Kimberly POV The makeup artist kept layering foundation on my face, her strokes firm and deliberate. I wondered how many more layers it would take before I couldn't recognize myself completely.“This is enough,” I finally said, my voice laced with irritation.“The bruises need to be completely covered, maam," she replied without hesitation. I sighed and gave in. The bruises from Marcus and Treo were not something I wanted to carry visibly into the ceremony, but I could already imagine myself looking like a witch under all that makeup. When Leonardo's hand tightened around my waist as we stepped onto the red carpet, I immediately stiffened. The pressure from his grip reminded me that escape wasn't an option, not tonight. The camera flashes were blinding and incestent, the fake smiles on my face was beginning to exhaust me. We posed for several business photos, greeted a few important faces, and eventually made our way inside. The interior was chilling. The lights were dim, cas
Chapter 1 Kimberley POV:"You can't just fire me, sir. I've done so much for this company!" I shouted, my voice shaking with disbelief.Yes, I’d made a mistake…or so they said, but fire me? Just like that? It didn’t make sense.“Do you even understand what you’ve done?” My boss’s voice dropped, cold and sharp. “Kimberley, you leaked our company’s secret formula to our top competitor.”!“What?!” I gasped. “That’s not true! I would never! ”“You can deny it all you want,” he cut in. “I should’ve called the police. But considering the years we’ve worked together, and your past record, I’m offering you an alternative.” He shoved a file across the desk.My eyes flickered to the paper inside, dreading what it might say. The figure on the page stopped my breath. $4,500. Damages.“I didn’t do this!” I protested. “This is a mistake! someone’s framing me!”“Shut your mouth!” a voice rang out.Magret, my boss’s wife, stormed in. Before I could react, she slapped me so hard that my vision blurre
Kimberley POV:I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange room. Dark but surprisingly well ventilated. It took me time to adjust to the new environment, I finally did but,..Where am I? My pulse quickened. Suddenly, Memories of yesterday rushed in like a flood. “My father!” I wanted to scream, but my voice caught in my throat. Then, I heard it—a deep, commanding voice cutting through the stillness. “Never! Never do more than I send you!”“Who is that?” I held my breath, straining to listen.“He was proving stubborn... getting in my way.” Another voice, shaky yet defiant, wavered as if someone were being choked.Their conversation was muffled, words bouncing around like distorted whispers. Something about “D'Bon”... and “go ahead.” But I couldn’t fathom it. “I never asked you to kill him!” The first voice rumbled with anger. Silence followed, thick and unbearable.A sickening thud echoed, followed by a sharp hiss that made my neck prickle. “Bury him,” the voice commanded coldly.
Leonardo POV: I gently brushed a strand of her deep, red hair away, its softness warm beneath my fingertips. I couldn’t help but wonder how much care it took to keep it that way. My gaze softened as I looked at her—unchanged from six years ago. How could she forget? Forget that she was the one who had pulled me from the brink of death.My gaze darkened as I examined a tear marring her skin. It looked fresh, like a brand from a fire. "Who did this to you?" I asked, my voice low and cold, surprising even myself with the intensity of my concern."Who did this to her Enzo?" I barked at my henchman, a muscle-bound guard I had assigned to keep an eye on her."She was stubborn, Don," he replied, his voice trembling slightly under my scrutiny.The realisation hit me like a bullet—Enzo had laid his hands on her.In a flash, I was at Enzo’s side, pinning him against the wall with a force that echoed through the room. “For the second time today, Enzo, you defied my order!” His action ignited
Kimberley POV: I woke to sharp sunlight streaming through the window, forcing my eyes open. Disoriented, I blinked against the brightness. How had I fallen asleep so deeply? I scolded myself—this is unlike me.A knock came at the door, and before I could respond, it opened. I tensed, bracing myself for the "Don"—the one whose name I didn’t yet know. But the voice that greeted me was female.“Good morning, ma’am,” she said curtly. “I’m Helen. I’ve been assigned as your personal maid.”I looked up, my relief barely contained. At least she was younger, with a face that seemed capable of a smile, unlike the stern, older woman who had attended to me yesterday.“Mr. Fiore requests you come downstairs. He’s expecting you,” she continued. “I’m here to get you ready.”"Mr. Fore?" I muttered, almost too loudly. "What sort of name is that?"She stiffened slightly. "Fiore, ma’am," she corrected quickly, then added, “Please, let me help you prepare.”She looked chatty, eager even, but I swallowed
Kimberley POV:"Place your watch securely. Report any unusual activity to me," I heard Mr. Fiore say on the phone as I descended the steps.His face was serious, brows furrowed with worry. Whatever was being discussed was far from trivial.At the bottom of the stairs, a woman suddenly embraced me in a warm hug, catching me off guard. Her perfume was sweet, comforting. For a moment, I wanted to stay in her arms, to forget everything. When she finally let go, I took in her features—blonde hair, bright almond eyes, her smile so easy it seemed impossible not to return it.“What a gem Leonardo’s bagged for himself!” she said brightly.I forced a smile. “Good evening.”“I’m Emiliana. But please, just call me Emily.” She practically radiated happiness, the kind I hadn’t seen since I got here.“Kimberly,” I replied, my smile straining."I can't wait for the wedding," she added, her excitement palpable. I couldn't help but wonder what made her so blissful about the whole thing."Let's go shopp
