POV: Vera
Vera paced back and forth in the dimly lit room, her mind racing. Every plan she had meticulously laid out had been met with resistance, but now she felt the weight of desperation pressing in on her. Dominic was slipping through her fingers, and worse, Isabella—that woman—was becoming more entrenched in his life with each passing day.
Her eyes flicked to the letter on the table, the words a bitter reminder of how close she was to losing everything. The mafia's power was slipping too. Every move she made to gain control was being thwarted, and the pack—Dominic's pack—was more loyal to him than she had ever anticipated.
Isabella's presence had changed everything. The bond between Dominic and the girl was growing, and the more Dominic let himself be swayed by her, the more dangerous it became. She couldn't let Isabella become a permanent fixture in Dominic's life. She couldn't let him fall for her.
A cold, calculating smile curved Vera's lips as a thought flickered in her mind. This was the final move. The last chance to break them apart. But the stakes were higher than ever. If this didn't work, she would have nothing left. No power. No influence. And most of all, no Dominic.
She moved to the window, the dark night outside mirroring the darkness inside her. The city stretched out before her, full of possibilities—and full of dangers. She had always been a woman who knew how to manipulate, how to get what she wanted. But Dominic was different. His loyalty, his unwavering focus on the pack, had always been his strength. Now it was his weakness. And Isabella? She was the perfect weapon.
Later that evening, Vera waited in the shadows of the garden, watching the mansion like a hawk. She had arranged everything—had ensured that Isabella would be alone tonight. It wasn't hard to get the information she needed. People like Isabella always had a habit of letting their guard down when they thought no one was watching.
Vera's breath caught as she saw her target. Isabella moved through the garden, her figure illuminated by the soft light from the mansion's windows. She looked beautiful—too beautiful, too innocent for a world like this.
She was easy to read, too easy. The way she walked, the way she held herself—there was something about her that screamed vulnerability.
Vera stepped out from the shadows, her footsteps silent on the gravel path. Isabella didn't notice her until it was too late. She looked up with surprise, and for a moment, Vera almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
"Miss Clarke," Vera's voice was sweet but filled with ice. "Out for a walk? A little late for that, isn't it?"
Isabella tensed, but she didn't move. "What do you want, Vera?" she asked, her voice steady despite the hint of fear that flickered in her eyes.
Vera smirked. "I thought we should talk. After all, we've both been playing this game for too long, haven't we?"
Isabella shifted uncomfortably, but she stood her ground. "I'm not playing any games with you, Vera. What's this really about?"
Vera stepped closer, her gaze never leaving Isabella's. "Oh, it's not about me, sweetie. It's about him. Dominic."
The name hung in the air, and for a brief moment, Vera saw the flicker of uncertainty in Isabella's eyes. She was starting to realize what Vera already knew. They were both chasing the same thing—Dominic.
"I know what you're doing," Vera continued, her voice low and dangerous. "You think he'll save you. You think you can escape your family's mess and build a life with him. But you're wrong."
Isabella's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Vera took another step forward, her smile widening. "I'm talking about him, Isabella. About the man you're willing to sacrifice everything for. The man who is too damaged to give you anything more than what's convenient. You're just another pawn in his game. Just another woman he'll use and discard when he's done."
Isabella's breath hitched, but she stood her ground. "That's not true."
Vera laughed softly, the sound cold and mocking. "Is it? You really think Dominic Steele would give up his entire life for you? For this?" She gestured between them, emphasizing the distance that would always exist between them. "You think he'll ever truly be yours? He's mine, Isabella. He always has been."
Isabella's chest rose and fell with quick breaths, her emotions fighting for control. "You had your chance, Vera. It's over. Dominic has moved on."
Vera stepped back, her eyes blazing. "You're right. I had my chance. But that doesn't mean I'm going to sit back and let you take what's mine. Not now. Not ever."
She paused, letting the words sink in. "So, here's the thing. You want to stay with Dominic? You want to build your life with him? Fine. But be ready to pay the price. He's not the man you think he is. He'll never be the man you need him to be."
Isabella opened her mouth to speak, but Vera cut her off. "You don't know him, Isabella. You don't know the monster inside him."
Vera turned to leave, but her words hung in the air. The seed of doubt had been planted. She could see the uncertainty in Isabella's eyes, the way her posture shifted, just a little. It was enough.
Vera knew exactly what she was doing. She knew how to break a person down, piece by piece. She had seen it all before—the jealousy, the lies, the fear. And now, she had just given Isabella the one thing she needed: doubt.
Later that night, Dominic found Vera standing in the shadows outside his office, waiting for him as she always did. The tension between them had never been more palpable.
"Dominic," she greeted him, her tone soft but laced with something he couldn't ignore. "We need to talk."
He stepped into the room, his posture stiff. "What about?"
Vera looked at him with a knowing smile. "About Isabella. I've been thinking about her… and you."
Dominic's jaw tightened. "What's your point, Vera?"
Vera's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with malice. "My point is simple. You've already lost her."