Aria was already weeping silently on the sofa when Mr. Santos began the story. It was anything but pleasant to finally know the truth surrounding her brother's death, but Rosana was determined to hear it. Maybe, just maybe, her brother had died and Sergio had nothing to do with it like the stranger accused. Maybe it was all a lie! A lie... She didn't even know what to believe anymore."After your husband killed his father and took over as Mafia Lord, he gained a lot of enemies than friends. Your brother, Nino was lucky to be amongst the few men closest to him, but it did not last for long. Your husband... He killed him, drove a knife straight to his heart"He paused for some time and looked out of the window, allowing the story to sink in. Then, he continued."The Don was known for having a short temperament. He was also known for discarding anyone who stood on his path, along with their families. After killing your brother, he came for us and I had to do what I thought was best. I ha
Everyone in the room saw what had happened, but she refused to get any help from them. The pain was a cruel and heartbreaking reminder of the life that was slipping through her fingers, the death of her brother, and the betrayal of the man she loved. With her body and mind rebelling against his touch, against his very presence, she chose to suffer alone. "Please... Let me get you to the hospital" Enzo said, panic laced in his voice as he took a careful step forward towards her."No!" She screamed in pain and took a step backward, still clutching her stomach. Her face was now slick with sweat, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Rosana, please!" Sergio begged, almost falling on his knees. "You are losing a lot of blood!"Rosana felt herself slipping away. Her vision became blurry, but before she could collapse to the floor, Enzo held her. She screamed and tried to fight him off, but it was of no use. The pain was too much, too intense and she didn't have any more strength to keep up
After forcing herself to eat, Rosana finally stepped out of the room. First, she met with the twins who were super excited to meet their mother after two days of absence. She spent some time with them and was glad they didn't look burdened by what was happening—for now. No sooner or later, she knew they were going to catch up on things and she wasn't ready for that moment yet."Are you sure we can trust this man?" Mr. Santos asked when she joined them. "We cannot just let him in""He wants to see me, so let him in""But..." Her father started saying, but Enzo cut him off."That is Donna's order!"Mr. Santos shot a venomous glance at Enzo, who met it with a bored expression, his eyes gleaming with a hint of defiance. The air was thick with tension as the two men engaged in a silent standoff, their mutual disdain discernable. It was clear they weren't so fond of each other, especially because the Underboss was Sergio's brother and Enzo wasn't one to be intimidated or take orders from any
TWO WEEKS LATER•••Sergio stood in front of the window, his hands buried inside the pockets of his impeccably tailored trousers. Gone was his usual polished demeanor, now replaced by a more rugged, sleep-deprived look. His usual sleek hair was disheveled and there were dark circles under his eyes. For two weeks, he had stationed himself outside Rosana's residence, refusing to leave despite her father's countless rejections. He also made no attempt to force his way in, choosing instead to patiently wait for Rosana's acceptance even when he knew he didn't deserve any. He had killed her brother, and then, their unborn child... Memories from that night tormented him restlessly, slicing through him like a razor-sharp knife. No physical torture could hurt more than thinking of her, of relieving those moments—the tears in her eyes, the anguish etched on her features as Enzo took her away, the blood that had seeped out from within her, the loss of their unborn child... Those haunting memor
Rosana's eyes, once filled with a mix of emotions, were now filled with tears as she stood before Sergio, her voice cracking. "Why? Why did you kill him? Why did you take him away from us?"Sergio's face contorted in pain, but her cold gaze pierced through his defenses. She took a step closer, her hands shaking. "He was innocent, Sergio. He had nothing to do with your wars, your vendettas. He was just a boy, full of life and dreams... And you took that away from him, from me, from our family."As she spoke, her voice rose and tears streamed down her face. The pain she felt was too raw, too fresh as though the wounds had been reopened and Sergio's presence only made it worse."Why?" she screamed, her fists clenched around her umbrella. "Why did you do it? What could he have possibly done to deserve such a fate?"Sergio halted a few inches away from her, his body language screaming defeat as the rain continued to fall heavily, making his lean figure more vulnerable. His shirt clung to hi
Sergio's shirtless torso glistened with blood and sweat, his muscles strained as he hung, suspended from the rusty chains. His wrists were bound above his head, the chains cutting deep and rough into his skin. The men had strung him up, beaten and tortured him the best way they could, and then they left him in the dimly lit room, heavy with the stench of decay and blood.Each breath was a labored gasp as blood dripped from the multiple stab wounds on his body, mixing with the sweat that trickled down his torso. A lot of time had passed before Mr. Santos returned and went to stand before him, his face twisted in cruel satisfaction. He had spent his entire life waiting for that moment—the opportunity to avenge his son's tragic death and make Sergio accountable for the pain and suffering he had inflicted upon them. And now, thanks to Rosana's discovery of the truth, the tables had turned and Sergio was now at his mercy. He was now vulnerable, defenseless, and had walked right into his h