Kimberly POV:The dresses arrived, and I had to go downstairs to check them. Leonardo was already there, seated, phone pressed to his ear. The sight of him made my stomach churn, so I turned my face, pretending I hadn’t seen him. He ended his call and leaned back, gesturing toward the pile of white dresses. “Try them on.”I hesitated, the thought of changing in front of him twisting my insides. But before I could object, Helen stepped in, reading my discomfort. “This way,” she said gently, guiding me toward a small dressing room off to the side. Inside, I stared at the mountain of fabric. Trying on wedding dresses—dresses I didn’t want—felt like surrender. But what choice did I have? At least Leonardo hadn’t killed me yesterday. I could call that a win... for now. I pulled on the first dress—a sleeveless gown with a furry jacket that felt more suited for a high-society brunch than a wedding. I stepped out, awkwardly crossing my arms, standing in front of Leonardo in the most un
KIMBERLY POVLeonardo didn’t return for a week, leaving me alone in this room with nothing but my thoughts and memories. I couldn’t sleep—every time I closed my eyes, images of Lan and my father drifted in, like ghosts I couldn’t escape. I stared at the ceiling until it blurred. My tears had run dry days ago, but the ache lingered, heavy and dull. With a sigh, I got up and stretched. Staying confined made no sense. Leonardo forbade me from roaming freely, but what was the point of this so-called tour if I stayed locked inside? Dressed in a pair of bum shorts and a faded T-shirt, I doubted anyone could call me provocative. Slipping through the door, I wandered outside, craving air—freedom. The night was cool, the sky stretched wide and endless above me. For a moment, I let my guard down, tilting my face toward the stars. Then, I heard it. A loud screech tore through the stillness, and my stomach dropped. Leonardo. He’s back. Panic twisted in my chest. There was no way I co
Kimberly POV The makeup artist kept layering foundation on my face, her strokes firm and deliberate. I wondered how many more layers it would take before I couldn't recognize myself completely.“This is enough,” I finally said, my voice laced with irritation.“The bruises need to be completely covered, maam," she replied without hesitation. I sighed and gave in. The bruises from Marcus and Treo were not something I wanted to carry visibly into the ceremony, but I could already imagine myself looking like a witch under all that makeup. When Leonardo's hand tightened around my waist as we stepped onto the red carpet, I immediately stiffened. The pressure from his grip reminded me that escape wasn't an option, not tonight. The camera flashes were blinding and incestent, the fake smiles on my face was beginning to exhaust me. We posed for several business photos, greeted a few important faces, and eventually made our way inside. The interior was chilling. The lights were dim, cas
Kimberly POV Avoiding Leonardo throughout the rest of the week was easier than I thought it would be. A part of me wondered if I secretly wanted him to come find me, to talk things through. But if he couldn’t fight for me, then what was the point?I threw myself into my hospital sessions and all I can say is that it's really tiring. Each day felt like my energy was being drained. Emily had been visiting often,always reaching out and looking out for me. I felt guilty for not reciprocating her warmth, but healing, as I had learned, wasn’t just physical.Leonardo, on the other hand, was almost a ghost. He was always at work or out on business, and some nights, he didn’t come home at all. I told myself it didn’t matter. It had to stop mattering.“How are you feeling now, Kimberly?” Mario’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.I turned to see him standing by the doorway, his familiar smile easing some of the tension in my chest. “I’m fine, Mario. How’s Enzo? I hope he’s getting better.”Be
Kimberly POV “Kimberly, are you okay?” Leonardo’s voice cut through, his tone sharp with urgency. “Oh my goodness, she’s having a seizure!” someone else shouted, panic rising in their voice. I felt hands on my body, several of them, pinning me down to stop my convulsions. My muscles screamed in protest, but I couldn’t control them. Through the chaos, my gaze locked onto Leonardo’s deep blue eyes. He wasn’t in front of me anymore, but his eyes lingered in my mind like a trance. “Can she stop staring in one direction?” a voice asked, tinged with confusion. “We need to get her stabilised first,” another replied firmly. Then I felt a shock on my chest, cold and jarring, ripping through my chest like lightningOne! Two! My body arched, and I gasped, air finally rushing back into my lungs. My eyes shifted, breaking free from the fixation. The room spun around me, and I felt the faintest hint of calm before exhaustion overtook me. In no time, I drifted into sleep. Even in m
