It was a few minutes past 10 pm when Xavier arrived home; the bodyguards at the entrance opened the door, and he entered. âBoss,â Dr. Emiliano, seated in the living room, greeted Xavier as he walked in. Xavier loosened his tie as he made his way up the stairs with Dr. Emiliano following him. Soon they arrived at Alexandre's door, and Xavier gently pushed the door open; however, the sight that met him was something he had been longing for for a long time. He quietly entered the room and approached the plush sofa ahead. âAmore mio,â he said, as he softly tucked the hairs in Reina's face behind her ear; a soft smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He took the book in Reina's hand and placed it on the table and gently removed her hand around Alexandre as he began to lift Alexandre from her arms, but he was surprised when Reina's eyes shot open as she protectively secured her arms around Alexandre, pulling him back. âIt's me. I want to put him to sleep,â Xavier said softly, and Reina
âXavier, my friend, if you're watching this, it means you woke up. Lucky bastard, I'm glad I won't be seeing you soon, since I'm already in hell. My wife and little princess, I don't want them to know I'm gone. I know you are smart, and you would come up with a way. Give her this box,â Nikolai said, and Alfonso, who was seated next to Nikolai's bed, waved the box he was holding, âGive it to her when my little princess turns 15. I've explained everything to them; till then, take my place. I..." Nikolai began, but blood started coming out of his mouth, and the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor filled the room, its persistent sounds breaking the tense silence as the machine recorded every heartbeat. Alfonso stood up just as Dr. Emiliano and other men in lab coats rushed to Nikolai's bed, and the video ended. Tears stung Xavier's eyes as he muttered, âThank you, buddy, may you rest in peace. I will take good care of your family.â End of flashback. ~âŞÂ°â˘ââ˘Â°âŞ~ Presently: The clock had
Nikolai's eyes shot open at the feeling of a finger tracing the scars on his chest. âNadia?â he said when he opened his eyes and was met with Nadia's piercing ones looking down at him.âDid you have a bad dream, my love?â Nadia asked, her brow furrowed with concern as she observed her husbandâs tense posture. The look in his eyes suggested a turmoil that left her heart heavy; it was as if he hadnât expected to find her there beside him. A surge of emotionsâpain, anger, and jealousyâflooded her mind at the unsettling thought that he might have been anticipating someone elseâs presence, perhaps that of his lover?Nikolai sat up abruptly, his heart pounding in his chest as the hazy remnants of the previous nightâs memories rushed back to him. âFuck, this wasn't happening,â he cursed silently, shaking his head as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, getting off, and headed toward the bathroom. But just as he did, he felt a soft hand encircle his waist from behind, pulling him back
A frown flickered across Dr. Emilianoâs face, his brow knitted in confusion. âMore than madam Reina?â he inquired. âYes, deeply. I couldn't stop myself this time, and I had sex with her; it's like a force controlling me. I couldn't fight it,â Nikolai explained. Dr. Emiliano leaned forward, curiosity etched on his face as he posed his question. âThis time? At what moment did you come to realize that you love her?â Nikolai paused, his brow furrowed in thought. âI think it was the day I awoke from the coma. Flashes of memories flooded my mindâvivid recollections of Nikolaiâs intimate moments shared with her that felt as if I had experienced them myself. And the moment I first laid eyes on her, I was struck with an overwhelming desire for her that rivaled the love I held for my own wife. That's why I held back from visiting her often, thinking I would be able to stop myself. But it was too complicated, too painful. But then yesterday happenedâI lost track of when it occurred, yet this
~â˘Â°â§Â°â˘~ A few days later: The past few days, Nadia had been acting like she didn't know the Nikolai she was living with was a fake. She cuddles with him at night, and they even had sex the previous night, and she kind of enjoyed it; she actually did. She thought she wouldn't since she knew he wasn't her husband. However, she felt she was betraying her husband, so she took contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. Even now as she lay in his strong arms, she was feeling horny. She loved sex after she married Nikolai. His insatiable appetite for sex made it feel as if their bodies were constantly seeking one another, igniting an intense and passionate feeling that she had never experienced before. Which was why she believed he was seeing someone else because of his love for sex, but she couldn't voice her suspicions because each time he returned home, he would be engrossed in spending time with Katya and often left the same day. That's why, determined to uncover the truth about his
~°â˘ââ˘Â°~ Colombia: The morning sunlight streamed through the office glass wall as Mr. Sergio stepped inside, his shoes tapping against the floor. âGood morning, Mr. Black,â he greeted warmly, his voice resonating in the quiet space. Lucas, seated behind his desk, met his gaze with a slight nod and offered, âHave a seat.â âThank you,â Mr. Sergio replied, sitting in the chair across from Lucas. He opened the leather briefcase resting on his lap, revealing a pile of documents, flash drives, and a brown envelope. He pulled out the envelope and several neatly stacked files and placed them before Lucas, his expression turning serious as he reported âInside this envelope, you will find screenshots from CCTV footage of you and your parents. Some were captured here in Mexico, while others trace back to Italy.â As Lucas processed the information, Sergio continued, âI don't know how the change came about, but your parents were very, excuse my words, poor when your mother was pregnant. They
