Chapter 6
Bianca struggled to sit upright in the ruined vanity chair, her chest heaving in rapid, terrified breaths. Her fair, rosy skin had turned entirely pale, her arrogant defiance completely shattered by the sudden, overwhelming display of Alessandro’s physical dominance. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with a fear she had never known in her privileged life.
Alessandro slowly walked toward her. His polished leather shoes crunched softly over the shattered crystal and spilled makeup powder. He stopped directly in front of her, towering over her crumpled form like an executioner.
He reached out his right hand, the intricate tattoos shifting beautifully beneath his skin.
Bianca flinched, squeezing her eyes shut, expecting him to strike her.
Instead, Alessandro’s strong, masculine fingers gently took hold of her left hand. He lifted it into the bright, cinematic light of the room. The massive, flawless diamond engagement ring sparkled brilliantly on her finger.
Without a word, Alessandro gripped the heavy platinum band. He pulled it firmly and smoothly off her finger, removing the symbol of their alliance with absolute, clinical detachment.
Bianca’s eyes flew open, a breathless gasp escaping her lips. "Alessandro... what are you doing?"
Alessandro did not look at her. He turned his head and looked at the pristine white marble floor. There, resting tragically among the shattered glass, was the thick, soft clump of Livia’s severed hair. Beside it lay the broken, silent electric clippers.
Alessandro opened his hand and casually dropped the multi-million-dollar diamond ring. It hit the marble with a sharp, heavy clink, coming to rest perfectly beside his daughter's fallen hair.
Near the open doors, Rosalie stood completely still, her arms wrapped protectively around Livia, keeping the child safely beside her and away from the debris.
Alessandro slowly turned his cold, sharp, intimidating eyes back to the woman in the chair. His voice, when it finally broke the heavy silence, was deep, slightly raspy, and dead calm. Every word was measured, cold, and unspeakably dangerous.
"Wedding?" Alessandro asked, the slow pause hanging in the air like a guillotine blade. "What wedding?"
Bianca became utterly, profoundly frightened. The reality of his words crashed down upon her. This was not a lovers' quarrel. This was the termination of her power, her status, and the most crucial alliance her family had ever brokered.
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"You can't," Bianca whispered, her American accent trembling violently. "My father... the Moretti family... if you break the engagement today, they will view it as an act of war, Alessandro. You are risking everything over a clump of hair!"
"I am risking nothing," Alessandro replied, his volume incredibly low. "Because a woman. Who attacks a child. Will never carry my name."
