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Dean's POV

I leaned against the cold windowpane of my room, Alina’s words echoing in my mind. “The truth will come out eventually.” She had said it so casually, but the way her eyes pierced mine told me she suspected something. Alina wasn’t stupid if anything, she was the most cunning person I’d ever met.

But I couldn’t let her unravel this. Not now, not ever.

Pacing the room, I pulled out my phone and dialed one of my guards. “I need eyes on Bianca and Jenny,” I ordered, my voice cold and sharp. “From now on, I want them followed whenever they leave the house. I want to know where they go, who they meet, and what they’re planning. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” the voice on the other end replied.

I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed, rubbing a hand over my face. Bianca and Jenny were up to something, and it was only a matter of time before they made their move. But I wouldn’t give them the chance to ruin everything I’d worked for.

Pulling on my jacket, I left my room and made my way down the long corridor toward the dungeon. The air grew colder with each step, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. My footsteps echoed, a rhythmic reminder of my power and control in this house.

When I reached the heavy iron door, I paused for a moment, letting the satisfaction of what I was about to do wash over me. Lia had been a thorn in my side for far too long, and seeing her in that dark, damp cell was a pleasure I intended to savor.

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. The room smelled of damp stone and despair, and in the corner, Lia sat slumped against the wall, her once-bright eyes dulled by weeks of captivity. She looked up as I entered, and for a brief moment, something flickered in her gaze hope, maybe, or defiance.

“Dean,” she said, her voice hoarse.

I chuckled, crossing my arms as I leaned against the cell bars. “Well, well, look at you,” I said, smirking. “How the mighty have fallen.”

Lia didn’t respond, her lips pressing into a thin line.

“You know,” I continued, “I always thought you looked better in the light. But seeing you here, in the dark, helpless and broken it suits you.”

“Why are you here, Dean?” she asked, her voice stronger now.

I tilted my head, pretending to ponder her question. “Why am I here? Good question. Maybe I just wanted to see you, Lia. Or maybe I wanted to remind you how you got here.”

Her jaw tightened, and I could see the hatred burning in her eyes.

“You could have had everything, you know,” I said, stepping closer to the bars. “You could have had me. But no, you had to go and choose Finn.” I sneered, the name tasting bitter on my tongue. “He wasn’t good enough for you, Lia. He never was. So, I did what I had to do.”

Her eyes widened slightly, and I knew she understood exactly what I was saying.

“You killed him,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “I wouldn’t put it so bluntly, but yes, I made sure he was out of the picture. Permanently. And look where it got you, Lia. All alone, rotting in this cell. Was he worth it?”

Her hands clenched into fists, her whole body trembling with anger. “You’re a monster,” she spat.

I laughed, the sound echoing through the small space. “Maybe I am. But I’m a monster who gets what he wants. And right now, what I want is for you to confess. Alina’s patience is wearing thin, and trust me, you don’t want her to lose it.”

Lia didn’t say anything, her gaze dropping to the floor.

I crouched down, gripping the bars as I lowered my voice. “You can end this, Lia. Just admit to everything, and maybe. just mJust I’ll convince Alina to show you some mercy. But if you keep fighting, you’ll regret it.”

Her head snapped up, and for a moment, I saw the fire in her eyes again. “I’ll never confess to something I didn’t do,” she said, her voice steady.

I sighed, standing up and shaking my head. “Suit yourself. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Turning on my heel, I walked out of the cell, my smirk returning as I heard her muttered curses behind me. Lia could fight all she wanted, but in the end, I would win.

I always did.

___

Lia's POV

The echo of Dean’s boots faded, leaving behind a suffocating silence that settled over the cold dungeon. His words still rang in my ears, cruel and venomous. He thought he’d broken me. He thought locking me in here would silence me. But he was wrong.

I leaned my head back against the damp stone wall, my mind racing. Dean’s arrogance was his weakness. He always believed he was in control, but cracks were beginning to show in his carefully constructed facade. All I needed was a way to exploit them.

The sound of muffled voices outside the dungeon door snapped me out of my thoughts. The door creaked open, and two figures stepped inside. Bianca and Jenny.

I straightened, my body tense. “What do you want?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

“We’re here to help,” Bianca said, her voice steady as she approached the bars of my cell.

I scoffed, shaking my head. “Help? That’s rich. The last time I trusted someone, I ended up in here. Forgive me if I’m not exactly eager to jump at another opportunity to be betrayed.”

Jenny folded her arms, her expression serious. “We’re not Dean. And we’re not Alina. We don’t have anything to gain from helping you, Lia. But we do have a lot to lose if we don’t.”

I narrowed my eyes, scrutinizing them both. “And what exactly do you think you’re going to lose?”

Bianca stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. “Everything. Alina and Dean are out of control. They’re playing a dangerous game, and if we don’t stop them, they’ll destroy all of us. You included.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with truth. But I wasn’t ready to believe them. Not yet.

“And why should I trust you?” I asked, my voice cold.

Jenny exchanged a glance with Bianca before pulling out her phone. “You don’t have to trust us. But maybe you’ll trust Luca.”

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. “Luca?”

Bianca nodded, taking the phone from Jenny and dialing a number. She held it out to me as it rang. “Talk to him. Hear what he has to say.”

I hesitated, staring at the phone as if it might bite me. Then, cautiously, I reached through the bars and took it.

“Hello?” Luca’s voice came through the speaker, warm and familiar.

My throat tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. “L-Luca?”

“Lia!” His voice was filled with relief. “Thank god, you’re okay. Are you hurt? What’s going on?”

Tears pricked at my eyes as the sound of his voice washed over me like a balm. “I... I don’t know what to say. I didn’t think I’d ever hear your voice again.”

“I’m here, Lia,” he said firmly. “And I’m going to get you out of there. Bianca and Jenny told me everything. They’re on our side.”

I glanced at the two women, their expressions earnest. For the first time, a sliver of hope pierced through my doubt.

“You believe them?” I asked Luca, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I do,” he said without hesitation. “They’ve been risking a lot to help you, Lia. Trust them. Please.”

I closed my eyes, letting his words sink in. Luca wouldn’t lie to me. If he trusted them, then maybe I could too.

“Okay,” I said finally, my voice shaky but resolute. “I’ll trust them. For now.”

“Good,” Luca said, his tone firm. “Stay strong, Lia. We’re going to bring you home. I promise.”

Tears spilled over, and I quickly wiped them away. “Thank you, Luca.”

The line went dead, and I handed the phone back to Bianca, my fingers trembling.

“You’ve got my attention,” I said, my voice steadier now. “What’s the plan?”

Bianca and Jenny exchanged a determined glance before turning back to me.

“We’re going to take Alina and Dean down,” Jenny said, her voice filled with conviction. “And you’re going to help us do it.”

For the first ti

me in what felt like forever, I felt a spark of hope ignite in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I thought.