25 Bonus
“Selene, don’t.”
“Why not?” Tears streaked her makeup. “Why not me?”
“I’m getting married tomorrow.”
“No.” She grabbed his shirt, trying to pull him closer, her hips grinding against his leg. “Don’t marry her. Marry me instead. It should be me, Dante. It’s always been me. I’ve been here. I’ve been waiting. I can give you everything. Everything she can’t.”
She lunged forward again, her lips seeking his, her hands clawing at his chest, trying to pull his shirt free.
I gasped, the sound small but echoing in the quiet hallway.
My hand flew to my mouth when I heard movement from inside the room.
Dante shifted, standing up from the bed.
Panic shot through me.
I turned and raced back down the hallway. My heart hammered so hard I thought it might burst through my ribs.
I didn’t stop until I reached the main corridor leading back to the hall. I pressed my back against the wall, trying to catch my breath.
Selene is in love with Dante.
The thought kept repeating in my head like a cruel echo.
She’s been in love with him for years. She sacrificed everything, her life, her dreams, thinking he would choose her. She raised his daughter, hoping he would see her differently.
I didn’t know what to make of this revelation.
Everything felt like too much. The cruel words from those women at the bar. The weight of everyone’s stares. The judgments about my father. And now this.
My hands trembled as I stumbled back into the hall, my mind a mess of tangled thoughts.
And Dante… he’d pushed her away, yes. But he hadn’t said he didn’t love her back. He’d only said it couldn’t happen because he was getting married. To me.
What if he actually has feelings for her? What if the only thing holding him back is guilt, being involved with his late wite’s sister, and this arrangement that lets him get back at my father?
Anger and jealousy mixed into a dangerous combination inside me, I didn’t even know what I was angry at. Selene for confessing? Dante for not being clearer? Myself for caring so much?
I kept walking, not paying attention to where I was going.
I wasn’t watching when I collided with someone.
“Oh!” Strong hands caught my arms, steadying me. “My apologies, Gianna.”
I looked up and froze.
Niccolo.
Augusto’s son. Dante’s worst enemy.
“Niccolo.” I stepped back quickly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
He smiled, that easy, charming smile.
2/4
Chapter 140 Selene is in love with Conte
+25 Bonus
“No harm done.”
I noticed then how different he looked from the last time I’d seen him. His expensive suit was perfectly tailored, his dark hair styled neatly. There were no bruises, no swelling. No signs of the brutal beating Dante had given him in that restroom.
“I can see that you look very well.”
Then I added, “Niccolo, I need to apologize. For what happened in the restroom weeks ago. Dante shouldn’t have.”
“Put his fist in my face?” Niccolo touched his jaw, which looked completely healed now.
I winced, “Yes. That.”
“Anything for you, Gianna. I’m all better now.”
Then he took my hand, holding it gently.
“I should also apologize for arriving late to your engagement party. Seems I have a habit of poor timing.”
“Honestly, after last time, I didn’t think you’d come at all.”
Niccolo’s fingers brushed along my jaw, and I pulled away slightly.
“I wasn’t going to miss a chance to see your beautiful face.”
Despite everything, I almost laughed.
“Maybe it’s that, but I have noticed you do seem to have a pattern of showing up late.”
“Well.” His smile turned slightly bitter. “This particular event, I may have intentionally delayed. It’s rather difficult to watch you marry him, if I’m being honest.”
“Niccolo, please don’t.”
“No, no.” He held up a hand. “I’m not here to cause trouble. On the contrary, congratulations are in order.”
He glanced down at my ring, his expression impressed, though I could tell he didn’t want to be.
“Though I must say, that’s quite the rock. Dante certainly knows how to make a statement.”
I glanced briefly at the ring
I wasn’t sure about any of it anymore.
“It’s beautiful.”
“How have the preparations been?” He asked it casually, but something in his eyes felt too knowing. “All this planning, the pressure. Are you holding up alright?”
I forced a smile.
“As best as I can, under the circumstances.”
Niccolo took my hand again, his expression turning serious.
“Are you sure about this? Marrying him? The age gap alone, and a man like Dante, he’s not exactly known for his gentle nature.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
