Sebastian.I leaned my arm on the doorway and stared at the mother-son interaction in front of me. Ace laughed loudly as Isabella tickled his waist. I winced at that and immediately moved closer. My heart was unsettled by Ace's movements. I was afraid he would kick his siblings, who were still on his mother's belly."Poppa!" Ace yelled, but he moved to hug Isa.She immediately hugged Ace back and kissed the top of his head.I shook my head, taking Ace from his mother's arms. "It's dangerous, Ace. Don't hug momma recklessly from now." I said to him as I sat on the chair by the bed and put him on my lap."But why?" he asked with some annoyance.Isabella chuckled, stroking Ace's hair, which had been partially shaven by my mom in Madrid yesterday."You didn't tell him?" I asked Isabella, holding back my amusement at Ace's confused expression.Isa shook her head. She looked at Ace. "Ace..." her pale face painted a beautiful smile—the one I always mused about how it could drive me crazy. "
"We're moving to New York," Sebastian's low voice made me tense. He was beside me, flanking Ace, who was sleeping between us.I turned to him in surprise. I didn't know how to respond to that. I would be screwed if Sebastian kept me by his side. This time, he would definitely keep me so close, and on the other hand, the cosa nostra was there, the place where I was supposed to be and the place where I could take help to keep Sebastian away from me. So I didn't need to figure out what to do with it, but I'd be better off in Boston with my parents."Why New York?""The construction of our house is finished. We're moving there.""Construction?" I blinked. "But.. but.." I stammered while Sebastian looked at me calmly. "I can't move. I'm comfortable here.""You'll be comfortable there, too," he replied while smoothing Ace's hair. "My company is there, and I can't keep traveling by helicopter when I work.""That has nothing to do with me," I frowned. "You can do whatever you want. I don't ca
I don't think I can because......damn it.I stare at the vastness of the pine trees beyond the grounds from here, and I find that there isn't a single house or crowd of any kind. Sebastian had really locked me in here."Momma. Momma. Look!"I stared at Ace, who jumped into the lake from the edge and landed on a large white swan-shaped swimming tube. Sebastian, who was on his side, laughed when Ace almost fell. I shook my head at the two of them."What if there are crocodiles or snakes in the water?" I shuddered in horror. The lake was indeed beautiful. The water was so clear, and the bottom was dominated by beautiful stones. But that doesn't guarantee the lake will pass by deadly animals, right?"Everything is well taken care of, Momma," Sebastian replied, pushing Ace's float and making the boy laugh. "Nothing will happen."Sebastian could be sure of anything, but not me. We were in the middle of a terrible pine forest, even though I thought this house was tranquil and calm. Still, w
Heavy footsteps approached, and I knew without turning around who was coming. Sebastian. I could feel his presence even before he was actually near me. He always had a way of making me think trapped-both physically and emotionally."What are you thinking, Momma?" His deep, calm voice broke the silence. I didn't answer right away, letting myself feel the moment and searching for the right words to say.Then I felt his embrace from behind, his hands ending up on my stomach, rubbing it gently. A peck was present on my exposed shoulder."I don't know what I was thinking," I finally said, still staring off into the forest. "Everything feels messed up, Sebastian," I whispered."I know it's been hard for you," he said, his ordinarily authoritative voice now sounding softer. "But I've thought things through. I won't let anything or anyone hurt you.""What if it's you who ends up hurting us?"Sebastian was silent for a moment, absorbing my piercing question. His heartbeat quickened against my
"Are you okay there?" Mom's soft voice made me smile."Yes, I'm fine. How about you, mom?" I asked while stirring the cream corn soup I made for breakfast. Several maids moved around me, helping me prepare the breakfast menu."Yeah." She replied. "Now, your sister is back home, you know."I squinted. Sure she is. She must have been delighted when she found out I was away from home. "She's very happy, huh?""Oh Jesus. Are you guys still continuing that cold war?""She's still annoying, mom. I'd settle our argument if only she'd lower her ego a little.""Why don't you? You're the oldest here."I rolled my eyes. "It's not my fault.""Oh, well, whatever." Her voice was so tired of me. "Sebastian told me when you were in the hospital. That you were pregnant...?""Yes, mom. You'll get twin grandchildren in six months.""Oh, my God. I'm so happy right now."I chuckled softly."But you're okay, right? Sebastian treats you well, right?""Yes, he does," I said, taking a moment to ask the questi
Vito got out of the car and looked at me with surprise at my belly, which was already showing a slight bulge.He shook his head softly as he approached me. "You...""Yes," I cut him off and swallowed. "Some things are going on, and I want to tell you all about them."Vito sighed and nodded. He opened the passenger door and led me gently inside. I sat back in the car seat as the car drove away from Sebastian's company."Where is Ace?""He's with his father," I replied. "He comes to Sebastian's meetings, and it keeps me from worrying when I'm with you right now.""Do you trust him now?""I don't know who to trust anymore, Vito. Honestly, everything feels right and wrong at the same time." I sighed. "Hey, did you know that I lost my memory? It was precisely the two-month-lost moment, and..." I shook my head, smiling wryly. "That's ironic. Did you know that, too?""I know, but I don't want to talk about it because I think it would be better if you remembered it yourself, " he said."How
The air in the room was thick and heavy with unspoken tension. Sebastian stood by the large window, his silhouette erect yet tense, illuminated by the glow of the streetlights outside. His back was to me, but I could feel his cold gaze even though he wasn't looking directly at me."What are you talking about?" his voice was low, almost a hiss as if the anger that had been suppressed for too long was finally starting to crack.I let out a long breath, trying to calm my stomach, which seemed to be twisted with anxiety. "Grandpa. He wants me to be initiated after I give birth."Sebastian still didn't turn around. His hands moved slowly, rubbing his temples as if trying to cope with something more than just a headache. "Initiation?" He repeats it, his voice dry and flat, but I know it's not just a question."Yes." My answer was thin, almost choked. "That means I have to... have to kill someone.""I know what it is."The ticking of the clock on the wall gets louder, hitting every second wi
Sebastian. I looked at Isabella, who was lying beside me. Her breathing was slow and steady. Her face was calm, but I could tell there were traces of tears that hadn't completely disappeared from the corners of her eyes.Behind that calmness, there was a turbulent storm—fear, confusion, all the things she was trying to suppress.I reached out, touching her cheek gently. Her skin felt warm under my fingers, but there was an emptiness that hadn't disappeared from her eyes since some time ago. Damn, I've made her cry too many times.Guilt hits me hard—stronger than anything I've ever felt. How many times have I brought her to this point? How many times had I pulled her back into a world she should never have entered? And now, with all these crazy plans, I'm asking for more.Asking her to risk her life again. But I had no choice. I would never let anyone from Cosa Nostra or her grandfather touch her and our children, even if it meant I had to destroy everything they had built.Isabella m