Chapter: The EndAlora's POV I was crying again while Marco and Luciano looked at me, both panicked, a tinge of concern all over their faces. Vittoria was laughing her ass off on the couch, and Gianni still seemed unbothered, typing away on his phone while his AirPods filled his ears. Dante marched in, his face already twisted with concern and anger because he suspected what was going on. "What is it, baby?" I jumped into his arms, letting my tears soak his crisp white shirt. I felt sorry for him. He was just about to go to a gala, but at this point, I doubted he was going to go anyway. "What is it, Alora? Who? Just tell me the name." I lifted a shaky finger and pointed at both Marco and Luciano, who were shaking their heads. Once Dante’s eyes fell on them, they both pointed at each other. "It was him, not me!" "I have told you guys to stop. You're grown men, for shit's sake. You know what? You are going to get punished for this." "Wait, what? Come on, Dante, it wasn’t even that serious!" Luci
Last Updated: 2025-03-26
Chapter: Chapter 116Alora's POVI still couldn't believe I had two brothers. And that Bianca was my sister. We looked nothing alike.I was chubby; she was slim. I had black hair; she had blonde. I was good. She was evil.See? Nothing alike.Marco and Luciano, too, took it upon themselves to make me miss growing up with siblings. Yep, you guessed that right—annoying me."Marco, Luciano, if you don't get out of this room, so help me God, I am going to castrate you and feed your balls to my alligator! Get out now!"Vittoria screamed, making them stop snickering and start walking toward the door with their heads bowed.Both of them had something for her—I could feel it. But she hated Luciano and tolerated Marco, according to what she had told me."Luciano, give me the brush before you leave."Marco laughed at Luciano, who pouted and brought out the comb he was hiding in his pocket. They both walked out, and I turned to Vittoria, who huffed.“These men act like children. Tell me, how are they even in the Mafi
Last Updated: 2025-03-25
Chapter: Chapter 115Alora's POV"Wait, what?"The men holding Dante back stepped aside, moving backward with their heads bowed. All the men who had entered with Dad did the same, placing their guns at their sides, leaving the guests to stand up—except for a few, who I now knew were working with Dad.The elders. Not surprising."What the hell is going on? You're supposed to have them at gunpoint until I say we leave. What is happening?""What is happening is that you, Giovanni, have just been outsmarted. You thought you were the most intelligent, you thought you were the wisest, and now what? You have been reduced to nothing. Boys, you can come out now."Marco and Luciano emerged from the corner, Marco giving me a small wink and a nudge on my shoulder."I never wanted to betray you. It was all part of the plan—infiltrate him, get his men on our side, and win," he whispered to me, making me nod, though I was still dazed."Yes, sister, it was tough, but with your help, we managed to do everything as we shou
Last Updated: 2025-03-24
Chapter: Chapter 114Alora's POVNo.It couldn't be.Bianca froze, same as me, and everyone else, as we watched the man I thought was my father—and whom she thought was hers—walk up to us. He had glasses on, but I knew my dad, even if I hadn't seen him for some years, thinking he was dead.His words were still ringing in my mind."One of my children."Daughters? We were his daughters? Bianca was my sister? No. I shook my head. No, it couldn't be."What the hell do you mean, Dad? What do you mean by children? Do you mean...?" Bianca trailed off, disbelief etched on her face."Of course, Bianca. You are a very intelligent girl—catch up quickly. I am your father, and I am Alora's father. Just a few years apart and two different women, and I got both of you." He explained calmly, as if discussing the weather."Wait... so, all my life, when you left saying you were going on business trips, you were with her?" Bianca cried, tears slipping from her eyes.For me, shock was all I could feel—no other emotion. He ha
Last Updated: 2025-03-23
Chapter: Chapter 113Alora's POVI ran my hands over the delicate ends of the mask I was wearing. Black. Paired with a black dress, black shoes. Everything on me was black. The dress was floor-length and hugged my curves.This was never me. I don't think I had ever dressed like this before. But Vittoria said, "The sexier, the wiser." Whatever that meant.I was coming in with Luciano as his date so that no one would suspect who I really was.My black hair was covered up by a blonde wig. Everything about me had changed, and only someone who knew me extremely well would even suspect I was still the same person.Black lip gloss as well. I didn't know if I was going for a Halloween party or a masked party.This ball was by Bianca's father, Giovanni—to celebrate his daughter's engagement to the Italian mafia don. How he thought that was going to happen baffled me.Grand. Elegant. Those were the words to describe the hall. The crowds were gathered, showing off their finest. And thankfully, Vittoria's choice of m
