Lina's POV

The moldy smell that permeated the air of the cell and the stench of rotting blood that wafted from my back nearly made me suffocate.

I wasn't sure how long I teetered on the edge of unconsciousness before the metal door was slammed open.

I mustered all the strength I had to peel my eyes open, thinking that Dante had finally sent his men to deal with me.

However, the intimidating thugs who entered the cell as light shone behind them were from the Genovese family.

They had realized that Dante still hadn't paid any attention to them even after they killed Papa in the explosion. They became even more furious when they learned that Dante assumed that it was just a farce.

Thus, not only did they abduct me this time, but they also abducted Bianca.

I was once again brought back to the ruins.

Bianca and I were tied on opposite ends of a huge mountain of explosives with about 30 feet separating us.

The Don of the Genovese family video-called Dante and said, "Long time no see, Don Luciano. I have both your woman and your lover. Either hand over your territory to the port, or choose only one of them to take with you. The one you leave behind will be blown into smithereens with the ruins."

Dante rushed to the ruins with his subordinates in tow. A steely expression crossed his face when he saw Bianca and me tied to the poles.

Bianca began screaming and crying before he even opened his mouth.

"Save me, Dante! These people are so scary! Hurry up and save me! Lina's the mastermind who's pulling the strings behind the scenes. She wants to kill me! She's jealous of me, so she worked with outsiders to put on this farce!"

Dante looked at me.

I was covered in wounds. I kept my head lowered. I couldn't even muster the strength to defend myself.

However, after hearing Bianca's accusations, Dante assumed my silence meant I was admitting to my crimes.

"Lina," he hissed through gritted teeth, sounding incredibly disappointed. "Why can't you be more mature? You actually worked with the Genovese family to stage this farce just to force me to choose?

"You crossed the line. Did you really think that your actions would force me to go along with what you want?"

He took a deep breath before making his final decision.

"Since you're so fond of acting, I'll allow you to act out your little farce till the very end!"

There was only a minute left on the countdown timer.

Dante rushed over to Bianca and untied her. He then picked her up and dashed away. He paused for a split second when he passed me. There was a complicated look in his eyes, along with frustration and fury.

"Drop the act, Lina. You can forget about coming home ever again if you don't return and admit your mistakes tonight."

I struggled to lift my head and looked at the man I had loved for so many years. I couldn't make a sound, feeling as if there was something stuck in my throat.

I could only shake my head hopelessly.

"There's no future for us, Dante," I thought to myself.

I watched Dante's retreating figure as he turned around and carried Bianca away. My gaze turned hollow, the hopeless glint in my eyes morphing into indifference.

I didn't struggle, and I didn't beg for help.

Instead, I silently watched the timer until the numbers counted down to zero, feeling as if I was watching the end of a ridiculous drama.

…

As Dante carried Bianca to safety, he couldn't help but think about my hopeless gaze.

My eyes had been completely devoid of light, replaced by a dead silence.

Fear suddenly gripped his heart, causing him to slow his steps.

Just then, a sports car rushed onto the scene, the deafening roar of its engine cutting through the air.

Dante's Underboss was covered in blood as he stumbled out of the car and staggered toward the former. He lifted a confidential report into the air and exclaimed, "It wasn't a farce, Don Luciano! The report is out! The DNA test has confirmed that the man in the ruins was Ms. Vittori's Padre!

"Her Padre died during the explosion three days ago. Ms. Vittori wasn't lying! They… The Genovese family is actually planning to kill her!"

In the next second, the sounds of a thunderous explosion came from behind Dante.