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Chapter 26
Last Updated:
2025-02-06 16:54:52
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Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 27
For a second, I stand there staring at him, my head spinning. What just took place? I had the fleeting impression that Marco was revealing to me a side of himself that he keeps hidden from the public. Now, though, it seems to have never occurred.I follow him back to the car, my chest tight with fury and confusion. When I believe I understand him a little better, he withdraws once again and hides behind barriers I can't figure out how to get past.The stillness between us is heavier than ever as we resume our journey. I feel more lost than ever when I gaze out the window. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to unravel the riddle that is Marco. He gives me glimpses of a man I never expected by being aloof and icy one minute and then vulnerable the next.However, those moments are fleeting. As the hours pass, I realize that Marco will not share anything with me, he has given up or the suffering he endures. Not entirely. Not quite yet.I can't get rid of the impression that something is chang
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I can sense the tension in the room now, even if the doctor's demeanor remains unchanged. People are affected by Marco in that way. Even in a hospital setting where lives are on the line, he commands attention, demands outcomes, and handles this as though it were a commercial discussion."Mr. Moretti," the doctor adds in a calm voice, "I can't guarantee miracles, but I understand your anxiety. This is a challenging process, and I need you to be aware of the hazards.I suppose Marco could dispute for a second as his jaw tightens. However, he nods instead. His voice is low as he continues, "Do whatever it takes." "It is not an option to fail."The doctor looks at Marco and then at me, as though considering what to say next. He pledges, "We'll do everything we can."I release a breath I didn't know I'd been holding as the doctor exits the room to get ready for the procedure. Marco's face softens somewhat as he turns to face me. Marco adds, "He'll make it," in a softer tone. "We will not
Last Updated : 2025-02-06Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 29
It doesn't seem like home when we get back to Marco's house. The tension between us seems to suffocate me as the walls close in around me. Unspoken words abound, yet I lack the energy to strike up a conversation. All I can think about is the uncertainty surrounding my father's situation. I can still hear the doctor say, "We won't know for a few days." Those words seem to go on forever.I try to ground myself as I enter the living room and leave my bag by the door. I collapse onto the couch, fatigue weighing heavily on my body. But despite my best efforts to calm down, my mind keeps racing. Marco is looking out into the night from the window. He seems to be holding something back because of his stiff stance. I feel his gaze on me, but I choose not to raise my head. We are so silent that it is nearly intolerable.Since we left the hospital, things have been silent and tense, as though we are both waiting for something to happen. I can feel the weight of his gaze as if he's watching me a
Last Updated : 2025-02-07Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 30
The damage is done even when Marco doesn't reply. I sense the change, the uncertainty erecting itself like a wall between us. I don't know how, but I want to reach out and draw him back to me. Something poisonous has been sown by Gianni's comments, and I'm not sure how to combat it.A Terrifying CautionGianni stops beside me as he makes his way to the door, moving in close enough for me to feel his breath against my ear. His voice is low and menacing as he adds, "Francesca, you won't make it through this." "You're in a lot of trouble."His words freeze me in place and send a shiver down my spine. My mouth gets dry, and I'm unable to breathe or move. Gianni retreats, giving me a final arrogant glance before leaving a trail of discomfort in his wake.With a gentle click, the door closes behind him, but the tension in the room is still there and stronger than before. I feel as though the ground has moved underfoot as I stand there. I can't get Gianni's comments out of my head; they're a
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I ultimately realize I can't handle it any longer late one evening. I require answers. I need to know why he’s pulling away from me, why he’s acting like a stranger when we’ve been through so much together. I find him seated at his desk in his office, the gentle glow of his computer screen shining on his face. I can sense the tension in the room rising as soon as I walk in, even though he doesn't glance up."Marco," I begin, my voice faltering but resolute. "We must speak."His fingers keep tapping at the keyboard in front of him, and he takes a while to react. Every click feeling like a hammer striking my heart, the sound irritates me.I get closer and beg, "Marco, please." "What is the reason behind your distance from me?"At last, he pauses his typing and gives me an unreadable glance. I briefly fear that he may dismiss me once more and offer me the same flimsy justification that he has so frequently used. Then, however, he gets up, quietly scraping his chair back, and moves to the
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The situation weighs heavily on me as I stand there in startled silence while Luca and Marco continue their conversation. Marco's distancing, Gianni's remarks, and now this—Luca's alert to a fresh danger.Something greater than I could have ever envisioned has ensnared me, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to endure it.My relationship with Marco is becoming more strained, and now that Gianni is threatening us, I'm not sure whether we can handle what's next.Luca steps into the room, his face drawn tight with worry. There’s something different about him tonight, something that sets my nerves on edge. Marco, who’s been sitting quietly across from me, stiffens the moment Luca enters. The stress in the air swells like a storm brewing on the horizon.“Marco,” Luca starts, his voice low, barely above a whisper, but it holds enough weight to make my heart pound. “We have a problem.”I look at Marco, waiting for his response. His eyes darken, a dangerous darkness falling over his face. He doe
