MasukShare
Chapter 53
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-19 17:20:43
Bab terkait
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 54
"What happened, and why won't you tell me?" My voice breaks as I finally manage to speak. "Marco, I deserve to know." For a brief moment, I think I feel humiliation in his eyes as they move to mine. Then, as abruptly, his cold mask returns to its position. "I have nothing to say," The tears that welled up in my eyes are uncontrollable. With each second that goes by, it feels like he's getting further away from me. "Marco, please don't ignore me," I sob as I approach him. "Just talk to me, please." He furiously runs a hand through his hair as his face tightens and he turns away. "There's nothing to say, Francesca," I said. We're getting farther apart, and I feel like I'm losing him. Tears constrict in my throat, but I fight the need to cry. I refuse to cry once more. Not before him. "So that's it?" My voice trembles with anger and sorrow as I ask. "You just cut me off in this way? after everything we've experienced? He doesn't respond. The silence between us is stifling, full of
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-19Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 55
"We've got a bigger problem on our hands, Francesca," Marco replies sternly. His hands hold the windowsill as if it were the only thing keeping him grounded as he stands by the window, gazing out at the city lights."What's happening?" I ask, attempting to control my nervousness. It seems like something new is ready to hit us every time I turn around these days.He doesn't look in my direction. "A competing family. They have relocated to New Orleans and are attempting to seize control of the city by using the havoc Gianni has caused.My stomach sinks. "Take command? What does that signify for us, Marco?"It means that we're losing control of the city," he says, turning to face me at last with icy, serious eyes. And we lose everything if we lose control. We cannot allow them to become powerful. We own this city.I get a chill from what he said. He's never been that concentrated and furious in my experience. I'm afraid of it."Are you aware of their identities? What do they desire? I in
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-19Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 56
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-19Betrayal 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-20Betrayal 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-20Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 59
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-20Betrayal 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-20Betrayal 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-21
Bab terbaru
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 75
Sofia glances between us, her expression serious. “I’ll handle the logistics. We’ll move rapidly, and we’ll be in frequent contact. But be ready for anything.” I nod, my gut knotted with fear. Tonight, everything might change. We’re going to step into the dark, into the lion’s den. And there’s no telling what…or who…awaits us. As we prepare to go, the weight of the decision weighs down on me like never before. The hazards are larger than they’ve ever been, but we have no other alternative. We have to act. And we have to survive. As Marco, Luca, and Francesca prepare to meet the new opponent in the warehouse, the stakes are greater than ever. With the danger drawing closer and no way of knowing what awaits them, one incorrect action may cost them everything. Will they survive the showdown, or will the new adversary strike first? The night seems darker than normal as we make our way to the building. The address Sofia’s contact gave us looms in the distance, a scary shadow in the da
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 74
I swallow hard, trying to ignore the increasing sensation of terror that seeps into my gut. “How do we even start looking for them?” I inquire, my voice barely above a whisper. “We don’t have any leads.” “We’ll get one,” Marco adds, his tone leaving no space for dispute. “Sofia’s contact is working on it. We simply need to be patient.” But patience is the last thing I have right now. Every second that goes by seems like another second closer to disaster. Closer to the adversary we still can’t see. As the minutes turn into hours, my anxiousness only intensifies. Marco and Luca are deep in discourse, contemplating various strategies and methods to gain the upper hand. But all I can think about is how everything appears to spiral out of control. I sat beside the window, staring blankly at the night sky, my heart heavy with terror. The more I watch Marco and Luca prepare for what seems like another battle, the more my imagination races with worst-case possibilities. “What if this nev
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 73
Sofia arrives at the hospital two days later with a determined expression on her face despite her pallor. She enters the room and declares, "I've reached out to someone." "A former underworld contact." He may know the identity of this new adversary.I look at Marco, and I can see the discomfort in his eyes. "Are you certain we can rely on him?" Marco asks in a doubtful tone. "Sofia, we are in dangerous territory.""I understand," Sofia responds steadily. But there is nothing we can do. It's no longer just about us. We're all in trouble if this person is as dangerous as I've heard. We require every available assistance.Feeling conflicted, I bite my lip. Sofia is correct; if her contact can provide us with the answers we need, it may be our only option. However, I'm terrified of the idea of delving even further into the criminal underworld. We've already lost a great deal. How much more are we willing to risk?At last, Marco declares in a determined tone, "We'll meet him." However, we
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 72