THREE DAYS LATER•••Sergio's body seemed almost lifeless, a mere shell of its former self. His chest barely rose with each labored breath, the only sign of life in this broken, battered form. The stench of blood, sweat, and suffering clung to him, a proof of the torment and torture he had endured for four days.Deep slashes oozed crimson, while older cuts had formed crusty scabs. Bruises, dark and purple distorted his features, making his face swollen and almost unrecognizable. His eyes were sunken as dark circles etched beneath them, signifying exhaustion and pain. His cheeks were hollow, skin stretched taut over bones while his lips were cracked and swollen, revealing a glimpse of bloodied teeth."He refuses to give up," Federico, one of the men said to Mr. Santos as they walked into the room together."It is not in his nature to give up easily, but he surely will. I still need him alive, this is nothing compared to what I have in store for him""What if he survives? We will all be
Sergio was missing! Rosana's mind raced as she paced frantically in her room, her eyes darting wildly. Her heart thundered in her chest, her hands trembled, and her fingers twitched with anxiety. Four days. For four days, he had been missing and she had assumed he'd moved on, accepted her rejection, and vanished from her life.But now, the truth hit her like a tidal wave—something was terribly wrong. Restlessness coursed through her veins, making her skin prickle with unease. Every step, every thought, every heartbeat screamed different questions. Where was Sergio? What happened after that night? Was he safe and okay?"Goodness!" Her breath came in short gasps, her lungs constricting with fear. She needed answers! "What is wrong?" Aria asked once Rosana joined her in the garden. At first glance, she knew something was off. "Are you alright?""No-no... I am not alright, Mammà.""Why? What happened?" Aria asked, taking off her farming gloves. "I saw you with Enzo a while ago.""Yes. Se
EPILOGUE>>PART 2After the handshake, they stood side by side in silence. The unexpected turn of events still shocked Alberto as he couldn't believe everything had gone smoothly, and he was now standing beside the one person he least expected to make amends with.As they stood, a question that had been nagging in his mind popped in and he couldn't resist asking. "About the scar on your chest... Did I do that? During the fight, I mean"More than once, he had caught glimpses of the scar when Enzo trained shirtless. And due to the depth, Alberto couldn't help but wonder if he was responsible for it."Nah. A girl." Enzo replied curtly.Alberto had not anticipated a response, but then, a girl??? Who could she be? What was her relationship with Enzo? The scar seemed too severe to be inflicted by someone Enzo didn't have a deep connection with. Alberto was curious, but he knew better than to pry even when the question still lingered in his mind. Just as they resumed standing in silence, Luc
EPILOGUETWO YEARS LATER... The lavish table was set with fine china, crystal glasses, and silverware. Golden candelabras adorned the center, casting a warm glow over the spread of meat, steaming dishes, salads, desserts, and fresh fruits. The family had gathered for a grand Thanksgiving celebration with Ville, Carmencita, Lucretia, Alberto, and Alfonso in attendance. The twins, now 7 years old, burst with energy and raced around the dining room, pursuing Enzo. "I'm gonna catch you, Uncle Enzo""And why do you think so?" Enzo asked, breathing heavily as the twins continued their relentless pursuit."Because I'm the fastest""No, you're not," Vincenzo countered, trying hard to overcome his elder brother."I am""You're not!""I am"As the kids kept competing against one another, Alberto watched the commotion with a warm smile on his face, while sipping his whiskey. He hadn't expected an invitation from Sergio and was shocked when he received one. That was the first time he was dinin
Chapter 190Sergio's eyes locked on Rosana's as the air between them crackled with anticipation. It had been far too long since they'd last been intimate, and the tension was undeniable."Rosana." He called out and took a step closer to her. She stood frozen, her heart racing, as his fingers traced the curve of her spine. He gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and that sent shivers down her spine. With his eyes never leaving hers, he leaned in and grazed the curve of her neck with his lips. Rosana's eyelids fluttered close as she tilted her head, inviting him deeper. Just as she craved, he trailed kisses along her skin, each one igniting a spark that nearly engulfed her.Moaning quietly, she raised her hand to his chest and felt the warmth of his skin beneath his shirt. She tugged gently and Sergio's lips curved into a smile as he obliged, shedding his shirt to reveal the chiseled contours of his torso.Their eyes met once more, the connection between them wild and electr