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 33
“What do you want me to do?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. There’s a tremor in my tone that I hate, but I can’t hide the fear anymore.Marco stands up, walking over to me with that steady, deliberate pace that always unnerves me. He reaches out, taking my chin in his hand and tilting my face up to meet his eyes.“You’re going to stay close to me,” he says, his voice soft but full of command. “I’ll protect you, but you need to listen to me. No more questions. No more defiance. You’re part of this now.”I nod, even though every part of my being wants to fight against the idea. But what choice do I have? Gianni’s out there, planning something dangerous, and now I’m a part of it whether I want to be or not.Luca steps forward, breaking the moment. “There’s more,” he says, his voice serious. “Gianni’s not working alone. He’s got people on the inside, Marco. We don’t know who yet, but there’s a mole.”A cold sweat breaks out across my skin. A mole? Someone inside Marco’s group is
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 34
I try to go about my day, pretending that things are normal. But there’s always this nagging thought in the back of my mind, this constant stress that I can’t shake. I’m always on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop.One evening, Marco comes home later than usual. The house is quiet, the kind of quiet that makes me feel more alone than ever. I’ve been moving, trying to keep my mind busy, but it’s useless. Every creak of the floor, every faraway sound makes me jump.Without thinking, I reach for his hand. My fingers brush his, and I half-expect him to pull away, to hide behind the cold mask he’s been wearing for days. But to my surprise, he didn’t. He lets me hold his hand, his fingers curling around mine. It’s such a small act, but it feels like a lifesaver in the middle of a storm.We don’t talk. There’s nothing to say. But standing there, holding his hand, I feel a flicker of hope…like maybe things aren’t as broken as they seem. Maybe, despite everything, there’s still something
Last Updated : 2025-02-08
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Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 64
I get a wave of uneasiness as soon as the message is sent. My chest is filled with a profound sensation of fear, and my heart is pounding. We've started a risky strategy, and I can't get rid of the sensation that we've made a grave error.Marco looks at me with an unreadable expression. "It's finished," he murmurs. "We wait now."I nod, but my thoughts are whirling. The rival family has consistently been erratic, even cruel. We just gave them a chunk of our city and our lives, and we have no idea what they will do with it.I keep thinking about Sofia's words: They're going to exploit the instability and leave us with nothing.I look at Marco, who is already thinking deeply and perhaps preparing his next move. I can't help but wonder whether he's in over his head this time, even though he's typically so focused and dedicated.Marco breaks the stillness with, "We'll get through this." "We must."I nod, but my chest still aches from the fear. At what price is the alliance sealed? Doubt w
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 63
The coffee abruptly becomes sour in my throat, and I feel my stomach turn. "Cut the city in half?" I say it again, hardly raising my voice above a whisper. "That's Marco, that's too much. We are unable to provide them with that.He stretches his fingers through his hair and exhales deeply in frustration. "I understand. However, we require their assistance. We will never be able to defeat Gianni without them.I examine him, looking for any hint of uncertainty or weakness in his commitment. Marco, however, remains steadfast, his eyes steely and unforgiving. I'm afraid that he has already made up his mind."However, half the city..." I repeat, my voice faltering. "It's all of that."Even though Marco remains silent, our quiet is sufficient. I understand his thoughts. We've been driven to the limit by this conflict with Gianni, and now we have to make hard decisions. But accepting this? Giving a family we can't trust half of everything we've fought so hard for? Everything we have battled
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Marco takes a while to reply. His face is fixed in that unreadable expression he always has when he's pondering, and he's also staring at the ceiling. He sighs after a moment. "We had no other option. Gianni made us hold his hand.I shake my head, a feeling of frustration rising within me. However, Marco, things didn't have to be this way. For months, we have been hiding, battling, and running. I have lost any sense of what we are fighting for.His voice is sharper now as he says, "Francesca, we're fighting for survival." His eyes are harsh as he turns to face me. "Gianni is determined to get what he wants, and he wants me dead." It's no longer just about us. It all comes down to survival.With each syllable, I sense the gap between us widening. "How about us? What about all of our experiences? This conflict cannot cost me you.For a little moment, he becomes softer and reaches for my hand. "I won't leave you. I swear. Even though his comments are supposed to be consoling, they seem h
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 61
