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
The room felt cold despite the thick cardigan draped over my shoulders. As doctor Allysa applied cold gel to my stomach, I tried to take a deep breath, trying to remain calm. But I couldn't avoid the feeling of anxiety—there was always a fear that haunted me every time I underwent this examination. My hand gripped Sebastian's fingers. His presence was so calming beside me, even though his eyes were glued to the screen of the ultrasound machine. I could sense his anxiety even though he didn't say anything. His grip was warm, yet there was a subtle pressure there, like he was fighting a storm within himself too. I knew he didn't want me to see his worry, but I can see it clearly. The screen in front of me flickered, displaying a faint black-and-white image that looked like another world. My heart beats faster at the sight of those tiny movements—our babies. They looked active, moving around in my womb as if they were performing a little dance in their world. My eyes suddenly felt war
"Actually, other than being handsome, there's nothing to be proud of about your man," Sierra said as she sat on the sofa on the back porch facing the lake, where Sebastian played in the water with Ace this afternoon.I sat next to her, "I agree.""If you can run, I'm sure you'll run away from him, right?"I chuckled, looking at Ace, who was laughing as Sebastian dragged him across the water. "But I can't.""Now you're just resigned to the fate he forced on you?" she turned to me. I just shrugged. "He won't let me go no matter how far I want to go. But I want to see if this will be good. We have Ace, and we will have twins in a few months. I think I could support them alone if we.. split up. But there's something that keeps me here," I said, my voice almost drowned out amidst the sound of gurgling water and Ace's laughter echoing around the lake. My eyes were glued to Sebastian, who was now carrying Ace, tossing him briefly into the air before catching him back. Ace was laughing loud