Lola's POV

I had been bored so I walked into Rome's room—at least that was one place he didn't forbid me from entering.

The room was impeccably clean as usual. I had been relieved of my cleaning duties and the servants obviously did their job with ease now without shooting me guilty glances.

I walked over to his bookshelf and searched for something to read. A black leather-bound book peeked out from behind a row of Shakespeare plays.

My heart stopped when I saw the name on the front page.

Isabella Ryder

Rome's mother's journal.

My hands shook as I opened it, scanning the elegant handwriting. Most of the entries were casual and normal for someone in her status; dinner parties, charity events, business meetings. But as I flipped toward the end, the tone changed.

March 15th - I'm worried about the partnership. Victor is pushing for expansions that feel... wrong. Marco agrees with him, but I can see the doubt in his eyes. We're walking into something dark.

March 22nd - Found some documents in his safe. God help us all. What have we gotten ourselves into?

April 2nd - Told Michael and Sarah tonight. They're as horrified as I am. We have to get out. We have to take the children and run.

April 5th - I think he knows. I can see it in his eyes. I'm scared. If something happens to me, if something happens to us all, someone needs to know the truth. The children...they're all in danger.

My blood turned to ice. My parents—Michael and Sarah—they'd known something. They'd tried to run.

April 8th - This is my final entry. I'm hiding this journal where he will never think to look. If someone finds this, if someone reads these words, know that what you see is not exactly what it is.

The journal ended there. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold it.

Something had happened to my parents and Rome's mother. Someone had been after their lives. The question was who… and how did she know my parents.

The truth about your parents murder.

A soft knock at the door made me jump. I quickly shoved the journal under the duvet and called out, "Just a minute!"

I smoothed my hair, tried to calm my racing heart, and opened the door.

Smith stood in the hallway, shirtless. His chest sculpted to perfection, all lean muscle and smooth skin. He leaned against the doorframe with a lazy smile that was possibly curated to make women swoon.

But somehow it made me sick.

"Smith?" My voice came out higher than normal. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard about your run-in with Laura but I haven't had time to see you."

I stared at him. Something about his presence here, at this hour, shirtless made alarm bells ring in my head.

"It's very late," I said carefully.

"I couldn't sleep." His smile widened, revealing perfect teeth. "I kept thinking about you, all alone in this big house. Rome's not exactly the attentive husband type, is he?"

My mind raced. This wasn't a brotherly concern. This was something else entirely.

"I should go," I said, trying to close the door.

Smith's hand shot out, stopping it. "Lola, wait. I know this situation isn't ideal for you. Married to Rome, trapped in this house... it doesn't have to be that way."

His eyes dropped to my lips, then lower, taking in my thin nightgown, his eyes gleaming with lust.

"What are you doing here, Smith?" I asked again, my voice firmer now despite my racing heart.

"I think you know exactly what I'm doing here," he said softly, stepping closer.