That memory tightens my chest, but I disguise it as best I can.I can't reveal what happened in that mansion that was now mine, not in front of my mother and Charles."No," I assure them, under the suspicious gaze of everyone present."Then we'll investigate the building's security cameras to see if we can identify the suspect," the officer informs us. "We'll do everything we can to find out who did this.""Thank you, officers," Diane thanks them, looking very distressed by the situation.As the police leave, a deep silence settles in the room. I still can't believe this has happened, but despite my chaotic thoughts, I try to salvage the damaged items.Almost everything is now unusable, and though it pains me a little, mainly for my laptop since I used it extensively for work, I'm grateful that the damage was only material and that I wasn't here when it happened."I don't think it's safe for you to stay here," Charles says after helping me put several things in trash bags.And I consi
"Please answer, please answer, please answer."I internally beg for him to finally decide to answer at least one of the dozens of calls I've made to him since yesterday.I know he's very upset about what I did, especially considering how much he detests Charles and it doesn't help that I'm still at his house, waiting for my mother to wake up so we can leave.I'm the only person awake at this hour, aside from Charles' cat named Neville. Although I think I'm starting to annoy him with the way my foot keeps moving incessantly due to the anxiety this whole situation is causing me."Good morning, dear," my mother finally appears in the living room, looking very refreshed. "I'll make some coffee, would you like some?"It seems she has already showered, I'm surprised to see her awake so early."Mom...""I'll also prepare some breakfast, I hope your boyfriend won't mind the intrusion.""Charles is not my boyfriend," I clarify."But you were, right? It's the same thing," she says, searching fo
"What are you doing here?" I manage to say in a thread of voice, receiving no response from him as he is too busy looking inside the house. "Charles, what are you doing here?""I want to ask you the same question," he says with a perplexed expression. "Is this... yours?""Answer me first," I demand. "How did you get here?""Will you let me in?" he inquires, ignoring my words."Absolutely not," I retort, to which he reacts with surprise at my refusal."Claudia, when you left, your mother was deeply affected by your behavior," he informs me. "I went to your apartment to look for you, but when I arrived at your building, you got into a taxi, and since you're not answering my calls, I had to follow you.""Charles, you know it's not right to follow people, don't you?""You say it as if I did it with bad intentions," he says offended. "Precious, the truth is that you've been acting very strange since you arrived. Are you sure you're okay?"I'm not entirely okay, but that doesn't prevent me
Charles's POV Hearing her distressed screams from inside is something that fills me with sorrow, but it doesn't make me want to set her free.Confirming that the damn Alessandro Lombardi is alive and that she escaped with him while we were all searching like idiots, has driven me to lose my composure.I can assure you that I'm a man who knows how to control himself, but to have that foolish look on my face after humiliating myself and waiting so long to have her, it has caused me to lose control and feel the anger I had kept bottled up for so long.I suppressed this feeling so much that I had even forgotten how it felt. I only showed my good side to others, but that demon inside me has resurfaced and I can no longer control it. Because being good is something that has never amounted to anything.Her dislike for my goodness doesn't matter anyway; she prefers the bad guys. The ones who make her suffer and bring tears to her eyes.It's those kinds of men that Claudia gives herself to, b
Alessandro's POVShe was supposed to come back five days ago. I haven't stopped thinking about Claudia since she left, and I'm on the verge of losing my mind.I knew that if she left, something like this would happen. I knew someone would interfere and mess it up because it's always the way. And in this case, it had to be that fucking son of a bitch Charles.Finding out that Claudia was at that idiot's house pissed me off, so I chose not to talk to her until I calmed down, avoiding making this shit worse and messing everything up again.But despite all of that I wanted to contact her on the day she was supposed to return and since then she hasn't answered any of my calls.I want to believe that she hasn't done it because she's mad at me and doesn't want to talk to me. But it pisses me off not knowing for sure.I've been feeling a damn pressure in my chest that has kept me from sleeping at night. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like something is wrong, and I don't give a damn how angry we
I can't hide the expression of concern and uncertainty that settles on my face upon hearing that unpleasant news."Find out as much as you can," I ask of my faithful friend."Of course, sir," he replies, and I hang up.Bruno's call leaves me completely bewildered and with a terrible feeling.Something is not right here, Claudia wouldn't just disappear like this no matter how upset she is. Her friends must know something.I take my daughter and walk to Anna's room, finding her sitting on the bed."I have to go," I let her know."How can you leave when you've just arrived?" she questions, furrowing her brow."I need to take care of some things," I respond briefly."Once again, you're neglecting your responsibilities as a father.""I'm not neglecting anything and don't worry, we'll discuss custody of my daughter when I get back.""Custody?" she exclaims, agitated."That's right," I say, placing Vittoria next to her."You're not thinking of taking my daughter away, are you?" she says, ann
