THE CARETAKER BRIDE
Blurb:
Nicolas Pov:
I’ve built my life on control, power, and ruthless decisions. I never wanted to rely on anyone—especially not her. Isabella is young, full of hope, and entirely too naive for this world. I didn’t expect her to become someone I couldn’t ignore. But here she is, stepping into my life, challenging everything I’ve worked for. She doesn’t belong in my world, yet she makes it harder to push her away. I’ve lived in shadows long enough to know better, but something about her light makes me question everything. Still, the world I live in is too dangerous, and trust is a luxury I can’t afford.
Isabella Pov:
I never imagined this life. Married to a man who is more scarred than I could have ever known, his world of darkness and danger closing in every day. I didn’t sign up for this, yet here I am, holding my ground. Nicolas might think I’m naive, but I see the man behind the mask. He doesn’t know how to love, but I refuse to let that stop me. I won’t run, even if I’m constantly surrounded by threats and lies. This world doesn’t scare me, but what Nicolas won’t let me see—his pain, his demons—that’s what I’m fighting to understand. I didn’t come into this to save him, but maybe it’s time he lets me in.
Read
Chapter: CHAPTER 5The door slammed loudly behind me, and I let out a long shaky breath, trying to shake off the chill Nicolas had left in me. His eyes, that cold, intense gaze of his, lingered in my mind like a scarred memory. The nerve of him—ordering me to change my wardrobe, like I had no say in the matter, like what i could wear was a choice he could make. How dare he? He wasn’t my father, and he sure as hell wasn’t my boss. But somehow, in that moment, it felt like he was both. I had barely closed my bedroom door when my mother’s voice rang through the house, snapping me out of my thoughts. “There you are! Where have you been?” she called, marching into the room her heels clicking fast on the floor. “Get in the closet, we need to get you ready. For God’s sake, Isabella, what are you wearing?”Before I could even react, she was already tugging at the fabric of my dress, pulling me toward the walk-in closet with an urgency that left no room for argument. I didn’t resist. My body moved like it was
Last Updated: 2024-12-03
Chapter: CHAPTER 4:Nicolas pov I tried to make sense of the situation before me, as I stared at the girl before me. She looked back at me with wide, uncertain eyes, her lips slightly parted like she was waiting for me to say something. For a moment, I couldn’t place her. Then, it hit me—Isabella Rizzo, she's my future wife.Interesting.I studied her, my gaze moving from her bare feet up to her legs, covered in a faded denim dress, and then to her flowery top, which seemed more appropriate for a teenager than a woman about to marry into my kind world. Her hair, long and wavy, cascaded down her shoulders, but it was the bangs she still wore that caught my attention. There was something almost... charming about them.Beside me, Faro was clearly trying to stifle his laughter, but I wasn’t in the mood for amusement. Isabella had just called me “sir,” and it didn’t sit right with me at all.She shifted uncomfortably, clearly feeling the heavy weight of my stare. When I didn’t move, she stiffened and finally met my gaze,
Last Updated: 2024-12-03
Chapter: CHAPTER 3:Isabella povMom had made it clear that to me, that i wasn’t to meet Nicolasuntil our official introduction at dinner. I was supposed to stay in my room all afternoon like a good girl while my parents and supposed future husband discussed my future as if i were a child with no right to choices.I was dressed in my favorite denim overall dress, with a white tank top adorned with sunflowers beneath it, i patiently waited until i heard the bell. I took off my shoe and walked barefoot, moving quietly, creeping toward the upper landing and avoiding the creaky boards. I knelt down, making myself self as small as possible, and peered through the banister. From the sound of voices and my mum high pitched feminine greeting, my parents were exchanging pleasantries with the two men. My father appeared first, smiling his business smile, followed by her mother, who radiated delight. Then two men entered my field of view.It wasn’t hard to guess which one was Nicolas. He towered over her father and the other m
Last Updated: 2024-12-03
Chapter: CHAPTER 2 During dinner, I noticed my father was completely distracted, his gaze resting on me, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't bring himself to. My mother, on the other hand, looked like she’d just received an invitation to an exclusive Chanel summer sale.I waited for my father’s permission to leave, after i finished my meal. My mind was already drifting to the painting I’d spent hours on that morning. It was a project I’d been immersed in, especially now that I’d graduated high school, finally giving my creative side some space to breathe.Then suddenly my dad cleared his throat rather loudly. “We need to have a talk with you,” he said.My pulse quickened. The last time he’d used those words was when he’d told me my fiancé had been killed in a Bratva attack. The news hadn’t affected me as deeply as I thought it would have; we’d only met once, years ago, and there was no connection between us. In short, i was somewhat grateful; the universe just wasn't in his position that day.
Last Updated: 2024-12-03
Chapter: CHAPTER 1I stood there, frozen, my hands stained with blood. It clung to my skin like a scar that wouldn't fade. My eyes drifted to Gaia's lifeless body, her once vibrant presence now absent like an empty shell. My heart pounded in my ears, and I could feel my breath shaking as I took a step back. I closed the door quietly, ensuring that Daniele wouldn’t walk in and find her lifeless body. He didn’t need to see this. No one did.The sight of the red roses, discarded beside Gaia's body, hit me like a slap to the face. It was just as red as the blood that stained the sheets beneath her. I dialed my father’s number, the sound of it ringing a little too loud, and too harsh in the silence of the room.“Father,” I spoke, my voice urgent, emotionless, and hollow. I had no room for grief. Not now. Not ever. “Gaia is dead.”The silence that followed, was long, and unbearable. Then my father’s voice sliced through it, tight and strained. “Can you repeat that?”“Gaia is dead,” I said it again, the word
Last Updated: 2024-12-03