~â˘Â°â°â˘~ The next morning: Sicily, Reina's eyes snapped open at the sharp sound of her bedroom door clicking shut, a subtle echo that broke the stillness of the room. Instantly, she was enveloped by the intoxicating masculine scent of Xavier, a mix of woodsy cologne and something uniquely him that sent a shiver down her spine. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she quickly swung her legs over the edge of the bed and walked across the room with a sense of urgency, drawn to the magnetic presence that filled the air. She opened the door, and peeking outside, she scanned the corridor, but the hall was empty. Disappointed, she stepped back inside, pulling the door shut. Reina completed her morning routine with a sense of satisfaction; Xavier was back, and she wanted to look her best. She carefully chose a long, beautiful, white, sleeveless, bodycon, backless dress that hung on her curves perfectly. She straightened her wavy hair, giving it a sleek, polished appearance, then styled it to
Andre smirked inwardly as he looked after Xavier's retreating figure, seeing he had successfully achieved his goal. However, Reina, on the other hand, continued her meal as if nothing had happened. She was trying to be the mature one and act like she was okay with Xavier's question when every fiber of her being told her Xavier was talking about himself. The thought that Xavier loved another woman awakened a possessiveness she didn't know she possessed; she wasn't this angry even when she found out Lucas got Bianca pregnant and loved her. That's why she decided to not change out of her clothes like Xavier wanted; she wanted him to feel a small portion of the pain she was feeling. She saw the finger marks on his chest when he carried her, and she had an inkling it wasn't Yolanda who left those marks. She hates him; she's boiling with anger. But since he displayed his anger even when she was trying to be understanding, then fine, it takes two to play this game after all. âMummy, can
Lucas paused, momentarily at the soft whisper of his name brushing against his ears like a gentle breeze. Curiosity piqued, he turned to investigate the source of the sound. However, when he gazed in the direction the sound came from, his gaze fell upon the broad back of a figure dressed in a black hood, seemingly in an argument with a woman he couldn't see her face. Not seeing any familiar face, he shrugged slightly, dismissing whatever thought. Shaking off the sensation, he continued on his way toward the parking lot.He had visited the amusement park because it was where he and his parents visited when he was a kid. But he ended up recalling his time with Reina at an amusement park years back, how he took Reina's cotton candy and ate it all at once. He remembers how she hit him on the chest and ran away. He and the bodyguards had searched for her tirelessly until he found her in the photo booth; it turned out the long line outside was caused by Reina's refusal to exit the booth.â
Reinaâs heavy eyelids fluttered at the soothing sound of a womanâs voice drifting through her haze. The gentle touch of a hand brushing her hair and tenderly caressing her face felt like home after a long and rough day. For a fleeting moment, a thought flashed in her mind: âWas she dead?â because the touch was the same gentle touch of her mother that used to soothe her during restless nights and her soft voice. âI'm sorry, mi querida,â Carlotta murmured, her voice laced with heartfelt sorrow. âYou have been through so much, carrying the weight of your parentsâ death all by yourself. TĂa is deeply sorryâtruly sorry for abandoning you, my brother.â Carlotta said, as she leaned in closer, her intentions filled with affection, she was about to place a kiss on Reinaâs forehead, but the sudden creak of the door swinging open halted her movement. Xavier stepped into the room, the air thick with tension as Carlotta took in his appearance; her expression shifted as she demanded calmly, âWha
This chapter contains scenes of violence, sexual content, and torture. Please skip it if it makes you uncomfortable, it does not contain any major plot.*** Andre hears the faint sound of gunshots from the distance, an indication Xavier had arrived and a crossfire battle was going on between his men and Xavierâs men. He looked at Alexandre's face and said, âHear that? Your daddy is here. Do you want to see him one last time before I blow your"âAndre pointed his finger to his temple and flicked his thumb and addedââYour brain out?â he asked, looking at Alexandre, who looked back at him with an emotionless gaze. Angry, he lifted his hand, connecting it to his cheek; that's when he finally got a reaction out of him. Alexandre said something, but it came out muffled due to the tape sealing his lips. âYou want to tell me something?â Andre asked and reached for the tape and pulled it off. âWhat did you want to tell me?â âI wish you had two lives.â Alexandre said in a cold voice, his ic