When I find her curled up in a corner of the room, her face soaked in tears, her dry lips, and her wrists bound, I only want to kill him.I rush towards her, kneeling by her side and quickly untie the rope around her wrists. Then I realize she's not even conscious."Claudia," I speak to her, placing my hands on her face. "Love, talk to me, I'm here."I'm extremely worried for her to open her eyes."Claudia, react, please."I start to panic as she doesn't respond, but then I feel her right hand on mine, and soon her eyes open, allowing me to see her beautiful hazel iris."Alessandro," she whispers almost inaudibly."Yes, my love. I'm here.""Claudia," she says again, clinging tightly to my torso as if I'm protecting her from everything, as if I'm her shield.The sound of her sobs reaches my ears, and for every tear I see her shed, I want to make that son of a bitch pay even more."He... he... did this to me," she mumbles, barely able to speak."I know," is all I say, kissing her forehe
I'm unable to think coherently after the words Alessandro uttered a few seconds ago. My heart is racing uncontrollably as I search his face desperately for a hint of a joke that might tell me this isn't real. But that doesn't happen. He remains serious and expectant, waiting for a response.I'm speechless and paralyzed. I'm trying to process his request over and over again. I never thought he would ask me this again, much less in this moment.I'm afraid because the last time he proposed, it didn't take long for everything to fall apart and I realized it had been more about my desire to get married than his own.I didn't want him to propose just to fulfill my wishes."You're playing with me, aren't you?" I managed to say at last."I wouldn't joke about something you've wanted for so long," he replies with the same seriousness.But contrary to what one might think his response would evoke in me, the truth is that it disappoints me to hear it."Are you asking me to marry you just becaus
I could only watch as my best friend moved back and forth. She looked distressed, but I was starting to feel dizzy."Eva, stop it! Why are you so nervous?""My trip is approaching, I have my suitcases almost ready, but...""What's wrong, dear friend? You can still change your mind about the trip if you're not sure.""It's just that now I realize how much I'm going to miss my parents. I've never been separated from them," she says with teary eyes."You told me yourself it's just a five-month trip. Seize this opportunity and enjoy it," I encourage her, seeing her sad."You're right. With some contacts from my father, I managed to secure a teaching job. It's a language center in Canada.""Will you be an Italian teacher?" "Exactly, my friend. I'm really excited. There are people from different nationalities at that center. I think I'll learn a lot about other cultures," she says this time with a smile."I'm happy for you, Eva," I give her a hug. "Alright, I'll leave you to finish packing
"Darling, how lovely to see you both," my father greets Alessandro and me."We have excellent news for you," I announce as my mother joins us. "You will be grandparents to a beautiful baby boy."Shouts of surprise and excitement ensue."Congratulations, my dear, Alessandro," my father hugs us. "Have you thought of any names?""We like the name Luca," Alessandro says, and my mom starts crying."Mom?""I'm thrilled to have a little one coming into the family," she says through tears. "Our grandson Luca will be a much-loved boy."Alessandro and I are not officially married yet, which is why we've been planning a new wedding all this time.Eva will soon leave for Canada, and I want her to attend my wedding. She's my maid of honor and must be there, so I sped up my plans."Eva, is everything ready?" I ask my friend as we meet for lunch."Yes, Claudia, I promise to call you as much as I can, don't worry. Plus, I'll only be gone for 5 months," she says with a smile. "I'll be back just in tim
I spent the entire Sunday morning in my bed, unable to sleep at night."I better pay Claudia a visit,I need her advice," I say with a wry smile due to my huge dark circles.I took a shower and put on something comfortable, dark blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and white sneakers.I arrived at Claudia's house; she looks so beautiful with her baby bump, and it makes me so happy to see her. She's like the sister I've always wanted.I didn't waste any time and told her everything that happened last night. She listened attentively as we sipped on juice and ate cookies."I have to admit that Alexis is a jerk, but on the other hand, Piero is a true gentleman. I think you should give him a chance," she says with a smile."Claudia, it's not easy to just dismiss these kinds of feelings.""I know, when you fall in love, you can't see anyone else, but I think you really enjoy suffering. You could have a caring man by your side, yet you still prefer holding onto Alexis," she says with a wry expressio
