Chapter 227: Unraveling the Past

Bella stood in Dante's quarters, pacing, hands shaking, heart pounding.

"She's playing games."

Dante leaned against the doorframe, watching her, arms crossed, jaw tight.

"Then let's win."

Bella exhaled slowly, forcing herself to breathe.

"It doesn't make sense, Dante."

She turned to him, frustration simmering beneath her skin.

"I know what I did. I know how it felt when I—"

Her throat tightened.

She couldn't say it.

Because the memory was still sharp, clear, undeniable.

Lilia's blood on her hands.

Lilia's last breath.

The moment Bella had made the only choice she could.

But now?

Now, none of it made sense.

Dante pushed off the doorframe, stepping toward her, his presence steady, grounding.

"Then let's break it down."

His voice was calm, measured, the way it always was when she started spiraling.

"Tell me everything."

Bella swallowed hard.

Because she didn't want to relive that night.

Didn't want to dig through the wreckage of her past.

But she couldn't do this alone.

She never could.

So she took a breath—and started talking.