Nancy blinked against the harsh light filtering through the curtains. Her mind was a little foggy as she tried to piece together the fragments of her memory. The last thing she remembered was the chaos aboard Damon's ship, the shouts and gunfire echoing around her. She found herself lying on a lavish bed in an unfamiliar room. Elegant decor with tapestries starkly contrasts with the turmoil she had just endured.

Nancy slowly sat up. A chill ran through her spine. The room was luxurious but felt suffocatingly foreign. Panic fluttered in her chest when she swung her legs over the side. The cool marble floor was grounding her in reality. She stood unsteadily and glanced around for any sign of familiar faces. "Damon," She called for her husband. Her heart was racing with the fear of the unknown. What had happened?

A soft knock on the door made her jump. The door creaked open and revealed a tall man in a tailored suit. He had an air of elegance about him. His dark hair slicked back, and his piercing eyes held a glint of something Nancy couldn't quite place.

"Ah, you're awake," he said smoothly while stepping into the room with an ease that suggested he was accustomed to command. "I'm Giovanni Martelli. Welcome to my estate."

"Where am I?" Nancy demanded her voice steady despite the uncertainty clawing at her insides.

"Safe, I assure you," Giovanni replied, a charming smile gracing his lips. "You were caught in a rather unfortunate situation. I found you on the water and took the liberty of bringing you here."

Nancy eyed him suspiciously and weighed his words. There was a gentleness in his demeanour that contrasted sharply with the brutal world she had known. "Why would you help me?" Nancy asked. She had her tone laced with suspicion.

"I believe in protecting those who have been wronged," he said, his voice smooth like silk. "Your husband is quite the formidable man, and I must add, I think highly of him."

Nancy's eyes had suspicion were now a little wider. A wave of flurry passed her face. "You know me and my husband? What are the odds you were at the same place we were attacked?"

The man smiled before taking the liberty to have a seat. Of course, it was his house seemingly. She couldn't ask him to get out. But she wanted to take a leave right away. However, something told her she wouldn't be able to.

"Your husband and you are not the only players in this game. And, I'd like to extend my hand to you as a gesture of goodwill." Nancy's expression softened. She wonders if he was suggesting getting on good terms with her husband to save her life. His demeanour too didn't mean any harm.

"Goodwill?" Nancy repeated his words. Her heart was still pounding and not at rest. She felt a flicker of indecisiveness. Almost torn between distrust and a strange comfort in his words. "And what do you expect in return? For saving my life?"

"Nothing at the moment," Giovanni replied with a calculating glint in his eyes. Upon realizing Nancy was trying to be Mrs Anderson in front of him he couldn't help but smile a little at her naivety.

"I only wish to offer you my assistance and perhaps a chance to understand your current predicament better. The world you inhabit is fraught with danger, and I can provide you with resources that might be of value." How he talked as if she was some nine years old girl didn't go well with Nancy. She didn't want anyone to tell her what kind of world she had around her.

Nancy clenched her fists while her mind raced. Even though her husband had immense power he wasn't here. She had to check her anger when she tried. "I understand, but for now..." She wanted to ask him to contact her husband but before she could say further, the door swung open again, and two familiar figures stepped inside.

"Nancy!" Ken exclaimed,

His expression shifted from relief to feigned concern as he rushed toward her. "We thought we lost you!" Nancy froze looking at Ken. Where was she? She looked at that man named Giovanni again. But this time with horror. Was he the man Damon had told her about? The one Robert was looking for in Italy. He was Damon's enemy and if she is standing with Damon. He was her enemy too.

Ken was pressing her against him as if he had missed his sister every moment. Nancy's heart raced at the sight of her brother. His presence was both a comfort of a known face and a reminder of the perilous situation they were in. But it didn't mean Nancy had forgotten anything of what she had to endure at Damon's hands because of Ken. He had betrayed her without a heads up and she wanted to kill him at the sight previously. At least, this is what she told herself she would do. But now when she had met him, she was frozen in shock.

"What's happening?" Nancy demanded pulling away from her brother. Her brother seemed taken aback a little. He wasn't expecting such a question for the first thing from Nancy's mouth.

Finally, when she was getting on good terms with Damon how could she possibly side with her brother who had inflicted a great deal of pain on Damon? Just when she had decided to live her life on Damon's terms her brother had to come. On that, not alone but siding with a man who was Damon's enemy. Her sister's enemy. Didn't Ken know she was an Anderson too now?