Eva's POVAfter Alessandro and Claudia left, I stayed working alone in the office. Alexis had to attend a very important meeting.I could only think about the kiss between him and me; I couldn't concentrate on my tasks."Hello, beautiful.""Piero, what are you doing here?" I exclaimed, slightly flustered upon seeing him in front of me."I had to take care of some advertising matters here at the company and took the opportunity to come and say hi," he says with a huge smile, a very handsome one indeed."I'm glad to see you. Tell me, are you excited about the release of your new movie?""Of course, it was quite a challenge for me. I was used to making action movies, and now starring in a romantic genre was special," he responds enthusiastically."I'm excited to see the outcome. I'm sure it will do very well in sales.""Thank you, Eva," he says, taking my hand. "Would you like to be my date for that day?""Well, what a surprise. I would certainly love to, but that day I have to be by my
We arrived at the restaurant where Piero made the reservation, it's spectacular, and I feel both ecstatic and out of place for being in such a beautiful and elegant place that my paternal family is so accustomed to.Is this how my life would be if I accept marrying Piero Ferrara?"I had never been to this place before, it's very nice," I say somewhat uncomfortably, trying to push those thoughts out of my mind."I knew you would like it, it's my favorite French restaurant, 'Le Gigot,' their steaks are really good," Piero says gallantly.We sit at a pre-booked table, and Piero even pulls out the chair for me in a chivalrous manner."While we wait for our order, tell me, why did you decide to become an actor? My grandfather mentioned that your family owns the textile company FR," I ask."That's correct, they do, but I've always been drawn to acting. And when I retire from this career in the future, I'll assume the presidency of the company," he confesses, and I'm amazed. "Believe me, I'm
When I leave the office, the phone suddenly rings, pulling me out of my thoughts.I see the contact on the screen and hurry to answer my phone. It's my mom and I think it's important because she never calls me at work."Hello, Mom, what's up?""Sweetie, I hope I'm not interrupting your work. Tell me, why didn't you mention that you saw your grandfather?"Her question surprises me. What's all this about?"I only saw him briefly. We coincidentally crossed paths here at work. Don't worry, I didn't do anything wrong.""I know you're a good girl. It's just that your grandfather talked to your father and he wants to see you tomorrow at his house.""Tomorrow? That's impossible. I have an appointment, and I'm not going to cancel it for my grandfather. I'm sorry, Mom.""Dear, I think it's necessary for all of us to visit your grandfather. He wants to see us. He seemed really worried.""No, Mom, I'm sorry.""In the morning, we can visit your grandfather, and you'll have the afternoon free. Don'
"In love! With whom? Why didn't you tell me?" she exclaims in genuine surprise.Of course, it's obvious she'd react that way, considering she had named me the number one single for a while now, but Alexis Lombardi was an incredible person who had deeply ingrained himself in me.Even over the years, I couldn't forget him completely."I don't know when I started liking him so much…""Wait, don't say another word, are you falling for Alexis Lombardi?" She looks at me with wide-open eyes."It seems like it," I say with a lump in my throat."But I don't understand why you're sad. It would be wonderful if you and Alexis became a couple. Imagine the four of us on a double date. You're my best friend, and Alexis is Alessandro's cousin…""Dear friend, I think you're hallucinating. Look at me, I'm really not his type," I say with a wry smile, remembering how everything "ended" between us."Eva, what's gotten into you? You're beautiful, with your long black hair and those gorgeous blue eyes. Jus
Days go by, and Alessandro informs me that he has news for me about Anna, which makes me nervous because I had managed to find solid evidence of her kidnapping and how she had drugged him to take advantage of him.It seems that Matteo himself had given them to him."Love, the good news is that Anna will go to jail for a long time, and her parents are accomplices. I will have full custody of my daughter."I couldn't be happier, I throw myself into his arms, but I notice he's tense, so I look at him inquisitively."There's another piece of news, isn't there?""That's right, and it's that Anna escaped. They could only imprison her parents.""And Vittoria?""She was with them. Bruno is bringing her along with John. She'll be able to live with us.""These are wonderful news, but Anna...""I'll do everything in my power to put that crazy woman behind bars. I won't let her keep hurting us."Ale comes closer to me and kisses my lips. I want to respond, but there's been something on my mind fo
My brow furrows as I watch her place one of her hands on his shoulder and then lean in to whisper something in his ear, causing their inevitable closeness. With just that tiny gesture, my body burns with anger at the scene I'm witnessing. And even though Alessandro gently pushes her away, the woman clings to him like a damn tick.I don't even realize when I started walking towards them, but there I am, standing in front of him, staring at him intently."Claudia," he says my name as if nothing's wrong, making the woman turn to look at me."Who are you?," I ask the blue-eyed woman who won't leave my man alone."I could ask you the same thing," she retorts with an arrogant look."Olivia, she's…""Claudia," I interrupt him. "Nice to meet you, Olivia."I look at her without any hint of cordiality or joy."Oh," she huffs, looking me up and down. "So, you're the lucky one. I'm Olivia Brooks.""Claudia, she's an actress, like Piero," the idiot who unfortunately will be the father of my child