Lorenzo walked ahead with calculated steps, every movement laced with power.
Behind him, Seraphina stood still, arms crossed, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"I know what I want," Lorenzo said, pausing at the edge of the staircase that spiraled into darkness. "And I know where to find it."
Seraphina’s brow lifted. "You sound very sure of yourself."
He turned to her, eyes sharp as razors. "There’s a letter.....
Hidden with Lauretta, Morano’s mother. It’s inside a small wooden box."
Seraphina tilted her head. "A letter?"
"It reveals who Alessia really is," Lorenzo said, voice low. "Whether she’s the Chosen... or the Blood Moon Child reborn.
"That letter holds everything. Her origin. Her fate. Her danger." he said
"And you want it?" Seraphina asked him.
"No," Lorenzo said, stepping closer. "I need it. That’s my price." he answered.
Seraphina’s lips twitched. "Hmmm... tough one."
"It won’t be easy," Lorenzo admitted. "The woman is unpredictable.
She guards the past like it’s gold."
Seraphina chuckled, eyes gleaming. "But gold is exactly what I enjoy stealing." She looked at him, studied him for a beat. "Alright. I’ll try. No promises. But if I do get it... "
"You’ll get what you want," he finished.
No words, no threats, just the weight of an unspoken agreement between two power players.
Seraphina held out her hand. "Deal?"
Their palms met in a single, silent shake.
Then Seraphina turned to her men. "Let’s go."
She didn’t look back. Her leather coat billowed behind her as she disappeared into the night with her guards.
Lorenzo waited until the last echo of their steps faded, then turned and descended the spiral staircase.
Deeper into the earth. Into the hidden chambers where no one dared go.
Where the real war began.
The sharp scent of antiseptic filled Luca’s nose as he stepped into the corridor.
The soft beeping of machines in Alessia’s room haunted him like ticking time.
He moved away from the ward and pulled out his phone.
The officer picked up almost instantly. "Mr. Luca Morano.... "
"I can’t come in today," Luca said sharply. "My wife is terribly ill."
"Understood, sir. We received a report from the night guard. Someone might’ve breached the east wing, near the secret chambers."
Luca ran a hand through his hair, pacing. "If you believe someone broke in, then investigate. I trust your team."
"And if we don’t find anything?"
Luca’s voice dropped. "Then I’ll deal with it myself when I return. I’ll ask the guard who heard something. Maybe someone noticed movement."
"Alright, sir. Wishing your wife a safe recovery."
He hung up, sliding the phone back into his pocket.
Luca stared down the hallway for a long second.
The weight of everything.... The secrets, The lies, The fear of losing Alessia.... Pressed hard on his shoulders.
Then he turned and walked back into the hospital room.
Her skin pale, lips slightly parted as if whispering in a dream.
Luca pulled a chair close to the bed, took her hand in his, and leaned in.
"I’m still fighting for you," he said. "So you fight too. Don’t give up, Not now."
Alessia couldn’t speak as she was too weak, she only managed to nod her head. Then closed her eyes again.
Daisy met a shadow at the club.
The bass in the club pounded like a racing heartbeat, vibrating through the floor and into Daisy’s heels.
Her hips moved to the rhythm under the neon lights, her sequined dress catching every glint. Sweat laced her collarbone, her curls bounced with every sway but nothing could distract her from the quiet thrill of the night.
She wasn’t here for pleasure. Not really.
Not since everything around Alessia began crumbling and she’s figuring how to find and expose those behind it.
A guy caught her attention near the barhe is tall, with that controlled kind of confidence.
He didn’t belong to the drunk, rowdy crowd.
No, this one had eyes that watched everything but said nothing.
Dark polo, jeans, a clean-cut fade, and a subtle scar near his temple.
He was standing like a man on duty... except tonight, he wasn’t.
"Nice moves," he said as she paused for a breather. His voice was smooth, deep with a tinge of mischief.
"Thanks," Daisy flashed a polite smile. "You don’t look like the dancing type though."
"I’m not," he chuckled. "my name’s Romeo."
"Romeo?" Daisy arched a brow. "Are you serious?"
"It’s my real name, I swear," he lifted both palms. "I work for my madam. I’m the chief security detail."
Daisy tilted her head. "Your madam?"
He nodded, leaning in slightly. "Seraphina. Ex-daughter to the late Alessandro Morano."
The name hit her like cold wine on a hot day.
Daisy’s lashes fluttered for a second. "Whaaat?" she gasped, then caught herself and pulled on her best poker face.
She licked her lips and feigned casual interest.
