His Villain

78

One week later.....

The soft strains of music filled the dimly lit room, casting a spell of enchantment upon Celia as she swayed to the rhythm. Her body moved with grace, each step calculated and fluid, as if she were floating on a cloud. Her slender form twisted and turned, a vision of elegance amidst the solitude of the dance floor.

But beneath her poised exterior, Celia was lost in a sea of thoughts and emotions. Just a week ago, she had endured the heart-wrenching pain of losing another child again. The anguish of that loss lingered within her, overshadowing every moment, every breath. It weighed heavily on her heart, threatening to drown her in sorrow.

As she spun, a sudden warmth enveloped her, and she felt a pair of strong hands gently creep around her tiny waist. The touch sent shivers down her spine, and her heart skipped a beat. She recognized the familiar scent of Venezio's cologne as it filled her senses, intertwining with the ethereal melodies of the music.

Celia surrendered to the embrace, allowing Venezio to guide her in the dance. Their movements harmonized effortlessly, as if they were a single entity swaying to the same hidden rhythm. In the delicate moments that followed, words were unnecessary. Their bodies spoke a language of their own, conveying a depth of understanding and connection that surpassed mere verbal communication.

As the dance came to an end, Venezio's voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched into every syllable. Celia remained silent, unable to find the words to express the depths of her pain. She released herself from his grasp and ambled toward the kitchen, her mind consumed by a thirst that could not be quenched by the dance alone.

In the dimly lit kitchen, Celia's trembling hands reached for a glass, filled it with cool water, and brought it to her lips. As the liquid cascaded down her throat, Venezio observed her every move to her bruised features to figure, his eyes filled with a mix of love and worry. He knew she hadn't slept well since the loss of another child, for he too had been tormented by the void left by their departed child.

Celia turned to face him, her eyes searching for answers. "How is Inizio?" she asked, her voice carrying a mix of concern and longing. Inizio, their firstborn, was staying with Venezio. She wondered how he was coping with the absence of his mother.

The passing week felt like an eternity as time languidly slipped by for Celia. On the third day, she was discharged from the hospital, weary but resolute. Having sent divorce papers to Venezio, she was surprised to learn that he had not signed them. He presented her with a proposition, urging her to grant him and Inizio some time alone. After one week, Celia would be free to do as she pleased, Venezio can't let Inizio get away from him. Celia reluctantly agreed, insisting that she too needed time apart.

Venezio initially objected, but Celia eventually convinced him, explaining her need to heal before facing Inizio. Unaware of the events that had unfolded in Venezio's life during her absence, Celia had cursed him countless times for easily acquiescing to her divorce request. She had been kept informed of the downfall of corrupt politicians, government members, and businessmen through her team and all appreciation goes to her cause of her reporting on the day of the traumatized incident. And for those she couldn't expose were exposed by someone, no one revealed the source of the damning evidence against them and Lucian was declared dead because of lack of oxygen. Somewhere deep down, she had a suspicion, yet she refrained from confirming it. Visitors came and went, but none could fill the void in her heart left by the loss of her second child.

Uncertainty shrouded the future of Venezio, whether he would remain Venezio D'Amico Cassano or simply Venezio Cassano. However, one thing remained crystal clear - if he chose to continue his life as Venezio D'Amico Cassano, she would never allow herself or her child to be a part of his world, regardless of her current situation, which she had orchestrated according to her own plans.