As Rosana stepped into the house, she was immediately surrounded by the warm glow of twinkling candles and the sweet fragrance of fresh flowers. Her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the breathtaking sight before her. What could be the occasion? It wasn't the twins' birthday nor was it their marriage anniversary."Welcome home, Mammà!" The twins chimed in unison, their faces lighting up with excitement. They stood in the entrance of the hall, each holding a bouquet of colorful flowers."Oh, thank you, my sweet knights," Rosana responded, her heart swelling with love and gratitude as she knelt to hug them. She then got the flowers and inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet scent."Welcome home, Amore mio. The kids wanted to surprise you. They've been working on this all day" Rosana's eyes met Sergio's, and she felt a flutter in her chest. He was now standing behind the twins with a warm smile on his face and deep down, she knew that this was more than just a sweet gesture from the
Chapter 188A MONTH LATER•••"Things have been getting better. Sergio is slowly putting the past behind him and doesn't avoid me anymore. My favorite time of the day is when he comes home to us."Lucretia's face lit up with a warm smile as she sipped her lemonade. "Oh, that's awesome. I'm thrilled to hear that, Ana, you deserve it."Rosana's expression turned thoughtful, and she inhaled deeply. "I still quiver thinking about how close I came to losing him.""Well, I'm glad you came to your fucking senses and made things right"The two friends lapsed into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts, reflecting on the twists and turns their lives had taken over the past few years. Lucretia's thoughts drifted back to the rough months that had passed. She remembered the pain and the fear, the sleepless nights and the endless tears. But most of all, she remembered the realization that had hit her like a ton of bricks—Enzo was still alive.She hadn't seen him again since that nig
FEW DAYS LATER>>> AT THE CAPITALThe Mafia men stepped out of the meeting room, dressed in black suits that fitted their muscular bodies perfectly. Their faces were expressionless, hidden behind dark sunglasses as they stepped out of the Capital, disappearing into waiting black vehicles. As the rest of the men left, Alberto hung back, helping Ville and Enzo with some tasks. Within the past few weeks, he had gotten along with Ville and Alfonso, but things were tougher with Enzo. No matter how hard he tried, Enzo either ignored him or gave him a menacing glare that left him shaken. Still, Alberto refused to give up. He was determined to make amends for his past mistakes and earn forgiveness and acceptance, especially from his half-brothers Sergio and Enzo."You should head back home," Ville said to him three hours later. "I'll finish up from here""Yeah... About that... I've got nothing else to do. I'd rather finish up with you than return to that cold empty house"Ville chuckled and
Sergio paused in front of the bedroom door, his hand hovering over the door knob. He had timed his entrance perfectly, believing Rosana would be fast asleep and he would be spared the agony of avoiding her. Instead, he conjured up an image of watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest while she slept peacefully. He longed to caress her hair and cheek, planting soft kisses on her forehead.Taking a deep breath, he turned the knob and pushed the door open. His expectations were shattered once he met with Rosana standing on the other side, her blue eyes wide and wary. She wasn't asleep, because unlike him, she had been waiting, ready to confront him and have that conversation he had been avoiding. "Bambolina!" Sergio's low and gentle voice washed over her like a gentle caress, triggering a flurry of emotions that left her breathless. Her lips parted, but there were no words. She just stood frozen, staring at him with wide eyes as though he had just emerged from thin air. Time seem
Ville raised an eyebrow, his skepticism, evident. Choosing not to pursue the matter further, he steered the conversation back on track as though there was no interruption. Sergio, too, didn't press for more information because he knew his brother's stubbornness all too well.Feeling thankful that they hadn't pushed the issue, Enzo lowered his gaze in an attempt to avoid Sergio's scrutiny. The truth was too raw and too painful. No matter how hard they pushed, he couldn't bring himself to share it, not now, not ever. He knew the consequences of revealing even a fragment of it and wasn't ready for that. For now, they would remain locked away, hidden behind his stoic facade until he was finally able to erase her and memories of their past. *****Rosana stood at the bedroom window, cradling a glass of wine as she gazed out into the night sky. The evening breeze carried a soothing calm, silencing her mind.She had just finished dinner with the family and Enzo. Seeing that the twins were s
Rio's sleepy eyes fluttered open, drawn to the soft sobs and sniffles that pierced the night air. He spotted Lucretia huddled on the windowsill and immediately scampered off the bed, rushing to her side. "Mammà, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Lucretia lifted her head, her puffy, teary eyes meeting Rio's concerned face. She hadn't realized he was awake. Quickly wiping away her tears, she forced a fragile smile and pulled him close."It's nothing, amore. I was just... thinking,"Rio's brow furrowed. "Are you hurt, Mammà? You fell on the floor and wouldn't open your eyes.""Oh, that..." Lucretia's voice trembled as she sniffled once more. "I'm sorry, I scared you. I was very tired and just... It will never happen again, I promise."Rio's small arms wrapped tightly around her, offering comfort. Then, suddenly, he pulled back, his eyes widening with curiosity. "Where's Uncle Enzo?"Lucretia froze. How did he know Enzo? "I can be friends with him because he's not a bad man, right?" R