SCARLET VOWS

Scarlet Vows

A Romance of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge

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1. A Dangerous Proposal

Celeste's fingers trembled as she held the phone. Dante's message burned into her mind.

"You left me behind, love. But don't worry… I always catch up."

Rafael snatched the phone from her hand. His dark eyes scanned the screen, his jaw tightening. "He's playing with you."

Celeste swallowed. "Or warning me."

Rafael scoffed. "Dante doesn't warn. He manipulates."

She tore her gaze away, unsure of what to believe.

Dante had saved her life once.

Rafael had too.

Both men had pulled her into their world of shadows, and now she was drowning in it.

"What if he's offering us a way out?" she whispered.

Rafael's expression darkened. "You really think Dante is your savior?" He stepped closer, his voice low. "You don't know what he's capable of, Celeste."

She met his gaze. "Then tell me."

For the first time, Rafael hesitated.

"You already know the answer."

A chill ran down her spine.

Because deep down, she did.

Dante wasn't just dangerous.

He was ruthless.

And yet…

Some part of her still wanted to hear his side of the story.

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2. The Meeting That Shouldn't Have Happened

The rain poured down as Celeste stood under the flickering streetlight.

She shouldn't be here.

Rafael would kill her if he knew.

But when she had received another message from Dante—

"Midnight. Alone."

She had come.

A sleek black car pulled up. The tinted window rolled down, revealing a familiar smirk.

"I knew you'd come, love."

Dante's voice was smooth, seductive.

Celeste's heart pounded as she slid into the car, the scent of leather and his cologne wrapping around her.

The doors locked with a soft click.

"What do you want from me, Dante?"

He leaned closer, his fingers tracing a slow path along her wrist. "Oh, Celeste. It's not what I want." His lips curled. "It's what you want."

She pulled away. "Don't play games with me."

His expression turned serious. "Then let's stop pretending, shall we?" He tapped his fingers against the leather seat. "Rafael isn't who you think he is."

Celeste stiffened. "And you are?"

Dante exhaled, a rare flicker of something real in his eyes. "You don't remember, do you?"

A chill crept down her spine. "Remember what?"

He leaned in, voice barely above a whisper.

"That before Rafael found you… I did."

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3. A Past She Can't Escape

The words sent a jolt through her.

"That's not true." Her voice was firm, but doubt crawled into her mind.

Dante watched her carefully. "Are you sure?"

Memories stirred.

She had woken up in Rafael's arms, barely alive.

He had told her he was the one who saved her.

But before that…

Before the night of the fire…

There were flashes of something else.

A shadowed figure. Strong arms catching her before she fell. A whispered promise.

Dante's voice cut through her thoughts. "I was there, Celeste. I held you first."

Her breath caught. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Dante's eyes darkened. "Because Rafael got to you first."

The weight of his words crashed over her.

Everything she thought she knew…

Was a lie.

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4. Love and Lies

Dante's fingers brushed against her cheek, his touch lingering.

"You were always mine, Celeste."

Her heart pounded.

"I—"

The car door suddenly yanked open.

Rafael stood there, his gun aimed directly at Dante.

"Get. Out."

Celeste gasped. "Rafael, wait—"

Dante smirked, unfazed. "Jealous, old friend?"

Rafael grabbed Celeste's wrist, pulling her out of the car. "We're leaving."

She struggled. "Stop it! I needed answers!"

Rafael's grip tightened. "You don't need answers from him."

Dante leaned back, amusement in his eyes. "Let her choose."

Silence hung between them.

Rafael's eyes met hers, something desperate flashing in them. "Celeste, please."

Dante simply smirked. "Come with me, love. And I'll tell you everything."

Her pulse raced.

One choice.

One decision.

And everything would change.

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End of Chapter Seventeen