Blood ran cold in my veins. With a drop of tear rolling down my cheek, I stood there frozen. My heart slowed down for a moment before it started pounding against my ribcage. My hands shook at my sides realizing who was standing before me. Vincenzo Zolvesky.The man I was running from was waiting in my own house. My legs stumbled back, the cold doors hit my back, leaving me no escape. "You…" Words stuck in my throat. "W-what are you doing here? How dare you come to our house!" The side of his lips tugged upwards into a smirk. "Is that how you greet your guests, Miss. Brooks? Or should I say…Mrs. De Sylvano? That's the title Duncan De Sylvano used in that hospital after all." Something dropped inside me. H-how did he know what happened in the hospital? Did he…have someone to keep an eye on us? They were following us from the hospital? That's how they knew we went to the wedding. It explained why his men roamed among the guests hiding their identities. They were waiting for the ri
Blinding flashes sparked from down the stage from the darkness. Cheers and whistles made the night awake while the slow music urged me to move further. The spotlight moved with me as I walked down the ramp with the red princess gown flowing around me, my hair swayed gently with the whoosh of air. I walked with utmost confidence and a bright smile, while my heart palpitated at the dark gaze that devoured me from somewhere in the audience. Goosebumps spread across my skin with a pair of flaming eyes set on me like a predator. And then I found myself falling from the stage and wrapped into a pair of strong arms. Intoxicating masculine crisp cologne surrounded my senses. Dark icy blue eyes stared down at my amber ones with a look that made my heart skip. Suddenly I found myself in a nightclub, pressed against the wall by a furious Italian billionaire. His lips were inches away from me. "A kiss?" I heard myself whispering. The location again changed and I stood in the middle of a hall
His grip on my waist tightened. I felt him taking a deep breath against my neck, his entire form was tense. "Those guards you saw weren't our men, they were his. As we shifted to the villa, De Sylvano Mansion wasn't guarded by many guards. So it was easy for him to take them down and replace his men. And he did all of that the moment you sent me the message." The message? I remembered Vincenzo mentioning it. He had hacked my mobile and somehow stopped my communication with everyone. If not for Ron and the guards following me, they wouldn't have known where I was heading to. A chill ran down my spine thinking what could have happened if Syl hadn't arrived there on time. "That bastard had his men set among the guests in the wedding," Syl continued. "He was planning to attack while distracting us with his fake location. He knew I would send Ron and some of my men there to grab him and it would make it easier for him to attack. But when…" Dark icy blue eyes met mine. "When I left
My intense glare didn't bring any changes to the man's stoic features at all. I tried with my puppy eyes earlier, but I failed. Now my glare was in vain too. The loud music blasted across the nightclub, colorful lights moved around. The beat compelled into moving the body. But there was no smell of sweat, perfume and alcohol like a typical nightclub should.Why? Because there was not a single person in this whole place other than the bartenders, the bodyguards outside and my freaking Italian royal prince, who stood before me! After being away from parties and drinks, being seven months pregnant, I had an intense craving to go and enjoy the night in a nightclub. But this brute wouldn't allow it! I knew alcohol wasn't good for pregnancy, but a few sips wouldn't hurt! My hormones wanted it. I knew how to avoid being careless. And he complied to my eager request, only to vacant an entire nightclub and remove all the alcohol from the place. Only music and juices were available. "How da
I took a deep breath before opening my eyes. Butterflies stormed in my stomach furiously while my heart raced down my chest. The music from the church and the chatters of people flowing to my ears made my palms clammy. "Are you nervous, Cassie?" Em asked. While my other best friend smirked at me. "I thought you were the most excited bride of the century. But it seems like, you're just like an ordinary girl like us too, soft and emotional." "Shut up, Beth!" I shot her a glare. "I'm not nervous!" I denied. Liar! Syl suggested we hold our wedding after the delivery, but I couldn't wait. I already waited for months before finally convincing Syl that I was healthy enough to go through all the arrangements. Growing up, I never believed in love and marriages. But now, after having him in my life, I didn't want anything else more than I wanted to marry that brute of mine. Somehow…it became my dream. To have him as my husband and tie us together for the rest of our lives. But now that t
"Taxi!" Raising my hand, I ran behind the yellow car. With the only pair of modest looking high heels I had on my hand, I received some weird looks from the passersby. "Hey, wait!" But again, another freaking driver ignored me and went on their way. I glanced down at my wrist. Six forty five. Damn it! I needed to reach the venue before seven PM! The show will start at eight. I won't get any time to get ready! God! Why did I forget to book an Uber? My phone blared in my purse. Getting it out, I saw Chad's number flashing on the screen. "Cassie, where are you? All the girls are already here and in the make up room. You know Elizabeth. She doesn't tolerate tardiness!" His voice sounded distant over the hubbub of people in the background. "I'm just on my way. Don't worry, I will be there on time." "Alright. Be quick." As the line went dead, another taxi came into my view. Before the car could come near me, I jumped on its way. Kicking on the break, the taxi screeched to
