Nobela ni Casper Merci

Alessandro’s eyes snapped to the window, heart pounding. He pushed the curtain aside, breath catching in his throat.There—across the dimly lit clearing that separated their villa from the thick trees at the edge of the island—stood a man dressed entirely in black. Even in the low light, Alessandro could make out the dark cap pulled low over the stranger’s face. The man wasn’t moving. He was just… watching.And then he smiled.It wasn't a kind smile. It was eerie—slow, deliberate, curling like a secret threat. The man let out a soft, raspy chuckle, almost inaudible through the glass, and turned to disappear into the shadows of the trees.Alessandro’s body reacted before his mind could catch up. He threw open the door and bolted down the stairs, barefoot on cold marble, his pulse thudding like war drums. The front door flew open as he burst into the night air, eyes scanning the surrounding darkness.Nothing. No footprints. No sound. Just the distant hum of the waves.“Alessandro?” came

“Come on, Federico, we need to leave. Now,” Alessandro barked, storming out of his room with Aldo close behind, struggling to keep up. His footsteps thundered through the quiet hall, fury practically radiating from his shoulders. The front door slammed behind them.In the kitchen, Roosevelt glanced over his shoulder while scrubbing the last of the dishes. “I wonder what could have rattled him this much…”Antonia, drying a plate in slow circles, sighed. Her eyes flicked toward the window as if searching the wind for answers. “He’s always like this—this storm of emotions. Just when I think I’ve figured him out, he proves me wrong all over again.”Roosevelt turned off the faucet and leaned on the counter. “If you must know, Antonia... Alessandro loves you. He’s just... not great at showing it. Give him time.”Antonia’s hands froze mid-wipe. Her voice dropped, quiet and bitter. “I’m sorry, Roosevelt. But love is the wrong word for whatever Alessandro feels for me.”She set the plate down,

The sun had barely begun to rise over the island estate, casting a golden blush across the kitchen floor. The smell of roasted tomatoes and fresh basil wafted through the air as Roosevelt stirred something lovingly over the stove, humming her favorite love song under her breath.I sat at the table, wrapped in Alessandro’s oversized cardigan—my new comfort blanket—gently rubbing the curve of my belly. My hand was starting to settle there more naturally now. Protectively. Almost like instinct.“You’re glowing today,” Roosevelt said as she set down a warm cup of tea in front of me.Federico walked in with his usual energy, tossing his jacket onto the back of a chair. Aldo followed behind, a file tucked under his arm, though even he looked more relaxed than usual.“Well, someone’s looking radiant,” Federico teased, reaching over to ruffle my hair gently. “Let me guess—you finally got Alessandro to massage your swollen feet?”“Federico!” I swatted his hand away, laughing.“I mean it,” Roos

The sky outside was bruised with twilight when we returned home, the last strands of golden sun retreating behind the hills. The house smelled like warm bread and rosemary. Roosevelt had outdone herself.But Alessandro didn't let me walk in alone.He carried me up the stairs, past curious staff who respectfully looked away, and into our bedroom—his steps careful, like I might break if the floor creaked too loudly beneath us.Once inside, he gently lowered me onto the bed, adjusting pillows behind my back like he’d done it a thousand times. He hovered, unsure, his hands twitching at his sides like he wanted to do more but didn’t know how.“Do you need water?” he asked, voice unusually soft. “Tea? Something sweet?”I blinked up at him. “I’m okay… just tired.”He gave a slow nod, then moved toward the corner of the room, where an armchair sat forgotten. He didn’t sit at first. Just stood there, staring.At me.At my belly.At everything he didn’t know how to say.Finally, he spoke—so qui

"It's my fault," I sobbed into his ear, my voice breaking with every word. "I wished Jelly Bean away… and now—now I’m paying the price."Alessandro’s grip around me tightened as he pushed past the crowd, his voice trembling even as he tried to stay strong for the both of us."Hush, mi amor," he whispered, his breath shaky against my hair. "Everything’s going to be okay. I’ve got you. I’ve got both of you."But then—A searing pain sliced through my abdomen like a blade. I screamed, my body arching in agony."Alessandro!" I gasped, my nails digging into his coat as my legs gave out.He caught me just in time. My world blurred at the edges, spinning faster than my thoughts could keep up with. My head grew light, too light. My eyelids fluttered, heavy as stone, and I clung to him like he was the only thing keeping me tethered to this world.Please… please let Jelly Bean be okay.Darkness swallowed everything.I came to in a sterile hospital room. The scent of antiseptic stung my nose. Ma

“Oh dear…” a smooth voice echoed through the garden, rich with admiration and warmth. “You look like an angel—sent by God Himself just to bless this party.”Antonia turned, surprised by the familiar voice. Federico approached with a charming smile and open arms, his eyes gleaming with genuine joy.“Truly, Antonia,” he said as he reached them, “I’m honored to have you as my sister-in-law. And Mrs. Roosevelt…” He turned to her with heartfelt respect. “I’ve always heard tales of your impeccable taste, but seeing this in person—seeing Antonia glow like this—it’s another thing entirely.”Roosevelt, always modest, gave a small, graceful nod. “Thank you, Federico. She made it easy. Some beauty just needs the right light.”Federico laughed. “Well, Mrs. Roosevelt, I hope one day you’ll work your magic on my future wife. That is, if I ever stop making all these girls think they have a chance.”Roosevelt raised a teasing brow. “Then maybe you should stop stringing them along and actually marry o