Novel-novel oleh MARY JUDY

Elara kept her distance. Since their last confrontation, she had been careful—avoiding Marco in every possible way. At the dining table, she avoided his gaze. She always kept a few steps away and spoke only when necessary. She even had Léo replace her as the one who brought Marco his tea.Marco, who had grown used to seeing her in those quiet moments, found himself expecting her presence. But she never showed up.Now, he was pissed.Who did she think she was to avoid him? Did she really believe she could win this game? She’d be foolish to think so.Yet, despite his frustration, Marco sensed something deeper. She wasn’t keeping her distance out of fear. It was something else.And he felt it.She had made up her mind—whether to test his obsession or to prove something to herself, he wasn’t sure. But she was playing a dangerous game.She was toying with him, whether she realized it or not. The way she avoided him, the way her lips parted slightly before she bit them, the way her hands tr

Léo quietly walked out of Elara’s room, gently closing the door behind him with a soft click.His every movement was measured and intentional, as though he recognized the importance of maintaining silence in that moment.He didn’t look back.Elara, on the other hand, couldn’t move.She sat against the door, shaking as she tried to calm her breathing. Marco's words kept repeating in her mind:“I own you. Bought and paid for. You don’t make plans, you don’t make choices, and you don’t leave.”His words felt heavy in her chest, making it hard to breathe. She had tried to endure it, but she couldn’t keep living this way.Her father had sold her to Marco, reducing her to a mere commodity.But she knew the brutal truth: she alone held the power to save herself. No one else would. She was a human being, for crying out loud!She deserved to make her own choices—to breathe without Marco's suffocating control.She would rather die than be his pawn.The thought hit her clearly and hard. It wasn’

Marco finally had his shipments back. Thanks to Rosina’s father, who accompanied Marco to the officials who could help release his goods, the deal went through.Despite his better judgment, Marco accepted their help. He understood, though, that favors like this came at a cost.Rosina would want something in return, and he knew she always got what she wanted.The thought of it left a sour feeling in his stomach as he entered the house.The silence inside felt heavy, almost suffocating.Tension clung to him, and even though the long night of negotiations had ended successfully, he didn’t feel relieved.There was no sense of victory.As he slowly climbed the stairs, his fingers traced the cool banister, each step quiet and careful.Years of living on the edge had taught him to always listen carefully—to be aware of what others wanted to hide.A distant clock ticked in the hallway, a constant reminder that time was slipping away from him.Then he heard Elara’s voice.It was soft and distan

Marco's POVI stood in my office, staring at the stacks of paperwork on my desk. My shipment still hadn’t arrived, and the customs officials were ignoring my demands. My patience was running thin.This wasn’t just about business anymore—it was an insult. And I didn’t take insults lightly.I turned from the window, my thoughts dark. There was always a solution. A simple one—violence. I could send my men, take my goods, and leave Ferraro with a reminder of why no one crossed me.It was not the most subtle of doing it, but it was effective. And it would settle things quickly.My thoughts were shattered by the click of heels echoing down the hall. The door swung open without a knock, and I didn't need to turn to know who it was. Rosina. Her dramatic entrance was unmistakable, and I only needed to brace myself for what was to come.She entered with her usual poise, a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. The smile that had been her mask for years. "Marco," she said smoothly, feigning co

Marco’s POVThe morning air was cold, but I barely felt it. The pounding in my skull was far worse. Whiskey clung to my tongue, leaving behind a bitter taste. I hated this feeling—hungover, sluggish, out of control.Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rolled my shoulders, working out the stiffness. Last night was a blur. I could barely remember making it upstairs, but Elara had filled in the blanks for me earlier."You were drunk, sir. I helped you up the stairs. Your door wouldn’t open, so I let you sleep in my room."That was all she said. And me? I hadn’t cared enough to question it.Because it didn’t matter.What mattered was my business.My shipment had been seized, and I was wasting time.I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and dialed Vittorio. It didn’t even ring twice before he picked it up."Capo," he greeted, his voice sharp and awake."Updates." I didn’t have the patience for small talk."We’ve been working on it. The officials who took the shipment are demanding a bigger

Elara sat up quickly in her bed, struggling to catch her breath with her heart racing uncontrollably. It was as though she had just woken up from a nightmare but this time, it was all too real.Her head moved with deliberate slowness as fear gripped her about what she might find. Marco was still there.His dark lashes brushed his cheekbones as he lay on her bed while his chest moved in deep rhythmic breaths. He appeared peaceful beyond belief as though the events of the previous night never happened. Her eyes fell upon the slender blanket resting on her legs and her stomach twisted with force. The deep bloodstains on the blanket seemed to stare back at her and her breath caught in her throat.It wasn't a dream, it's all real.Everything that happened last night—his lips, his touches, and his weight pressing her into the mattress—it all really happened.Her eyes clenched shut with intense force as she wished to awaken from the threatening nightmare. But upon opening her eyes she fo