Romeo caught her reaction. "You alright?" he asked, watching her carefully. "You look surprised. Do you know them?"
"No," Daisy said quickly, shaking her head. "I mean, I have only heard the Morano name from afar. Mafia royalty and all that. Just didn’t know he had an ex-daughter."
She let out a fake chuckle. "Interesting."
Romeo narrowed his eyes slightly but didn’t press. "Yeah, she doesn’t like to be called that.
But technically, that’s what she is.
I have been with her for almost two years."
Daisy leaned closer now, sipping her drink like it didn’t matter. "Hope you don’t do the bad dirty jobs. Like betray people and stuff."
His brow creased, then softened. "Nah. I don’t play that game.
I’m just her shadow. Wherever she goes, I go.
I maintain her security, manage the staff, and I only join her on missions if it’s special."
"Missions?" Daisy repeated.
He gave a slow nod. "Things I can’t talk about.
But they usually don’t end with flowers and chocolates."
Daisy gave a soft laugh but inside, her thoughts were spinning.
So Seraphina had a loyal watchdog.
Good-looking, slightly bored, and clearly unaware of the games his boss played behind closed doors. Or maybe he did know, and chose to stay loyal.
Either way, he was useful.
"Nice meeting you," Romeo said, offering his phone. "Let’s stay in touch. Never know when I’ll need a beautiful dance partner again."
"Sure," Daisy said, saving his number under R. "Catch you later."
He gave her a small wink and turned back toward the inner lounge of the club, disappearing into the red haze of lights.
The second he was gone, Daisy’s whole body tensed.
That snake had secrets layered like gold leaf.
But this Romeo guy... he was a crack in the wall. An opening.
Let’s see how good you are at snitching when someone’s outsnitch you, Daisy thought smugly, adjusting her purse strap.
Two can play this game.
She stepped outside into the cooler air, her heels clicking against the pavement.
The club’s glow still painted the night in shades of red and violet.
She pulled out her phone and tried Alessia’s number.
Riiiiing... Still nothing.
Her brows furrowed. "Come on, girl..."
She dialed again, pacing. But the call went unanswered.
That wasn’t like Alessia. Especially not after everything that had gone down with Luca, Bianca, and the lies spiraling out of control.
Daisy exhaled shakily and gripped her phone tighter.
"Alright. I’ll just go see her myself tomorrow, since i can’t reach her on phone"... she said.
She was about to get into a cab when her phone buzzed.
From an unknown number.
She tapped on it and her breath hitched.
"Tell your friend Alessia to stop pretending. Or she’ll find more than she’s looking for."
Her throat closed up. Her pulse jumped.
She looked around, but the street was empty except for passing cars.
The message vanished.
Daisy stood frozen, heart slamming like a drumbeat.
"Hmmmm,, What the hell is happening"?...
Donato stood at the edge of the trees, a strange shimmer dancing over his skin.
He didn’t feel warm. He just... existed.
And in front of him, the small boy still stood, staring up at him like he had seen a ghost.
Because he actually had....
"Wait..." the boy said again. "You said I can see you. Does that mean you’re a ghost?"
Donato let out a shaky laugh. "Yes. Hhh—not really. I mean... I feel like I’m a ghost. But also... not quite."
The boy’s eyes were wide. "Like, half-ghost?"
Donato nodded. "Exactly."
They stared at each other in silence.
Then the boy blinked.
"Okay... okay. Calm down," Donato said to him. "Let’s just pretend this is normal."
And the kid nodded his head
Donato smiled. "Smart kid."
"But what do you want from me?" the boy asked. "Why am I the only one seeing you.... Why can I see you?"...
"I don’t know why you can," Donato said. "But I’m glad you do. Because I need help, I really need your help... Badly."
The boy looked nervous. "With what?"
"My body," Donato said. "It’s still out there. Somewhere. It’s not dead... but not alive either. It’s just lying there. And I’m stuck here, between both worlds."
The boy took a step closer. "So... how do I help?"
"You need to convince an adult," Donato said quickly. "Someone who trusts you. Someone willing to follow you. Bring them there. I’ll show you where my body is. But we have to move fast. I’m running out of time."
The boy opened his mouth to respond...
But a voice cut him short
A sharp voice rang out from behind them.
The boy flinched. "That’s my mom," he whispered.
"Jackson" she called again, louder now. "What are you doing over there? Who are you talking to? Thin air?"
His chest rose and fell with slow realization.
She couldn’t see him.
The woman’s footsteps crunched closer, echoing through the silence.
And that’s when it hit him.
Fully... And Finally.
He really was a ghost....