As soon as I unlocked the door, I was pushed back some steps with the force it burst open. Three men in rugged clothes and skin filled with tattoos barged in."What the hell?" I gasped at their sudden intrusion. I should have seen who it was through the peephole before opening the door. "Why are you barging into my house? Who the hell are you?" "Don't remember me, chica? I thought we had a good talk over the phone last Monday," the man in the middle said. The smell of alcohol entered my nostrils.My brows frowned. "What are you…"Then the conversation hit my memory lane. My fists clenched. "You remembered now?" With a raised brow, he raked his bloodshot eyes over my body. "I told you to send me my money by Friday. And it's Saturday now. Where is the money?" His tone turned harder with each word. "And if you don't remember, let me rephrase it again. I WON'T give you a single penny. Now get out of my apartment!" I held his gaze, pointing towards the door."Of course, you will!" S
The first thing I heard after getting my senses back was the beeping of some machine. Blinking against the bright light, I opened my eyes. A silent groan left my lips at the pain that shot through my head as soon as I tried to move.White walls. Blue curtains. A doctor stood at the corner of the room in her white uniform, explaining something to a nurse.Hospital? Why the hell I was in a hospital?The pain in my head… Then memories from earlier the day rushed in. The court, Todd Samuelson and then the… accident!Frantically, I tried to feel every inch of my body. Other than my head, thankfully everything seemed alright."Cassie! Oh thank God! I was getting crazy thinking why you aren't up yet!" Beth's voice snatched my eyes to the door.With a cup of coffee in her hand, she rushed in. Only then the doctor noticed that I got my consciousness back. "How are you feeling now, Miss. Brooks?"Beth sat on the chair beside the bed."My head is throbbing," I croaked out."You have hit your h
I took a deep breath before opening my eyes. Butterflies stormed in my stomach furiously while my heart raced down my chest. The music from the church and the chatters of people flowing to my ears made my palms clammy. "Are you nervous, Cassie?" Em asked. While my other best friend smirked at me. "I thought you were the most excited bride of the century. But it seems like, you're just like an ordinary girl like us too, soft and emotional." "Shut up, Beth!" I shot her a glare. "I'm not nervous!" I denied. Liar! Syl suggested we hold our wedding after the delivery, but I couldn't wait. I already waited for months before finally convincing Syl that I was healthy enough to go through all the arrangements. Growing up, I never believed in love and marriages. But now, after having him in my life, I didn't want anything else more than I wanted to marry that brute of mine. Somehow…it became my dream. To have him as my husband and tie us together for the rest of our lives. But now that t
My intense glare didn't bring any changes to the man's stoic features at all. I tried with my puppy eyes earlier, but I failed. Now my glare was in vain too. The loud music blasted across the nightclub, colorful lights moved around. The beat compelled into moving the body. But there was no smell of sweat, perfume and alcohol like a typical nightclub should.Why? Because there was not a single person in this whole place other than the bartenders, the bodyguards outside and my freaking Italian royal prince, who stood before me! After being away from parties and drinks, being seven months pregnant, I had an intense craving to go and enjoy the night in a nightclub. But this brute wouldn't allow it! I knew alcohol wasn't good for pregnancy, but a few sips wouldn't hurt! My hormones wanted it. I knew how to avoid being careless. And he complied to my eager request, only to vacant an entire nightclub and remove all the alcohol from the place. Only music and juices were available. "How da
His grip on my waist tightened. I felt him taking a deep breath against my neck, his entire form was tense. "Those guards you saw weren't our men, they were his. As we shifted to the villa, De Sylvano Mansion wasn't guarded by many guards. So it was easy for him to take them down and replace his men. And he did all of that the moment you sent me the message." The message? I remembered Vincenzo mentioning it. He had hacked my mobile and somehow stopped my communication with everyone. If not for Ron and the guards following me, they wouldn't have known where I was heading to. A chill ran down my spine thinking what could have happened if Syl hadn't arrived there on time. "That bastard had his men set among the guests in the wedding," Syl continued. "He was planning to attack while distracting us with his fake location. He knew I would send Ron and some of my men there to grab him and it would make it easier for him to attack. But when…" Dark icy blue eyes met mine. "When I left
