The casino suddenly felt too small.
Too quiet.
Everyone around us was pretending not to stare, but I could feel their eyes burning into my back.
My heart hammered painfully in my chest as Isabella's words repeated in my mind.
Dante can't have children.
Slowly, I looked at him.
For the first time since I met him, Dante Russo looked… shaken.
Not afraid.
But surprised.
And that terrified me more than anything.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Isabella gave me a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Oh, darling," she said softly. "You really didn't know?"
My stomach twisted.
"Know what?"
She turned to Dante.
"You haven't told her?"
His jaw tightened.
"Leave, Isabella."
Her smile widened.
"Why?" she asked lightly. "Afraid she might learn the truth?"
The tension between them was suffocating.
Dante's voice dropped dangerously low.
"I won't repeat myself."
But Isabella clearly wasn't intimidated.
Instead, she leaned closer to me like she was about to share a secret.
"Three years ago," she said, "Dante was shot during a war with another family."
My heart skipped.
"He survived," she continued calmly, "but the bullet caused permanent damage."
Her eyes flicked toward Dante.
"According to the doctors… he can't have children."
The words echoed inside my head.
My fingers instinctively moved to my stomach.
"That's… that's not possible," I said weakly.
Because I knew the truth.
I hadn't been with Ryan in months.
The only man I slept with around that time…
Was the stranger at the masquerade party.
Dante.
Silence stretched between us.
Finally, he spoke.
"Enough."
The single word carried so much authority that even Isabella paused.
Dante turned toward one of his guards.
"Bring the doctor tonight."
The guard nodded immediately.
"Yes, boss."
My heart raced.
Doctor?
Dante looked back at me.
His expression had returned to its usual cold calm.
But something darker hid beneath the surface now.
"Until we confirm the truth," he said quietly, "no one touches her."
The way he said it made the guards straighten instantly.
"Understood."
Isabella laughed softly.
"So you're actually considering the possibility?" she teased.
Dante didn't answer her.
His eyes were locked on my face.
Studying.
Calculating.
As if I had suddenly become the most important puzzle in the world.
I swallowed nervously.
"You think I'm lying?" I asked.
His voice was calm.
"I think something doesn't make sense."
My chest tightened.
"I'm telling the truth."
He stepped closer.
Close enough that I could see the faint scar near his jaw.
"Then we'll prove it."
His gaze slowly moved to my stomach again.
"And if that child truly is mine…"
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes.
"Everything changes."
My breath caught.
"What do you mean?"
But before he could answer—
One of his guards rushed toward us.
"Boss!"
Dante turned sharply.
"What now?"
The guard looked tense.
"Rival men were spotted outside the casino."
The air instantly changed.
Danger.
Real danger.
Dante's eyes hardened.
"Which family?"
The guard hesitated.
"The Romano family."
Isabella's expression darkened immediately.
"That's impossible," she said.
"They wouldn't dare attack here."
The guard shook his head.
"They're already inside."
My heart dropped.
Gunshots suddenly echoed from the entrance of the casino.
People screamed.
Chaos exploded across the room.
Dante grabbed my wrist instantly.
"Stay behind me."
My heart pounded wildly.
"What's happening?"
His voice was cold and deadly.
"Someone just declared war."
More gunshots rang out.
Glass shattered.
Men started running.
And in the middle of the chaos…
I realized something horrifying.
If those men really wanted to hurt Dante…
Then the easiest way to do it…
Was through me.
And the baby I was carrying.