Last Updated: 2025-03-22
Chapter: Chapter 112Alora's POV"Hey, little man, don't scare us like that again," I told Gianni as soon as I sat down by his hospital bed, where he was receiving his last infusion before being discharged.All in the same house."I didn't scare you, but that scary aunt—gosh, I hate her now. She just told me she wanted to show me something, and I followed, a-and—"My heart broke alongside his voice."It's okay, it's okay, don't say any more," I whispered, trying to stop him from talking. That kind of memory should be left behind. How was it that she had planned to kill a kid? It baffled me."Are you feeling any pain? Are you strong? Do you want something? I can get anything for you."Gianni rolled his eyes. Yes, he rolled his eyes at me. Again."Come on, Alora, I'm not dying. I'm just a bit weak, but I'll sleep, and I'll get stronger when I wake up.""If you're weak again, you should eat something. Let me go get something for you, alright?""No, I won't eat now. I'll eat later. Let's just—"A knock on the
Last Updated: 2025-03-21
Chapter: 70-EpilogueAstrid’s POV "Dear Astrid, I know I am still an enemy in your heart. Or maybe you have truly forgiven me, as you said. But I have decided to go far away, to let us all have peace of mind. Why? Because I have tried to move on, but I can't. Somehow, I still have feelings for you. Inasmuch as I worked with your sister against you, I just couldn't get rid of them. I had to pretend when I was helping you, just so you would allow me to keep you safe. I will come back. Of course, I have to. But that will only be when I am sure that I have moved on 100% from you. I am also sorry for planting the bomb in that car. I know you blamed yourself for their deaths. Please don't. It was going to happen either way. Take care of yourself and your baby. I love you, Astrid. I am not expecting you to say it back, ever. But I just want you to know that I do. Bye, Astrid." * I closed the letter, feeling a tear drop onto my hand. Adrian had been of much help, and I think he was doing the right thing b
Last Updated: 2025-03-31
Chapter: 69Astrid's POV The police cars had barely parked when I was rushing inside, ignoring the calls for me to come back. I was beyond reasoning today. All I needed was to make sure Damien was safe. How? No idea, but I was going to stop them today, even if it meant killing my own father. As I ran through the living room and took the corridor leading to Damien's office, my steps halted as Tiffany and Arthur came rushing down the corridor. Tiffany held him up as he limped. They hadn't seen me yet, so I hid behind the wall. To my side, there was a golden vase on the floor. God bless Damien for keeping antiques like this around. With much difficulty, I lifted it and held it, listening closely so I didn't miss my target. As they came barreling down the corridor, I lifted the vase and, with all my strength, hit it hard against Tiffany's head. She fell to the ground, unconscious. If she was dead, then it was good because what was going to happen to her if she didn't die from this was going to be
Last Updated: 2025-03-31
Chapter: 68Damien's POVI woke up to muffled voices and movement. Blinking through the haze, I saw Arthur and Tiffany standing close together.It was real. Not a dream.My own mother was siding with Arthur.What in the world?My eyes trailed down to Arthur’s legs, noticing that his previously wounded leg was now patched up and bandaged. A bit sloppy, but still okay.I cursed the heavens at that moment for making my mother a nurse before she married Dad. Now, with her helping his injuries, she could help them escape, and I would have no way to fight back."Ugh."Shut. My groan alerted them, and they turned to look at me."Hey, son. You’re awake?" Tiffany smirked. "You should get some rest. You’ll need your strength."Arthur nodded, stepping beside her as she walked toward me.My stomach churned, and I clenched my fists. I had to find a way out of this.I struggled to support myself and stand, but only then did I notice that my hands were tied behind my back. Liquid dripped from my head, and when
Last Updated: 2025-03-31
Chapter: Chapter 67Damien's POVLike music to my ears were the groans of Arthur Marshall as he clutched his wounded leg while glaring daggers at me from where he lay on the floor. He had broken in, expecting to take me unaware.Astrid had broken me. After her departure, I had become a mess, going as far as drinking alcohol and doing things I had promised never to do. Luke, seeing that, reduced the amount of security in the house. First mistake.One day, I came home, and the bodyguards tried to help me. In anger, I decided to relieve all of them from duty for a few weeks, just until I could get Astrid home. So I gave them a much-celebrated vacation, which they took. And that was where my self-torture skyrocketed.I didn’t even show up at the office but spent my days indoors, working in my home office tirelessly and then drinking myself to sleep. That was the routine. And that was how Arthur found me.Luckily, Luke was wise enough to leave some cameras in my house, connected to the office. That was how he