Blinding flashes sparked from down the stage from the darkness. Cheers and whistles made the night awake while the slow music urged me to move further. The spotlight moved with me as I walked down the ramp with the red princess gown flowing around me, my hair swayed gently with the whoosh of air. I walked with utmost confidence and a bright smile, while my heart palpitated at the dark gaze that devoured me from somewhere in the audience. Goosebumps spread across my skin with a pair of flaming eyes set on me like a predator. And then I found myself falling from the stage and wrapped into a pair of strong arms. Intoxicating masculine crisp cologne surrounded my senses. Dark icy blue eyes stared down at my amber ones with a look that made my heart skip. Suddenly I found myself in a nightclub, pressed against the wall by a furious Italian billionaire. His lips were inches away from me. "A kiss?" I heard myself whispering. The location again changed and I stood in the middle of a hall
Blood ran cold in my veins. With a drop of tear rolling down my cheek, I stood there frozen. My heart slowed down for a moment before it started pounding against my ribcage. My hands shook at my sides realizing who was standing before me. Vincenzo Zolvesky.The man I was running from was waiting in my own house. My legs stumbled back, the cold doors hit my back, leaving me no escape. "You…" Words stuck in my throat. "W-what are you doing here? How dare you come to our house!" The side of his lips tugged upwards into a smirk. "Is that how you greet your guests, Miss. Brooks? Or should I say…Mrs. De Sylvano? That's the title Duncan De Sylvano used in that hospital after all." Something dropped inside me. H-how did he know what happened in the hospital? Did he…have someone to keep an eye on us? They were following us from the hospital? That's how they knew we went to the wedding. It explained why his men roamed among the guests hiding their identities. They were waiting for the ri
Turning around swiftly, we found the two men who passed us earlier standing behind us, along with the tall man in the middle. Their guns were pointed at us. And the eyes of the tall man were set on me. A cold smirk tugged at his lips. My heart stopped. They were here for…me?Vincenzo's men. A panic started to rise inside me. My heart started racing. I thought they were guests…That meant…they were waiting for the right moment to attack, hiding themselves among the guests. How did they know we were going to attend the wedding? "Give her to us and we will let you go. Don't make it hard," said the tall man in a calm tone. "Step away or the consequences will be bloody," Ron hissed, one of his arms shielding me. "Carter! Call for backup!" he shouted to one of the guards. But before Carter could take his phone out, one of the men beside the tall one tackled him on the ground. And instantly, Ron shot him on the shoulder. A muffled scream left me as they advanced Ron. Gunshots star
Now? What happened all of a sudden?Ron suddenly rushed inside the church, nodding at Syl. His stance was tense, the guards behind him stood stiff. My heart started to race. Gripping my hand in his firmly, Syl took me away from the bride and groom. They gave us concerned looks but couldn't ask anything as guests surrounded them to congratulate the newly wedded couple. The stormy rage across Syl's features scared me more. "Syl, what happened? Why are we leaving so soon?" Before I could get an answer, Ron interrupted us. With his face hardened with determination and urgency, he had a grip on his gun. "Boss, my men just confirmed it. Vincenzo is there. They got together in that old motel for some meeting." My eyes widened. Vincenzo? They found his location? Syl's lips curled into a sneer. "It shall be the last meeting of his life. Did you instruct our men to take their positions?" Ron nodded. "Yes. As soon as they confirmed Vincenzo's presence there, they took action. They spr
My heart stopped. I was…pregnant?A slight panic rolled in my stomach. I knew these pills weren't safe enough! My fear turned out to be true!W-what should I do now? I wasn't ready to be a mother. I didn't know if I could take the responsibility. What if I couldn't be a good mother…"Hey! It's fine!" Em grasped my hand. "Don't be nervous. Calm down and think about it. It's not as horrifying as you think it is. Plus, you will have to tell Duncan about it too." I licked my dry lips. "I…I don't know, Em. I…" "It's alright. I know it's overwhelming, but trust me, being a mother is the most beautiful feeling in this world," she said softly. "We're here for you, especially Duncan. You don't need to worry as long as he is with you." She hesitated before continuing. "But if you have other plans, then he will understand, I'm sure." A shaky sigh left me. Syl's words from the morning echoed in my mind. I knew he would be there with me no matter what. But I didn't know what decision I needed
Morning arrived and I couldn't be more anxious and excited at the same time. I had stayed in our room the entire night talking to Beth and Em on video call, planning things for the wedding. Only at two in the morning did they say goodbye and left to rest. And my Italian stayed out of the room the whole night. Though I felt him wandering before the door a few times to check if I was alright until I fell asleep. My cold shoulder was taking a toll on him. A knock on the door resounded softly in the room. "Sandra? Baby? Are you awake? I've brought breakfast for you." I huffed. I wouldn't have opened the door if not for carrying on with our plan. Rising to my feet, as I walked to the door, a sudden dizziness hit me. Clutching the knob of the door, I held myself still and took a deep breath. Once the door opened, tired yet soft icy blue eyes greeted me. And my treacherous heart skipped a beat. "Good morning, mia regina." Placing the tray of breakfast on the small table beside t