At last, he turns, his eyes dark and roiling with an inexplicable tempest of emotions. "We continue to battle. Gianni is unstoppable. Until one of us passes away, no."With my heart racing, I take a step closer. "And if it’s you?"Marco clenches his jaw. "It won’t be."Despite the destruction all around us, I want to believe him. "This war... it’s going to destroy everything, isn’t it?"His quiet is sufficient even when he doesn't respond.Luca approaches us with a grim expression on his face. "We must reorganize. They will return.Marco nods while continuing to gaze at the debris. "Yes. And we'll be prepared the next time."The impact of what he said becomes apparent. This is just the start. And I'm in the midst of it all.I'm caught in the middle of the conflict between Marco and Gianni, which has officially started. I have no idea what's going to happen next, and there's no going back now. I can only hope Marco is correct and that we will survive in the future.Hours after the atta
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 60
I draw away from him and shake my head. However, what if you are unable to stop it? Marco, you are not in charge of everything.The strain radiates from him as he clenches his jaw. "I must."His remarks are like a punch to the gut. Even though he knows it might not be enough, he is carrying the weight of keeping us all safe.Scene Two: An Unexpected AssaultMy restlessness is still bothering me as I toss in bed later that night. Although there is silence in the home, my anxious thoughts are loud. I'm about to fall asleep when...Break!One sound slashes through the darkness, then another.Fire.My heart is pounding as I sit straight upright. "Marco!"I scurry out of bed when I hear the shouting coming from downstairs. I run to the window and pull back the curtain. Men with guns pour into the yard."Oh my God." My breath catches. It's happening.With my heart thumping in my ears, I fling open the door and dash down the stairs. I make it to the hallway when Luca, clad in filth and brand
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Sofia doesn’t move. Her expression remains calm, her voice steady as she replies. “What we want is simple. We want Gianni out of the picture before he damages all we’ve built.” “And what happens after that?” the younger man says, his tone scornful. “You expect us to just shake hands and walk away? You think we’re that naïve?” The room goes silent, and I can feel the weight of his words weighing down on us. He’s not incorrect. Even if we manage to take Gianni out, there’s no certainty this union will hold. Trust is delicate in our society, and relationships may shatter in an instant. The elder guy narrows his gaze, watching us in quiet. The tension is oppressive, and I can feel my hands trembling in my lap. I tighten fingers into fists, attempting to stabilize myself, but the weight of the moment is crushing. “I’ll be honest,” the elder guy says after what seems like an eternity. “I don’t trust you. But I also don’t trust Gianni. And maybe that’s enough for now.” His words are lik
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 58
It's this. The moment that might make all the difference. The issue that looms as the door opens and the faces of the opposing family are revealed is whether this encounter will end in an alliance or a betrayal that might destroy everything that Marco and Francesca have worked so hard to achieve. The room seems colder than typical, not because of the weather, but because of the attitude. It’s badly lit, barely enough light to make out the faces in front of us. I sat across from two men....two guys who could alter everything in this conflict with just a single word. Marco sits behind me, his jaw taut, his eyes flaming with that intensity he brings into every battle. But this isn't a battle of punches and guns—this is a war of words and every word matters. The calm is overwhelming. No one dares to speak first, as if whoever breaks the calm would lose something crucial. The elder guy across from us, the boss, has sharp features and eyes that could pierce through steel. His younger equ
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 57
"And how precisely do we prevent them from betraying us?" Marco asks in a harsh tone. "Loyalty isn't exactly what these people are known for." Sofia gives a nod. That's where we need to employ our intelligence. We'll watch them closely and adopt terms that secure us. We are using them, not trusting them. And we'll be clear that they won't fare well if they betray us. Her self-assurance is frightening. Although she makes it seem easy, I know it's not. There is a substantial potential for betrayal, and we are entering a perilous situation. However, Sofia appears confident…perhaps too confident. And I'm concerned about that. Marco shakes his head and sighs, "I still don't like this." "I am aware that you don't," Sofia says coolly. However, we no longer have the luxury of being careful. This opposing family is not as scary as Gianni's. He will ruin us all if we don't act fast. As Marco mulls over what she said, the room goes quiet. I can see the wheels moving in his thoughts as his j
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Marco approaches me while softly cupping my face with his outstretched palms. We're not going to lose everything. As long as I am still alive, no.He says things that should reassure me, but they don't. I am aware of the hazard. I am aware that we will be entering an unwinnable conflict if Sofia's plan fails.Sofia gets to her feet, ending our heated exchange. "We must move quickly. The competing family gets more power the longer we wait. And whether we like it or not, they will pursue us if we don't act quickly.Marco wipes a hand across his face and sighs. He appears worn out, as though the entire world is pressing down on him. It is, in a sense. Now that he is bearing the weight of the entire city, he must make a decision that could either save us or bring about our destruction.Finally, in a strained voice, he states, "I need time to think."Sofia understands and nods. But Marco, don't waste too much time. Time is running out, no time to waste please hope you get it.There is a de