Her remarks were like a kick to the stomach. One more adversary. One more danger. It sounds worse than Gianni, this one."Are you sure, Sofia?" My voice is hardly steady as I inquire.With an agitated tone, she responds, "I'm sure." "You must use caution, Francesca. You're not secure. None of us is.As I hang up, my head is racing from the weight of Sofia's warning, and my heart is pounding. With my hands shaking and my face pallid, I turn to face Luca.I mumble, my voice cracking, "Luca." "There's another person. It was not only Gianni.As the truth sinks in, Luca's face hardens and his eyes widen. "Who?" he asks in a low, menacing voice."I'm not sure," I answer, my throat constricted. Sofia, however, believes that he is much more dangerous than Gianni.Tension permeates the air as the room becomes quiet. The fear is beginning to step in and envelop me like a thick mist.A fresh adversary appeared out of the shadows just as I believed that the situation was fully resolved. I'm not s
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 71
"Is he visible to me?" After hours of sobbing and begging, my voice hoarse and sounds like a whisper.The physician gives a nod. "You can, but only temporarily. He needs to sleep.I move toward Marco's room without waiting for him to finish, my feet moving as if they were on autopilot. I must see him. He must still be with me, I must know that.I'm astounded to see Marco lying there so still as soon as I enter the room. He is connected to equipment, and the only sound in the room is the heart monitor's steady beep. He has bandages all over his body and a pale, almost ghostly face. He is, however, breathing. That is all that is important.To avoid disturbing the IV that is connected to his arm, I carefully take his hand in mine as I approach him. I clutch to the warmth of his flesh as if it were the only thing keeping me rooted.I tremble as I grasp his hand and whisper, "You're going to be okay." "You must be."I eventually give myself a moment of relief as I sit next to him. He is st
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 70
I'm at a loss for what to do. I have no control over anything that occurs. I am unable to wage this struggle on his behalf. I can pray, though.I tremble as I say, "Please," tears streaming down my face. "Don't take him away from me, please. I can't let him go just yet. Not after everything.My body trembles with quiet sobbing as the tears become more intense and I bury my face in my hands. The Moon Goddess may or may not be listening, but I have to think she is. There must still be hope, in my opinion.I mutter, "He’s everything to me," while I cry. "Just give me more time, please. Let him live, please.The length of time I spend kneeling on the chilly floor with my hands clenched together in fervent prayer is unknown to me. The tears soon cease, though, and all that's left in my chest is an empty emptiness.I gently get to my feet, wipe my eyes, and go back to the chair. Luca turns to face me, worry shining in his eyes.He responds, rather quietly, "He’ll pull through," but I can he
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 69
My voice cracks as I whisper, "I'm not losing you." Marco, can you hear me? I won't lose you.His head lolls to the side and his eyelids flutter close without a response."Marco!" I yell and give him a light shake in an attempt to encourage him to open his eyes and stay with me. He doesn't, however, move. I feel as though my heart is being torn apart as his chest rises and falls with feeble breaths."Assist!" My voice is rough with desperation as I shout. "Help, someone, please!"But now that the fight is finished and the enemy has been vanquished, the warehouse is eerily silent. I'm not heard. Nobody shows up.Even if the conflict is finished, the battle for Marco's life has only just begun, I know as I kneel next to him, his blood still soaking through my fingertips. Marco's life is in jeopardy, but Gianni is dead.Furthermore, I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to save him.As we get to the hospital, the world is a blur. I'm sitting in the back seat, holding Marco's head in my lap w
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 68
Every time my heart beats, it serves as a reminder that time is passing. I can't let him go. Not in this manner. Not right now."Hold on," I plead once more, applying more pressure to the cut in an attempt to stop the blood flow. My fingers are numb from the chilly horror that grips me, and my hands shake with the effort. "Just a bit more time, Marco. Please.His eyes awaken and briefly fix themselves on mine. Maybe I'm seeing things, but there seems to be a faint smile. He is making an effort to remain strong and with me. I'm not sure how much longer he can fight, though, because his face is etched with misery.Abruptly, the sound is broken by a piercing scream. I notice Gianni as I look up, and my heart jumps into my throat. His back is against the distant wall as he stands there, his eyes wide with terror. Panic has taken the place of the arrogant look he had when he first entered this warehouse.He is flanked by Luca and a couple of the men from the enemy family. Either Gianni's w
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 67
I see Marco amid the mayhem, firing at Gianni's men with his gun raised, as I peek around the edge of the crates. Beside him, Luca is engaged in combat with a fierceness I have never witnessed. With bodies moving in a haze of carnage and devastation, the warehouse resembles a battlefield.I see Gianni standing close to the rear of the room, his face still arrogant, as though he's taking pleasure in this, and my breath catches in my throat. My heart stops when he lifts his rifle and points it at Marco."No!" I scream, but the commotion drowns out the sound.The bullet just misses Marco by inches as he moves in time, but Gianni's expression indicates that this isn't the end of it. By no means.I hear a cry of pain just when I think it can't be much worse. I turn my head around, trying to find the source of the sound as my blood runs cold.At that moment, I spotted him…Marco….on the ground."No," I say in a whisper that is almost heard over the fighting noises. "No, no, no."Blood is stre