"We managed to escape the chaos," Ken said before he took a moment to stare at Nancy. "But you... you were in real danger." Ken's gaze flickered to Giovanni before he extended his hand toward him. "And I see you've met Giovanni. You can trust him, Nancy. He's helped us all these weeks."

Giovanni smiled, his expression disarming. "I simply want to help you find your footing again, Nancy. Your situation is precarious, and I admire your resilience in the face of Damon's wrath."

Nancy noticed the concern in their eyes but still doubts lingered. She somehow could measure what was coming next but was she ready for it?

"What's your interest in all of this?" She asked Giovanni feeling the need to grasp the gravity of the situation. She knew he wasn't merely helping her brother and Aria. Or wanting to help Nancy get out of Damon's claws. He wanted more from her. Maybe some assistant to sabotage Damon's hold. Or the whole Anderson family.

"Your husband, Damon, is a man I respect, but I also recognize the fragility of his position. Helping you is not only about goodwill; it's about ensuring the balance of power remains intact," Giovanni explained his tone respectful yet assertive.

"Speak a language I can understand," Nancy stated with her eyes bulging and mouth firm making Ken intervene. "Do not forget he is protecting us. He is our well-wisher."

"Mine or yours?" Nancy inquired looking back at Ken.

"We aren't separate." Ken groaned pressing her hand.

"Really?..." Nancy jerked his hand away. Her eyes filled with salty water—a tale of betrayal floating in it. "...You didn't remember any of it when you left not even giving me a chance to grasp what had fallen on us?" But then as if Nancy was recalled of something. Without waiting for Ken to explain his side she inquired all of a sudden. "How's Damon? What had happened to him? Is he..." But before she could finish Ken slapped his palm against his head. "Who cares?"

"I hope he is dead already." Aris scoffed and Nancy wanted to say something when Giovanni said, "It would be too soon. He deserves to witness the loss before he dies." It was only now that the reality dawned on Nancy. She was standing somewhere siding with Damon could harm her more. Was it where she changed the sides for her survival again? But what it would make of her? She would be what her brother did—treason. He committed a rebellious act fully knowing what it meant to go against Damon Anderson while living in Sin City.

Nancy's face looked hot and bothered. She breathed heavily turning her face away from Giovanni and Ken. Her heart was racing at the thought of Damon's possible demise but was it where she had to join the other side? She sighed heavily before fisting her hands. She had realized she had to choose her words carefully. Or they would see she had lost something to Damon.

"You are safe here, Nancy." Nancy felt Ken's hands on her shoulder but she closed her eyes and tried to gather herself before she said, "You have no idea how powerful Damon is..." She kept her face away to conceal the turmoil ruining her being and finally gave them what they wanted.

"Really?..." Aria scoffed before continuing. "...How exactly? We have been able to elope right under his nose. And, he hasn't caught us for weeks?" Nancy wanted to tell her how she was able to deceive because someone was trusting her. And, as for looking for them. Damon had been quite distracted by wanting to know and build a relationship with her in the past few weeks. At least, this is what Nancy felt he was doing. He felt genuine. She couldn't undermine what she had seen in his eyes. She knew no one could. He hadn't left her for a moment. And, Nancy now wonders if it was because he was trying to hold onto her tighter. So, she doesn't slip between his fingers like Aria did.

"You have no idea what I have endured at his hands." Nancy sighed and tried to gain their sympathy. And, let her anxiety out that was mostly by the fact that her brother had come with the enemy Damon had been looking for. And, she was standing and breathing the same air as them. Deep inside Nancy knew Damon if alive was looking for her like a madman. She could imagine it already. Nothing seemed to be in her hands anymore. She could do nothing about this situation but wait for the inevitable to take them by storm. Everything was too uncertain at this point.

Nancy turned slowly. Her eyes were down to stop herself from taking in any trigger. Carefully she made her words to retrieve some information about Damon's safety, "But what if he reaches here? For how long your host can host us..." Nancy directed to Giovanni before continuing. "...how much he could put on stake." Nancy didn't look at him. And, Giovanni could see right through her.

"You can be my guest as long as you want. I will protect your life putting mine on the line." There was a hint that Nancy could catch. Giovanni wanted a lot more than he made it seem.

Ken's expression soured slightly while his brow furrowed. He didn't want Nancy to be scared of Damon anymore. Especially when he believed he had gained some kind of power in Giovanni's alliance. "Stop fearing him for God's sake. You are safe now. It wil be better if the news about his death reaches us sooner. The last we heard no one had seen him alive out of the ocean. Sharks must have feasted on him." Ken's tone was heavy with bitterness.

