I've watched lives end right before my eyes.Not once.Not twice.But many times.After I saw life leave my grandmother's body when I was ten years old, I had an epiphany. Ah. Death is that easy.Death is a trigger pull, a splash of blood, and empty eyes. If grandmother, the Dominican who was fearless and stronger than life itself, was killed so easily, then her actions wouldn't have been so difficult. That's why I never feared death. Never looked the other way from it. Never hesitated in front of it.In fact, I barged straight into it. I subdued it and pushed it to it's knees in front of me, just like Grandpa did to Grandma, then shot her in the face. I had avoided death's clutches so often that I considered myself immune to it.In a way, death was meaningless to me.It doesn't touch me.Won't touch me.It was my fault. A glitch in my system.Although I'd never feared the end-or anything really-since my grandmother was executed, there was something I feared I'd lose.Or someone.O
A few months ago. Snow fell slowly, like ice flakes crumbling from the gray sky, decorating the yard of her grandfather's house. The cold creeps in, freezing, but it's nothing compared to what I feel inside.Isabella stood in the doorway, her stomach distended, her eyes looking at me with disappointment. At first glance, she looked strong, but behind her hard gaze, there was something fragile. Something that was breaking because of me.I stood still, suffocated by the weight of the feelings I had harbored for too long. Her image during this time never left my mind. Her trembling lips and her pale cheeks made my heart squeeze. I knew I had hurt her more than words could fix."You flew from Madrid to Milan just to stay silent?" Her voice came out sharp yet shaky, like a wall beginning to crack but still holding. There was anger tucked away, and underneath, a sadness I'd made too deep. I could hear her unspoken cries, crackling between each word.I sighed softly, the snow in my hair star
I swallowed a sleeping pill as I finished cleaning myself, and lay down on the bed. Ace was already there, my mom also sleeping by his side. Not wanting to wake them up, I moved up the bed slowly. Sighing heavily, I looked up at the faces of the two of them. My father, my mother, Belle-even though we were in a tense period-and Ace... I loved them so much. I love them so much that I don't want anything bad to happen to them.Sebastian's arrival was torture enough, coupled with his behavior that almost bankrupted my father's company, it put us on the edge.Sebastian was already freely toying with us at his fingertips because he wanted his son with him, for the weapon that would allow him to gain power, starting with the terrible doctrines he would give Ace. Ace...He was just an innocent, pure boy who was enthusiastic and curious about the world at the age of four.Obviously, children can be indoctrinated or influenced by the things around them without knowing whether it is good or ba
Sebastian looked at me for a moment before nodding slowly. "We're going to make him happy today, Isa. There's nothing wrong with that."I swallowed and tried to smile for Ace. "Alright, let's go then."I tugged Ace's hand and walked towards the door, while Sebastian followed behind me. There was an ever-present tension between us, a tension that couldn't go away despite our best efforts to appear normal in front of Ace.The drive to Sebastian's house felt longer than usual. I felt like I was walking on thin glass, afraid that a small wrong step could make everything crumble. Ace sat in the backseat, telling me stories about his school with excitement, while I tried to stay focused on the road ahead. Sebastian sat quietly next to me, his gaze straight ahead, yet I could tell his mind was hard at work.When we got to his house, Ace immediately ran towards the pool with a giggle. Sebastian and I followed him, and at that moment I felt strange. We were like a whole family, but only on the
I clutched the thick folder in my hand tightly, feeling the weight of the decision I had just made. My signature and the drop of my blood sealed the agreement that bound me deeper to the Cosa Nostra. The agreement was not just a piece of paper but a symbol of the immense responsibility now resting on my shoulders. As I entered Rikkard's office, anxiety and tension wrapped around my heart.Rikkard looked at me from behind his desk, his sharp eyes as always, but this time there was a hint of softness in them. "Isabella, you have taken a very important step," he said with a voice that was heavy yet understanding.I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. "I signed the agreement," I said, handing him the folder. He opened it, examining the document filled with my signature and blood seal.Rikkard nodded slowly, his eyes meeting mine with deep meaning. "With this, you are officially the Donna of the Cosa Nostra. You have vast power and great responsibility. Just like your great-grandmothe
The sheets were soft. I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow. But something wasn't right. My pillow smelled different than usual. Instead of the scent of my shampoo, it smells of wood, leather, and something like coffee.A scent that felt so familiar.I opened my eyes and sat up. His scent.The pillow smelled like Sebastian. The blanket slipped off my body, and I realized my skin was bare. Panic hit me like a blow to the chest. I pulled the blanket back into place and peered into the darkness. My collected wits made me remember what happened to me last time.Sebastian...He dragged me here."You're awake." His deep voice rang out around me, but I couldn't see him.I didn't answer anything.The darkness scares me a little now. I couldn't remember why I ended up sleeping so well because I cried so hard after he closed the door and left me here alone."Did you take off my clothes?""Yes."I grimaced and walked towards the edge of the bed opposite him. Panic rang in my ears, and e
My head is still foggy about the nonsense he threw at me two days ago. About the divorce papers that he didn't sign. About the fact that I was still his wife.. for the five years we were separated. I can't believe it. I don't want to believe any of it.Sebastian Sanchez is the most cunning man who uses anything to make me suffer. He.. he just says nonsense things. If I'm still his wife.. why can't Reina be his wife too? I'm not sure if he has two wives, and.. what about Reina.. she's pregnant. If it wasn't Reina he was referring to as his wife in his conversation with his assistant, then who? He clearly said kids, while I only have one.I sighed. My head was so spinning. I bent my knees and hugged them, burying my head in the folds and staring at the window that revealed the morning rain.Two days passed, and I was still in the dark cocoon Sebastian had given me.Two days under his power.He entangled me, touched my body with his burning hands, punished me with the passion he had, an
The room was frozen for a moment, the silence eerie. Sebastian looked at me wide-eyed while his assistant stood stiffly, not knowing what to do. I felt the whole world come crashing down around me.Pregnant? How is that possible?"Isabella..." Sebastian's voice was low, almost a whisper. But I couldn't hear him clearly. My thoughts and feelings were raging, colliding with each other."Is it true, Sebastian?" I forced myself to ask despite the trembling in my voice. "Am I pregnant?"Sebastian didn't answer, but his nod brought down everything in me.My head was getting dizzy. I felt my body wobble, and I almost fell if I didn't hold on to the table next to me. The tears that had been dry for the past two days came back unbidden."Are you out of your mind?!!!" I yelled. "You're engaged to Reina, and you're having your way with me while she's also pregnant?!!!" I snapped. The tightness in my chest was unstoppable."You misunderstand, Isa! I'm not engaged to her!" he said."You planned al