Last Updated: 2025-03-27
Chapter: 66Astrid’s POVToday was D-Day.Adrian had let me go to his house, a mansion in the middle of the city—much smaller than Damien’s, but it would have to do. Since Grandmother didn’t know where Damien lived exactly, she wouldn’t know I wasn’t at his place and that this was all a plan. The police were on standby, cameras set; she had to confess whether she knew it or not.“My beautiful grandbaby, look at you! You’re so healthy and happy—you look fat,” Grandma greeted as soon as she walked through the door.“Hi, Grandma. Nice to meet you.” The words felt bitter on my tongue, but I had to pretend to be happy to see her.After that day, Damien didn’t leave me alone. Every day, he kept disturbing me, so I had to move out of that house to somewhere else, which he still found—telling me there was no way he was letting me and his baby go."Co-parent my foot." Those were his exact words to me.It was only because of Luke’s intervention that he didn’t carry me back home. Thank God he didn’t, or els
Last Updated: 2025-03-26
Chapter: 65Astrid's POVLying over the toilet seat had become a habit of mine. Even after leaving Damien's house and going to the small apartment Adrian had rented since I refused anything too extravagant, I couldn't keep anything down. I was booked for a doctor's appointment tomorrow, and so I decided to just drink a lot of water to replenish whatever I was losing. But from the looks of things, I could go to the doctor today.The thought of Damien and Fiona currently kissing or doing something else–it was nighttime, so maybe they were wrapped in the sheets already–filled my head, making me restless.Each time I closed my eyes to sleep, their faces would pop into my mind. Damien's first making me smile, and then Fiona reminding me that I had lost him forever.As I finally stood up from my spot on the ground, Adrian knocked on the door."Astrid? Come on, there's something you need to see."I groaned. Couldn't a pregnant, heartbroken woman rest?"What is going on, Adrian?" I asked. I just wanted t
Last Updated: 2025-03-25
Chapter: Chapter 72Elara's POVUncle Damien and Dad are nervous, glancing at each other with wide eyes and panicked gazes. Of course, they should be. It's not every day someone overhears you discussing marriage when they don't even have a boyfriend. So what marriage are they talking about?“Dad, Uncle, what do you guys mean by marriage? Who is there to marry? Did I hear you wrong? I'm sorry for eavesdropping. I know it's wrong, and I shouldn't have been doing it, but…”Dad stands up and comes beside me, trying to talk to me. Instead, I step back. A look of hurt flashes in his eyes.“Hey, don't be like this, honey. I'll explain everything.”“Yes, that's why I'm asking you to explain first, Dad. You're not going to hush me and make me forget what I heard. No, you're going to tell me who is getting married, to whom, and why you guys are quarreling about it.”Of course, I heard them call my name, but I chose to believe that it was a mistake. Maybe his tongue slipped, and he said what he shouldn't have.“Ela
Last Updated: 2025-02-22
Chapter: Chapter 71Lorenzo's POVNicola sits across from me as we arrange some files for the meeting we are about to have. Work has been piling up since I didn't have time to come in when I was hospitalized.Thank God he has been there to help me out a great deal. He's a true friend, and I owe him. Not that I'm going to tell him. He's going to use it to his advantage and make me do something I'll probably regret. I'm not stupid.However, even as we work with tons of papers lying in different areas of my normally clean, neat office, a thought keeps bugging me in my head. Something just seems wrong. I don't know what it is, but I can't wrap my head around it. Sophia?Nicola seems to notice that I am absent-minded because he stops working and leans back in his seat, placing his hand on his chin."And what has got your mind far away from here that I asked you a question and you can't answer?"I gaze at him, wondering if maybe he knows the answer to my question. He's my best friend and the only one I can tal
Last Updated: 2025-02-21