Xavier quickly jumped out of his car, his heart racing with a mix of urgency and anxiety as he hurried to his bedroom, each step quickening his pulse. Upon entering his bedroom, his gaze was instantly drawn to the woman sprawled on his bedâthe sheets pooling around her like gentle waves. She lay there, naked, her hair cascading across the pillow. Dried bloodstain marred her shoulder where he had marked, while her wrists bore the vivid trace of a bluish-purple bruise, a testament to her desperate attempts to escape the cruel grip of the handcuffs that bit into her skin when she attempted to break free. The crumpled sheets around her indicated the fierce struggle she endured from trying to release herself. He approached the bed with a heavy heart, climbing it to check her pulse, seeing how her body was still and unresponsive. A wave of relief washed over him when he felt her weak but steady breathing. He unclasped the cold metal of the handcuffs from her wrists. Gently, he lifted he
It was dark when Xavier's sports car came to a screeching halt at the parking lot of his hotel. He got out, slamming the door shut, and made his way up to his luxurious penthouse. As he entered, he headed straight for the bar and poured himself a generous amount of whiskey and downed it in one swift motion. "Damn it!!" he cursed, smashing the glass hard against the wall, where it shattered into pieces on the floor. Grabbing another glass and the whiskey bottle, he made his way to the bedroom. He sat on the floor and pulled off his shirt, and he leaned against the bed. âWhat have I fucking done!â he yelled, recalling Reina's painful expression, her tears as he ruthlessly thrust into her. âI'm sorry,â he muttered, seeing her wanting to go to that bastard after everything that had happened between them, after she fucking told him she loved him; his anger, combined with his remorse for cheating on her with Nadia, prevented him from thinking straight. He was huge, and taking a woman b
Trigger Warning: This chapter contains mature content and sexual scenes. Please read at your own risk. ~~~ The moment Reina and Alexandre walked out of the mansion, Xavier, who had been looking after her retreating figure, his expression darkened into a venomous glare as he turned to one of the bodyguards standing nearby and said, âTell the men to get ready; I'm going out.â âYes, boss,â the bodyguard said as he walked out of the mansion to go and fulfill his boss' request. ~â˘âŞÂ¤âŞâ˘~ After trailing Reina for the past four hours, Xavier, dressed in a black sweatpant and sweatshirt with the hood over his head, turned to leave the amusement park when he saw the face he didn't wish to see. He started walking over to where Reina was, but then her smiling face turned to him; he was about to smile when he noticed how her expression turned to one of surprise, then urgent, as she muttered, âLucas.â That's when he realized she wasn't looking at him, but behind. Xavier stood there as he wa
Andre smirked inwardly as he looked after Xavier's retreating figure, seeing he had successfully achieved his goal. However, Reina, on the other hand, continued her meal as if nothing had happened. She was trying to be the mature one and act like she was okay with Xavier's question when every fiber of her being told her Xavier was talking about himself. The thought that Xavier loved another woman awakened a possessiveness she didn't know she possessed; she wasn't this angry even when she found out Lucas got Bianca pregnant and loved her. That's why she decided to not change out of her clothes like Xavier wanted; she wanted him to feel a small portion of the pain she was feeling. She saw the finger marks on his chest when he carried her, and she had an inkling it wasn't Yolanda who left those marks. She hates him; she's boiling with anger. But since he displayed his anger even when she was trying to be understanding, then fine, it takes two to play this game after all. âMummy, can
~â˘Â°â°â˘~ The next morning: Sicily, Reina's eyes snapped open at the sharp sound of her bedroom door clicking shut, a subtle echo that broke the stillness of the room. Instantly, she was enveloped by the intoxicating masculine scent of Xavier, a mix of woodsy cologne and something uniquely him that sent a shiver down her spine. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she quickly swung her legs over the edge of the bed and walked across the room with a sense of urgency, drawn to the magnetic presence that filled the air. She opened the door, and peeking outside, she scanned the corridor, but the hall was empty. Disappointed, she stepped back inside, pulling the door shut. Reina completed her morning routine with a sense of satisfaction; Xavier was back, and she wanted to look her best. She carefully chose a long, beautiful, white, sleeveless, bodycon, backless dress that hung on her curves perfectly. She straightened her wavy hair, giving it a sleek, polished appearance, then styled it to
~°â˘ââ˘Â°~ Colombia: The morning sunlight streamed through the office glass wall as Mr. Sergio stepped inside, his shoes tapping against the floor. âGood morning, Mr. Black,â he greeted warmly, his voice resonating in the quiet space. Lucas, seated behind his desk, met his gaze with a slight nod and offered, âHave a seat.â âThank you,â Mr. Sergio replied, sitting in the chair across from Lucas. He opened the leather briefcase resting on his lap, revealing a pile of documents, flash drives, and a brown envelope. He pulled out the envelope and several neatly stacked files and placed them before Lucas, his expression turning serious as he reported âInside this envelope, you will find screenshots from CCTV footage of you and your parents. Some were captured here in Mexico, while others trace back to Italy.â As Lucas processed the information, Sergio continued, âI don't know how the change came about, but your parents were very, excuse my words, poor when your mother was pregnant. They