Nancy's face was etched with pure sorrow but Ken held her face and told her. "He is probably no more. You are a free woman, Nancy. A free woman, Nancy."

Nancy held his hands and slowly put them down before gritting. "Don't say anything if you aren't sure." Ken narrowed his eyes. "Have you gone crazy? I can almost mistake you for someone who loves Damon." The statement did take Nancy for a moment before she collected herself.

"How the hell on the earth can I love Damon of all people? How!!!" Nancy shouted before she pulled her hair and turned away. Her heaving back was proof that she had lived horrors with that man. Nancy nodded a little before she slowly dipped her head low. "I...I am not feeling great. I will sleep, please,"

"That would be a better idea," Mr Giovanni was the first one to agree and left her on her own. Aria was the second to follow while Ken stared at her heaving back for a moment before he left her alone too.

"Why? Why? Why? Why?" Nancy murmured wondering what Damon would have felt in his last moments. "Was he looking for her? Was he calling for her? Is he dead?"

Ken's voice boomed in her ears from when he said she was a free woman. "I am no free woman. I am a widow. I am Damon Anderson's widow." But then she looked at the door from where three of them left a moment earlier before she whispered, "And, they know it too."

Nancy was truly at a crossroads. She wonders why was she worrying about Damon. She didn't love him. She sat on the bed but then stood abruptly. Her heart wasn't at rest. She wanted to know about Damon's whereabouts. Ken didn't sound sure. She wonders if anyone is out there looking for Damon. What if he is still in the water? He is crazy enough to still be looking for her.

She paced around the room as if this could answer her anxiety but then looking at her face in the large mirror she stopped. She still had one earring from the last night at the hotel's auction. It was only now she noticed she was wearing a white dress that reached her knees. She recalled how Damon would look at her for so long whenever she would try a new dress.

The image of Damon's eyes filled with pride and admiration made her heart constrict. Only when he was nice to her the fate took him away. She had told herself that she was doing all of it for her survival when she was living with Damon. Then, why did the news of his death feel like a blow she would never recover from?

Nancy couldn't help but sob looking at her reflection. "This can't be happening. I can't be in love with him. He is a devil and no I can't. He was horrible to me. He deserves all of this. Sharks should..." Nancy exhaled before she started breathing in fast. She felt short of breath. She didn't want to shed a tear for the person who had tortured her.

'This! Only remember what a monster he was! He should be dead. And, I am happy.' Nancy told herself believing she was strong enough to cope with this news. But inhaled sharply when all she could recall was how he took a bullet for her instead. He didn't care for his life fighting to keep her safe. For the first time, she felt what her aunt would have felt. She realizes how falling for the wrong person annihilates one. Because she was shattered into a million pieces and the pain was sharper with each breath. Each breath she was able to take because Damon wasn't anymore.

Nancy slowly lowered herself to the floor. Her lips shook taking in the fact that Damon was no more. She hugged herself and wailed for momentarily before she pressed her hand against her mouth. She didn't know why but she would want to die instead of feeling this void that was engulfing her chest—her whole being.

In the evening, Nancy sat at the edge of the bed. She was still in the same outfit. Her thoughts were swirling with conflict. She was barely keeping her emotions in check after learning about Damon's possible demise. Her mind raced between her guilt, fear, and the growing realization of her feelings for the monster she had sworn to manipulate her whole life. Before she could settle her thoughts, a soft knock echoed at the door.

"Signora," a voice called gently from the other side. "Lunch is ready. You are requested at the table." Two other maids followed to bring the darkest shade of black for her to change into. Nancy slowly rose from her place. Her eyes were fixed on the dress. Was it a message from Giovanni? Was Damon dead?

Nancy wiped away the lingering traces of tears and steeled herself for the interactions she dreaded. With a deep breath, she straightened her posture and told the maid she would join them shortly.

After half an hour, Nancy entered the dining hall. The grandiose setting felt oppressively heavy. Nancy's eyes were immediately drawn to Ken and Aria already seated at the table. Both of them appeared comfortable, even at ease, as if they belonged here in Giovanni's world. Ken glanced at her, a half-smile tugging at his lips, but Nancy made no attempt to return it. She was still furious, still haunted by the fact that Ken had abandoned her. And, now had come with a person who was supposed to be his sister's enemy. Whether he was accepting it or not she was an Anderson. And, if Giovanni was after Andersons, it meant they wanted to do something to what her late husband had left behind.