Chapter: Chapter 70Elara's POV"Dad?" I call him again when he doesn't respond to my question.He looks to be in a daze for a few seconds before shaking his head. "It's nothing, darling. I was just talking to someone from the office.""Dad, you're still in the hospital bed, and you're already talking about work? For real, you should rest. I'm pretty sure you can't wait to get out of here and go to the office," I tell my dad, my hands on my waist."Of course, my bossy daughter. I'm going to rest well and enjoy myself. By the way, I already know my company is in capable hands. Oh, who am I kidding? The company is already yours.""Well, you can always take it back, Dad. The workload is killing me," I chuckle.Dad laughs along and tells me to sit by his bedside. When I do, he holds my hand in his. His plasters and bandages have already been taken off, and he's almost good to go, as the doctor told us. So, we should be leaving tomorrow."I'm so proud of who you've become, Elara. In such a short time, you've
Last Updated: 2025-02-04
Chapter: Chapter 69Elara’s POVIt's official.Today has been the weirdest day of my life.From finding out about Lorenzo's accident, to being threatened by his dad, to discovering he has a family, then realizing my dad faked his coma, learning that Lorenzo’s son is being abused by his girlfriend—who was supposed to have died eight years ago—and now hearing Lorenzo ask who I am... I don’t think any day in my life can beat this.Whether in the past or future.Not even the day I stole the billionaire's wallet.Or maybe I'm just going crazy.Because why else would Lorenzo ask me who I am? We've dated for almost five months, plus we knew each other for more than a year before that.My hand flies to cover my mouth, my heart hammering in my chest. I can't believe Lorenzo just asked me that. Am I dreaming or something?"Uh, Lorenzo, what do you mean by that? Is this a joke or something? It's not really funny, you know." I chuckle humorlessly, observing his face for any signs of laughter, no matter how subtle.W
Last Updated: 2025-02-03
Chapter: Chapter 68Elara's POV"No! Please don't tell her, she'll kill me. Please, Auntie Elara, please." He trembles, the words spilling out of his lips without control."Auntie Elara, please," he keeps begging while I stand frozen, fisting my hands and preparing to bound into that room or to wherever Sophia is and kill her.I briskly walk away from him, making sure my foot doesn’t make any noise against the floor. When I get to the glass panel, I look into the room, noticing that Lorenzo is fast asleep, machines tied up to his body.There is no sign of Sophia. She is not here.Ethan's shaky voice sounds from behind me. "But Auntie Elara, please, you cannot tell her that I have told you. I'm pretty sure she will kill me. I'm so sorry."So it is true. She is abusing her own son. How pathetic and disgusting.Glancing at the little boy and his trembling and shaking figure, I know I can't resist. If he is this scared, she must have threatened him with something.I'll get everything out of him, then I'll ma
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Chapter: Chapter 67Elara's POVDad pales, and Uncle Damien looks visibly shaken up, his face ashen white. Good. They're scared. Just as they should be after making me believe that Dad was in a coma for so long. How were they even able to pull this off without me suspecting anything?I guess they used the fact that I was heartbroken from Lorenzo's and my breakup to their advantage."Princess, you were still here?" Uncle Damien asks, walking to hug me. "I thought you already went home."Is that why you let your guard down? The question comes so close to my lips, but I hold back from asking it. I'll let them think I didn't hear anything."I did, but couldn't sleep, so I decided to come spend the night here," I respond calmly, noticing how they exchange nervous looks. It almost makes me chuckle, but I hold it in, knowing I can't blow my cover."Dad!" I exclaim out of the blue, hurrying towards his bed and engulfing him in a hug, which is easy because he's sitting in a high Fowler's position. Even though the
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Chapter: Chapter 85Ava's POVWe sat in one of Mr. Blackwell’s lush, elegant vehicles. Three cars were ahead of us, and four more trailed behind. This kind of power never went without heavy security. Unfortunately, that was one of the downsides.However, the last thing on my mind was his cars—I had more important things to worry about.For instance, how he had managed to get those pictures of Natalia. Had they been photoshopped?I had known my sister for a while, and even though I had been away at school for half of our lives, one thing I was sure of was that she wouldn’t become promiscuous.No, she would rather date one man at a time, and if things didn’t work out, she would move on to another.So what exactly had pushed her into that—if it was true? Something must have caused it."And what has my angel's mind far away?" Grandpa Blackwell’s voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts."Oh, I’m sorry, I was just—""You don’t have to apologize. Thinking is pretty normal. I just don’t want you to dwell o
Last Updated: 2025-04-09
