Chapter 65: The Announcement

*Dante*

I was in my office, pouring over the latest reports from my men, when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen, my brow furrowing as I saw Lucia's name flashing on the display.

With a sigh, I picked up the phone, bracing myself for whatever fresh hell my ex-wife had in store for me.

"Lucia," I answered, my voice cold and measured. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Cut the crap, Dante," she snapped, her tone sharp and accusatory. "We need to talk about Angela."

"What about her?" I asked, carefully neutral.

"Are you sure that Layla didn't share any of your secrets with her?" Lucia demanded, her words dripping with suspicion. "Because if she did, if Angela has anything on you..."

I hesitated, my mind flashing back to the gaps in my memory, the lingering uncertainty about what Layla might have told her mother.

But I couldn't let Lucia see my weakness, couldn't give her any reason to doubt my control over the situation.