Chapter 137: The First Sign That Something is Wrong
The first time it happened, Bella thought she was dreaming.
She woke in the middle of the night, heart racing, breath unsteady.
She sat up in bed, the moonlight casting silver shadows across the room.
Dante was asleep beside her, his arm draped across her waist, his breath warm against her skin.
Safe.
Steady.
Real.
And yet—
The air felt wrong.
Heavy.
Thick.
Like something was watching her.
She turned toward the mirror across the room.
And her heart stopped.
Because her reflection—
It wasn't moving.
She was staring at herself.
But her reflection didn't blink.
Didn't breathe.
Didn't match her movements.
Bella's chest tightened.
Then—
The reflection smiled.
And Bella did not.
She threw herself out of bed, her breath coming in sharp, broken gasps.
Dante woke instantly.
"Bella?" His voice was rough with sleep, but the second he saw her shaking, his expression turned to steel.
"What's wrong?"
Bella's hands trembled.
She turned back to the mirror—
But the reflection was normal again.
Her own face.
Her own eyes.
No lingering shadow.
No unnatural smile.
Nothing.
Like it had never happened.
Bella exhaled shakily.
"It's nothing," she murmured, climbing back into bed.
Dante watched her carefully, his jaw tight.
But he didn't press.
And Bella?
She closed her eyes, pretending everything was fine.
Even though deep down—
She knew it wasn't.