Chapter: Chapter 84Ava's POVGasps echoed around the massive living room after the declaration had been made. I swiveled around, my eyes landing on the most powerful figure I had ever seen—Liam's grandfather.No. Not Liam's dad's parents.No. This man walking in with a black suit and hat, holding a walking stick more expensive than the dress I was wearing, was the Mr. Blackwell. The powerful father of Elena Blackwell. The man whose name made grown men shit their pants.He was the one who had spoiled my husband so much and made him become the great CEO he currently was. And he was currently walking into the Patel mansion, commanding attention like he owned the place. No. This place was definitely beneath him.My mother—Charlotte Patel's businesswoman side—took over, and she rushed forward, her eyes darting nervously, her mind probably wondering what was going on that had brought this man here.It seemed like everyone had forgotten what he had said a few seconds ago. All the wealthy elites started arrang
Last Updated: 2025-04-08
Chapter: Chapter 83Ava's POV"Jim?""Hey, Ava."Natalia's husband smiled, leaning against the doorframe while watching me—the same way his wife had been. Only this time, his smile was more genuine than hers.I scrambled to get up from the bed, clutching the photo album I held against my chest as if he had tried to take it from me. This caused his eyes to glow with humor."How have you been, Ava? When you came in, I didn’t have time to really greet and welcome you.""I'm fine, Jim. Thank you for asking," I said. Goosebumps rose on my skin from the way his eyes were softly raking over my body. Maybe he didn’t know, but I noticed."I think it's time I leave now, Jim.""Oh, sure, let me walk you out then. But so soon? You haven't even spent time with us, Ava. You know this isn't how family is supposed to be. This rocky relationship isn't helping."I didn’t respond. He mentioned a rocky relationship, so what was he implying? That I should go chit-chatting and dining with my enemies just because they were fam
Last Updated: 2025-04-07
Chapter: Chapter 82Ava's P.O.V.Dad's memorial was nothing like I'd expected. I thought it would be a family affair, with just us family members and a few close friends present. But as I alighted from Carlos' vehicle, my eyes met a sea of people, dressed in black, walking in and out of the mansion.Annoyance seeped through my veins immediately. None of these people had been there when Dad was paralyzed and dying. Neither did they show up when he died. But here they are today, all because the final declaration of his will is to be read.I know many are here for the drama. My rocky relationship with Mom and Natalia is definitely not a secret.Well, too bad for them. I don't plan on giving them any drama. I came here today to get some of my important stuff from Dad's room, and I'm out."Are you sure you don't want me to tag along, Ava? You know you're not supposed to be stressed out now," Carlos asked from the driver's seat, staring at me through the window.I had rounded the car already, about to go in. I
Last Updated: 2025-04-06
Chapter: Chpater 81Ava's POVI blinked twice, staring at her with my mouth dropping to the floor.What?Mom ran a hand through her hair, her eyes filling with tears."I'm sorry, Ava. I really am, okay? I never meant to do any of this. The thing is, I'm so sorry. I just... I have no excuse for treating you the way I did. Liam would be so disappointed in me right now. So disappointed. Please forgive me, my darling."She walked closer to me, but I stepped backward, shaking my head."You're not serious, right? You think you can just waltz in here, tell me sorry, and then I'll just forgive you? For goodness' sake, you accused me of killing my husband, the man I love, the man whose baby is in me. Mom, do you think that is something that can easily be forgiven?"She shook her head."No, Ava. I know it cannot be easily forgiven. And I am not expecting you to forgive me easily. I am not. But at this point, I just want you to know something—that I look at myself like the worst mother in the world. I know you had
Last Updated: 2025-04-05
Chapter: Chapter 80Ava's POV"Yes, Mrs. Blackwell."The lawyer smiled, as though he wasn't sensing the tension in the room. "Mr. Blackwell asked me to make sure you took over his company. He said you deserved it for all the hard work you've put in during the short while you've been there. And also, of course, his dad is old but will still be helping you learn the ropes of things.""Meanwhile, his heir will take over when he or she is of age," the lawyer said, gesturing to my stomach.But my mind still wasn't at rest. Dom's reaction had been very unusual. And I think everyone knew it, too, because Mom and Dad exchanged glances before Dad cleared his throat."Domenico, son, is everything okay?"He just kept glaring at me until, after a few seconds, he huffed and stomped out of the living room, his footsteps echoing loudly on the floor. A few minutes later, the screeching of tires sounded outside as his car roared to life and sped out of the gates of the compound.The tension in the air was so thick it cou
Last Updated: 2025-04-04
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