The maid pulled out a chair for her but she hesitated for a moment before sitting down. Her back was stiff with unresolved anger. As the meal began, the tension between her and Ken was palpable. Aria, oblivious or indifferent to the strain, continued to chat casually, though Nancy's mind barely registered her words. She was too focused on controlling her fury and staying silent.

Ken cleared his throat mid-meal, glancing over at Giovanni, who had just arrived and settled at the head of the table. Nancy tensed at his entrance, feeling a chill sweep over her as he commanded the room effortlessly in his composed manner.

"Giovanni," Ken said, his voice dropping into a more serious tone. "I've been talking, and I believe my sister is ready to support your cause. A small price for what you have done to free her." He paused, turning toward Nancy with a knowing look. "She'll stand with us against Damon Anderson."

Nancy's hand froze on her glass of water. The only thing she had accepted from the table so far. Nancy's heart was skipping a beat. Her stomach twisted as Giovanni raised a brow, intrigued. Her brother so casually offered her into Giovanni's schemes. Nancy stared at Ken in disbelief and felt the weight of betrayal settle deeper in her chest.

"Trust me on this, Nancy. This is where we will truly be free. Giovanni can keep us safe against Damon." Ken added, his voice laced with a condescending assurance. "It's the right thing to do."

"The right thing?" Nancy could barely breathe as the words left her mouth. The room grew smaller with each second. Giovanni's calculating gaze remained fixed on her and awaited her response.

But then, a stray comment from Aria pierced through the heavy tension. "And by the way," Aria stuffed salad in her mouth and added nonchalantly, "Damon, he has survived. So, you better choose carefully. I won't go back if I were you."

Nancy's blood ran cold. She should have picked earlier from their conversation. They were mentioning Damon as if he is still a threat.

Ken nodded, picking up on Aria's words. "Yes, he's been searching for you non-stop since the incident. He is very much alive." His voice was indifferent, but the weight of those words sent a sharp pang of relief mixed with fear crashing into Nancy's chest. She wonders when was the last time she felt such relief.

Her heart pounded in her ears. Damon was alive. He was still out there, looking for her, possibly on his way to this very estate. Her hands trembled slightly, but she gripped the table to steady herself.

'What will he do when he finds me? When he discovers Ken here?' Her mind raced as fear gripped her tightly. Everyone was waiting for her response but she seemed lost in her thoughts. As if still analyzing the news.

'No, God, What do I want?' Nancy looked at her brother. Damon wasn't a man to let things slide—especially betrayal. Ken had already hurt Damon deeply by eloping with his fiancée, and now he was aligning himself with Giovanni, Damon's newest enemy. The consequences would be severe. She could already picture Damon's rage, his vengeance. Would he be ruthless? Would he kill Ken? Will he listen to her if she pleads for her brother? She already knew the answer. He won't. He won't give her a chance to plea.

Nancy gasped leaning into the chair. One could read fear on her face. While others believed it was fear of Damon. Nancy was worried for her brother. Or how it would change their lives forever.

She couldn't afford to show her true emotions, though. Not here, not in front of these people. Not when Ken was so blindly feeding her to the wolves. Nancy carefully placed her napkin on the table and stood up. Her face was composed despite the storm raging inside.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I've lost my appetite."

"Of course, you did," Aria leaned into her chair before continuing. "I would do too if I knew the monster is out there. I can still recall how he would torture me." Nancy looked at Aria at the newfound information. Because the moment Damon had toned down his ways with her. He had tried to learn her ways. He had tried to build something. At least, this is what she felt. Nancy had seen Aria quite enjoying his company and swinging her hips into his face when he would visit for her.

Nancy could feel the eyes of everyone at the table on her as she turned and walked away but she didn't stop to look at her back. Her heart raced but her thoughts were spinning wildly as she made her way back to her room. Once she was alone, behind the closed door, she finally let out a shaky breath.

She felt trapped. If Damon found her now, would he still see her as his wife? Or would she be the sister of his greatest betrayer or the woman who had stayed silently in the enemy's house? How would she survive the fallout if Damon came for Ken?

She couldn't let her emotions betray her here. Not in front of Giovanni. Not in front of Ken. Something tells her that the time is running short. She had to choose one side and stick to it. She had to play her cards carefully even when all the odds were against her.

What do you think is coming up? Well, I will tell you right away. The next update. :P