Dengerous Devotion of Love chapter 2

STUDY ROOM

The study is dimply lit, filled with old books, cigars and the smell of power, A fire place burns low The rain outside taps against the tall windows

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*Enter his coat is wet, his face expressionless he walks with calm steps*

Behind a large oak desk sits his father Darin Salvatore Mid 60s, A businessman come ex Mafia king sharp suit, silver hair, a glass of brandy in one hand, he doesn't look up

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*stop in front of the desk*

Alaric salvatore (ML)

Daniel's dead

Alaric salvatore (ML)

He sold our intel to the rival company I ended it tonight

A long silence

darien salvatore (ML father )

*sips his drink still not looking at him*

darien salvatore (ML father )

That rat has a sharp mind, but no spine 🥶 ❄️

darien salvatore (ML father )

*he takes a sip of his drink*

darien salvatore (ML father )

Funny, men like him always think betrayal will buy them something bigger ❄️🥶

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*say nothing*

darien salvatore (ML father )

* still not looking at him*

darien salvatore (ML father )

Do you know why horses are shot when they break their legs?❄️🥶

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*stand with blank yet slit expression*

darien salvatore (ML father )

Because they stop being useful, you don't praise a man for pulling the trigger, you just make sure he doesn't hesitate next time ❄️🥶

Another long pause

darien salvatore (ML father )

*finally look at him*

darien salvatore (ML father )

You're still here ❄️🥶

Alaric salvatore (ML)

* turn without a word and walks out*

Alaric salvatore (ML)

* step out of the study, the weight of his father's indifference still heavy on his shoulder*

someone

*From down the hall, heels click softly on marble*

someone

* appears elegant, wrapped in a long silk shawl, her hair tied back neatly, she walks with effortless grace she sees Alaric..........*

someone

…but doesn't stop.... doesn't flinch*

someone

*No tension, No glance she simply walks past him like he isn't there*

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*quiet* Evening....au..

Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)

*she doesn't answer, her gaze remains forward but as she reaches the door to the study, she calls out -

Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)

You ready, Darien?

darien salvatore (ML father )

*from inside* Always. *smile*

darien salvatore (ML father )

*step out moment later placing a hand on Isabella's back as they begin to walk away together*

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*stand motionless, watching with unrequited emotions*

Alaric stand motionless watching everything, Isabella says nothing to him, Darin doesn't even spare him a glance just before they disappear around the corner, Isabella adjust her shawl barely and says, not looking at him

Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)

Tell the staff to clear the blood from the entrance, it's unpleasant ❄️🥶 * to one of staff*

They are gone

Alaric stand alone now, overlooking the rainy garden, the cold wind brushes his hair, he lights a cigar with steady fingers his eyes remain on the path Isabella walked down

There's no anger in them. Just something softer, Almost nostalgic

IN ROOM

The door creaks open. Alaric Steps in slowly. No lights. Just moonlight bleeding through half-drawn curtains. He shuts the door behind him. Quiet click.

The room is spacious — but cold. Impersonal. A bed. A bookshelf. A suit hanging on a hook. Not a single thing in here looks lived in. He peels off his wet coat, throws it over a chair without looking. Unbuttons his shirt. His hands move slowly — not tired, just… drained. He drops onto the bed, still half-dressed.

Eyes open, staring at the ceiling.

Silence.

For a moment, his mask slips. Just a flicker. Eyes glossy. Jaw tight.

Memories rush in — his mother walking away, his father’s silence, Isabella’s cold elegance brushing past like he was dust in the hallway.

He covers his eyes with his arm. Not to cry. Just to breathe.

Just to exist in a room where no one’s watching — where he doesn’t have to be made of stone.

Alaric salvatore (ML)

(softly to himself) They all leave eventually.

The room stays silent.

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*Lies on his side, eyes half-lidded, the weight of silence pressing down on him.*

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*His breathing slows. Almost asleep*

And then—

A flicker

A faint laugh, not real — just in his head. A flash of a red ribbon in the wind. A smile he hasn’t seen in years.

His brow tightens slightly.

No expression. No words. But his fingers twitch… like they’re trying to hold on to something that isn’t there.

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*He opens his eyes for a second*

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*Stares at the ceiling*

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*Just whispers*

Alaric salvatore (ML)

...her.

Alaric salvatore (ML)

*Then he closes his eyes again*

Sleep takes him. But the memory lingers.