Ariana’s POV

Dante walked further into the room with his steps steady and confident, and his eyes were hard.

His jaw was tight.

"That won’t be happening," Dante said with his voice loud and clear. It echoed in the silent room. "The only place Ricardo will be resuming is jail, along with his daughter, for stealing from my company and blackmailing my wife. For conspiracy and fraud, too."

Gasps around the table.

Whispers.

Shock.

Melissa’s face went white.

Ricardo’s face went red as they

both stared at Dante like they had seen a ghost.

"Dante," Melissa said with a voice that was shaky and fake. "What are you doing? You’re not well. You need to sit down. You need to rest. You’re confused. You don’t know what you’re saying."

Dante laughed. It was cold and bitter. "I’m not confused or sick. I remember everything, Melissa, everything, so cut the crap."

Melissa stepped back.

Her eyes were wide, and her hands were shaking. "That’s not true... I would never do that to you...You’re still confused from the accident. The doctors said—"

"The doctors were paid by you," Dante interrupted. "I have proof, emails, bank transfers, and recordings.... Everything. You’ve been manipulating everyone from the beginning, but it’s over now. It’s all over."

Ricardo stepped forward with his face red with anger. "You can’t prove anything. You have nothing. This is a bluff. A desperate attempt to save your failing company."

Dante smiled. It wasn’t a nice smile. "Is that so? Then why do I have a folder full of evidence? Why do I have witness statements? Why do I have forensic accountants who have traced every single transaction back to you? Why do I have the police waiting outside?"

Dante turned to Ares and nodded.

Ares walked to the door and opened it.

He nodded to someone in the hallway.

Police officers walked in four of them, in uniform with badges and handcuffs. They walked straight to Ricardo.

"Ricardo Melendez," one of the officers said. "You are under arrest for embezzlement, fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit blackmail, and attempted murder of your ex-wife, Mrs. Melendez."

Ricardo’s face went pale.

His mouth opened.

No words came out.

"Attempted murder?" Melissa screamed. "What are you talking about? He didn’t try to kill anyone. This is insane. This is a setup."

The officers ignored her and grabbed Ricardo’s arms, pulling them behind his back. They put handcuffs on his wrists.

The metal clicked loudly in the silent room.

Ricardo didn’t fight.

He just stood there staring with his eyes empty and his face white. He looked like a man who had just realized he had lost everything.

Another officer walked to Melissa. "Melissa," he said. "You are under arrest for fraud, embezzlement, blackmail, conspiracy, and accessory to attempted murder. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

Melissa’s face twisted.

"No!" she screamed. "No! You can’t do this! I’m a Russo! I’m Dante’s wife! This is my company! You have no right!"

The officer tried to grab her arm, and she pulled away. She pushed him and tried to run. Another officer blocked her path.

She screamed again, louder this time.

"Let go of me! I didn’t do anything! This is all lies! Dante is sick! He doesn’t know what he’s saying! He’s confused! He’s been manipulated by that woman! By Ariana!"

She pointed at me.

Her eyes were full of hate.

"She’s the one who did this! She’s the one who turned him against me! She’s the one who’s been plotting behind everyone’s backs! Arrest her! Not me! Her!"

The officers grabbed her arms and pulled them behind her back.

They put handcuffs on her wrists while she fought them, kicking, screaming, and thrashing.

"Get off me! Do you know who I am? I’m Melissa Russo! I own this company! I’ll have your jobs! I’ll have you arrested! I’ll—"

The officer ignored her and pulled her toward the door. She looked back at Dante, her eyes were wild. "Dante! Dante, tell them! Tell them this is a mistake! Tell them I’m your wife! Tell them you love me! Dante!"

Dante didn’t look at her.

He stared straight ahead.

His face was hard.

Cold.

Unreadable.

Melissa was pulled out of the room.

Her screams echoed down the hallway.

Getting quieter.

Quieter.

Then silence.

Ricardo was led out next. He didn’t fight or scream; he just walked with his head down. His shoulders were slumped, and he looked old.

Broken.

Defeated.

The room was silent again.

I stood up with my legs shaking. My heart was pounding as I looked at Ares.

He was standing by the door.

I rushed to him and grabbed his arm. "Ares. What happened? What did they say about my mother? Attempted murder? What happened to my mum?"

Ares put his hand on my shoulder. His voice was low. Gentle. "She’s okay and safe. Ricardo tried to hurt her. A few days ago. He went to her house and threatened her. He wanted her to back into his miserable life, but she refused and got angry and pushed her."

I felt sick. My hand went to my mouth. "Is she okay? Is she hurt?"

Ares nodded. "She has a few bruises. A sprained wrist, but she’s okay. She’s at the hospital, they’re keeping her for observation, but she’s going to be fine."

Tears filled my eyes. "Why didn’t anyone tell me? Why didn’t you tell me?"

"Because you had enough to deal with, and Dante wanted to take care of it himself."

I shook my head. "I need to see her. I need to go to the hospital. I need to make sure she’s okay."

Ares nodded. "I’ll take you. As soon as we’re done here."

I looked back at the room at Dante. At

Dante was talking to the lawyers, accountants, and board members.

He was taking control.

He looked up, his eyes met mine, and for a moment, everything else disappeared.

The noise.

The people.

The chaos.

It was just us.

Just him and me.

Just the man I loved and the woman who couldn’t forget.

Then he looked away and went back to his conversation.

I turned to Ares. "Take me to the hospital, please. I need to see my mother."