Camilla stared at her phone screen with a wide grin, her eyes scanning the message over and over again.
Other Half: Is it okay if I take you out on a date tonight?
17:34
“Hell, yes,” she whispered. Who wouldn’t want to go out with the man they’d loved since their teenage years? Especially when they knew the feeling was mutual and they had been together ever since.
That man was Roberto Moretti. Her Roberto. He was the perfect gentleman, always there for her. Their bond was deep, rooted in a shared history; his late parents and hers had been more than just business partners—they were family. However, that family business was the Mafia, an organization she and her mother never approved of. Her late father, her brother, and Roberto’s parents, however, had been fully immersed in that world.
It was a tragic irony that Roberto’s parents, his baby sister, and Camilla’s father and brother had all died because of that life. It remained a mystery to her why she and her mother were spared, and why Roberto and his twin brother, Nikolai, had survived.
The reason for Nikolai’s survival was the most painful: he was the one who had murdered the others. Nikolai had reportedly killed his own parents and sold his baby sister to human traffickers for power. For no apparent reason, he had also taken the lives of Camilla’s father and brother.
That had all happened during their teens. Nikolai had vanished from the crime scene before he could be apprehended. To this day, he hadn’t been found—not even by his own twin. That was why Roberto had become a cop. He vowed to seek justice against his brother, and Camilla was ready to stand by him.
A knock came at her door, followed by her mother’s calm voice. “Cami, are you in there?”
Camilla blinked, pulling her gaze from the screen. “Yeah, Mom.” She stood up and opened the door. “Hey.”
“I just got off the phone with Roberto,” Giulia said. “He was worried. He said you didn’t reply to his text.”
That was another thing Camilla loved about Roberto. He truly cared—getting worried if a message went unanswered for even five minutes.
“I just saw it,” Camilla admitted.
Her mother frowned. “Are you upset with him? Did you have a fight?”
Camilla shook her head and smiled. “No, Mom. I just zoned out after reading it.”
A look Camilla couldn’t quite decipher crossed Giulia’s features, though she quickly masked it with a sober expression. “You were thinking about your father, weren’t you?”
Camilla swallowed, tears blurring her vision. “I was thinking about the way he died. If he hadn’t been so hell-bent on this Mafia business, he and Carlo would still be here. We would be a complete, happy family.” A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Oh, figlia mia,” Giulia whispered, pulling Camilla into her arms. “It’s okay to be sad, but don’t let it ruin your happiness. People come and go, and...” She choked back a sob. “And that is why your father and brother left.”
Camilla tightened her hold on her mother’s shirt. “But it’s not fair! They deserved better.”
“I know, my dear,” Giulia soothed, stroking her back. “Roberto has promised to bring the murderer to justice. Nikolai will be punished.”
“Don’t say his name, Mom.” Camilla pulled away, her jaw clenching. “I hate that name. I hate that man and everything he is. He’s a monster.”
“Don’t say that, dear,” Giulia said, cupping Camilla’s cheeks. “Hate is a strong word to use on people.”
“But—”
“Shhh.” Giulia cut her off with a smile. “Smile for me and go reply to Roberto. We don’t want him leaving work to rush over here, do we?”
Camilla nodded. Once her mother left, she returned to her bed. Her lips curved as she re-read the mounting texts.
Other Half: Hey? You there?
17:50
You aren’t replying. Are you upset with me?
18:00
Baby, are you okay?
18:12
Three dots appeared on the screen. I’m calling.
18:13
The phone rang immediately. Camilla answered, tucking a strand of her thick, straight black hair behind her ear. Before she could speak, Roberto beat her to it.
“Where the fuck were you? You had me worried sick!”
“Hey,” she said softly.
“Is that all you can say? Just ‘hey’?” She heard shuffling on his end. “You weren’t replying, and I had to stress Giulia out. Are you upset with me?”
“No,” she replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I’m not upset.”
“Are you okay?” His voice softened. “You don’t sound like yourself. Your voice is off. Have you been crying? Should I come over?”
“No, no,” she blushed, touched that he could read her so easily. “I’m okay. I just missed my dad and Carlo. And I was missing your family, too—your parents and... and Rory.”
A heavy silence fell over the line. Only the sound of their breathing remained.
“I’m sorry,” Roberto finally said.
“Why are you sorry?”
“I don’t know... maybe for making you upset? I’m just sorry you and Giulia have to deal with this loneliness because of my brother.”
“It’s not your fault, Roberto. Don’t take the blame for something you didn’t do. Anyway, I’m fine. How’s work?”
Roberto sighed deeply. “Fine. Still trying to find a lead on Nikolai. He covers his tracks well.”
“It’s past your shift,” Camilla noted, glancing at her clock. “You should get some rest.”
“And our date?” he asked nervously. “Can I still take you out?”
“Of course. I’d be delighted to go out with you no matter what.”
“Fine. I’ll pick you up around seven. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll be ready.”
“Sounds great. Bye. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
After the call ended, Camilla rushed to her closet. She was certain of one thing: Roberto was going to propose tonight. She could feel it in her veins.
She chose a red, off-the-shoulder, knee-length dress. Her short black hair hit her shoulders perfectly. She kept her makeup minimal and finished the look with stilettos and simple diamond studs. Looking in the mirror, her eyes fell on her empty ring finger. Her heart swelled. They had come so far; it was time for the next step.
A knock startled her. “Mr. Moretti is here, ma’am,” the maid announced.
Camilla grabbed her handbag and hurried downstairs. Roberto was standing there, talking to her mother. He was dressed simply in a button-down, slacks, and loafers.
Had she overdressed?
Before she could retreat to change, Roberto looked up. His smile widened, his eyes full of appreciation as he took her in.
“Hey,” she said meekly.
“Come, my dear,” Giulia smiled. “Don’t keep him waiting.”
As she reached him, Roberto wrapped an arm around her waist, sending chills down her spine.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered. “I think I’m the one who’s underdressed.”
Soon, they were in his car, heading toward a restaurant where he’d made a reservation. When they arrived, they were led to a private booth.
“What do you think of the place?” Roberto asked once they were settled.
“It’s lovely. Thank you.”
“Anything for my woman.” He held her hands across the table. “I can’t wait to get you out of this dress later.”
Camilla flushed. They ordered—pasta and meatballs with Chianti for her, and Roberto mirrored her order, claiming her choice was always the best.
Midway through the meal, Roberto suddenly dropped his fork.
“What? Is everything alright?” Camilla asked.
Roberto gave a nervous smile and stood up. Before she could ask what he was doing, he dropped to one knee.
“Roberto—” she gasped, looking around to see if anyone was watching. “What the fuck are you doing? Someone might—”
He cut her off with a wide smile, pulling a blue velvet box from his pocket and flicking it open. A diamond ring sparkled inside.
“My love,” he began, his voice thick with emotion. “From the moment I met you, my life has been filled with joy. You are my soulmate, my confidante, and my best friend. I want to spend the rest of my days making you smile. So, with all the love in my heart, I ask you: Will you marry me?”
Tears glistened in Camilla’s eyes. “Yes,” she whispered.
He slipped the ring onto her finger and stood up. Camilla threw herself into his arms. “I love you, Roberto!”
“I love you, too,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head.
However, the couple remained completely unaware of the steel-grey eyes watching them from the shadows—eyes filled with an unwavering gaze and a jaw clenched in silent fury.