**Stefano’s POV**

The phone rang again right after Dante left, and Lucia’s name appeared on the screen.

I looked up the stairs, waiting for the sound of footsteps, but the house remained quiet and still. The only sign of life was the faint creak of the floorboards above, where Elena was probably moving around.

I answered the call, pressing the phone to my ear as I hurried up the stairs. After closing the door to my room behind me, I immediately asked Lucia the one question that had been ...