Kimberly POV The sterile white walls of the hospital room are a stark contrast to the suffocating darkness I’d been trapped in just hours ago. My body was heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and lingering pain. I flinched as the needle pressed into my arm shifted slightly, the sharp sting reminding me that I was alive. I glanced around, my gaze falling on the empty chair by the bed. The room was silent except for the faint beeping of the monitors. Just as I began to wonder how I got here, the door creaked open. I quickly shut my eyes, feigning sleep, though the effort made my head throb. "In a few hours, she'll regain full consciousness," a woman’s voice, calm but slightly uncertain spoke. A nurse, I assumed. "You’ve been saying that for 46 hours," came the low, gravelly reply. I’d recognize that voice anywhere. Leonardo. His tone was quieter than usual, almost as if he was afraid of disturbing me, but it carried an unmistakable weight of frustration. "The anaesthetic shou
The night stretched endlessly as we arrived at the port, only to be stopped by cops at the gate.“Hold it right there. You can’t go in,” a voice barked.I rattled the gate, testing if it was unlocked, but it held firm. A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I stepped back and watched Enzo negotiate with the security officer. The man’s sceptical gaze shifted to me, his eyes narrowing as he took in my dishevelled appearance. I know I look no different from a street hoodlum. Part of my shirt torn, the dirty jacket I had grabbed earlier hung on my shoulder.“How do I know you’re a Fiore?” the cop asked, his tone laced with suspicion.Mario intervened, flashing our ID. “This is enough proof.” I stayed silent, too focused on the task ahead to entertain conversation. The clock was ticking, and every wasted second gnawed at my patience.After a moment of scrutiny, the cop relented. “Okay,” he muttered, unlocking the gate and letting us through.“Don’t cause trouble.” Trouble was the least o
The sound of gunfire echoed endlessly, a grim reminder that this nightmare was far from over. I tried contacting Enzo and Mario, but neither line was connecting. Salvatore’s men were dwindling in numbers, but reinforcements seemed to appear from nowhere, emerging like shadows. “Your last wish, Salvatore?” I asked, my voice sharp as I cornered him. “To hell with you,” he spat, fear and anger flickering in his eyes like a dying flame. “Are you sure that’s how you want to end it?” I tilted my head, cocking my gun. “After all, what have you done with your miserable life?” He moved suddenly, his hand darting toward his pocket. My finger tightened on the trigger, and I fired before he could pull anything out. But either I was too slow, or the force of the bullet knocked something loose. A small metallic ball rolled from his hand and clattered to the floor. My instincts screamed, but it was too late—a deafening explosion ripped through the air, and a thick, choking cloud envel
Kimberly POV The crusty, dry bread lay on the floor in front of me, its stale scent wafting up and twisting my empty stomach. My body ached, but my pride burned hotter. There was no way I’d stoop so low to eating something this disgusting. Marcus strolled in, his sharp eyes zeroing in on the untouched bread. “Why aren’t you eating, baby girl?” His voice was calm, but there was venom beneath it. I didn’t answer. He tilted his head, smirking. “What’s wrong? Has Leonardo been feeding you something better than what your father ever could?” My fists clenched, but I kept my face blank, letting my thoughts drift. Once upon a time, To be honest, this bread would have been a nice meal for me and my dad. But since I got in with Leonardo I only ate rich foods. Butter bread. Now, the memory of enjoying something so plain felt foreign I turned my head away, refusing to meet Marcus’s gaze. His footsteps closed the distance between us. “You know,” he began, his voice softer, “you’re beau
Leonardo pov "I tried to find a hint in the video, and here..." The tech bro's voice broke through the static hum in the room, drawing my attention to the monitor. He pointed at the screen. "There’s a reflection of neon lights."I leaned in, squinting at the faint glow. The lights were blurry, barely distinguishable against the shadows."This is useless," Mario groaned, pacing behind me. "Neon lights are everywhere.""No, not this time," I said, my voice sharp. My mind raced, connecting the dots. "This is spring—neon light production slows down during this season. It’s expensive to maintain, so only people who already have it would use it.""Which means what?" Mario asked, crossing his arms."Salvatore and Marcus wouldn’t bother setting up neon lights just to record this video," I replied. "If there’s neon light in the room, someone nearby owns it."The tech bro hesitated. "But neon lights aren’t exactly rare—""They are when it comes to private ownership," I cut in, dragging a chair
Leonardo pov Getting the territory permanently seemed so close, almost within my grasp—until now. The insistent buzz of my phone shattered my thoughts. I’ve been ignoring business-related calls lately, focusing solely on finding Kimberly. Yet, when I glanced at the screen, the unfamiliar number gave me pause. My brows furrowed. It could only be Marcus or the other bastard. I answered. “Nardo, I never thought our next conversation would happen so soon,” came the voice, too casual for the situation. “Salvatore,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “Where the hell is Kimberly?” He laughed, a grating, mocking sound. “You took everything from me, Leonardo, and you think I’d let you live in peace?” His tone shifted, laced with malice. “Of course not, dear Nardo. I’ll take everyone who matters to you and ensure your precious Grece territory becomes utterly worthless.” “Get to the point,” I snapped. “What do you want? Let Kimberly go, and we’ll settle this.” Salvatore c