Kimberly POV "What do you mean you work for him?" My voice trembled as I spoke, my body already shaking.Ian's lips parted as if to explain, but I didn't let him."What the hell!" I screamed, unable to hold it in any longer.My chest heaved as I turned to him, disbelief crashing over me. "You've been working for Leonardo all this time?" The words tasted bitter in my mouth. "How? You've been in college, right?""Sis…""No! Don't call me that, Lan! Answer me!" I shoved his broad shoulder, but he barely moved. My hands curled into fists. "You can't be serious."This had to be a prank. A cruel, ridiculous joke. Ian wouldn’t, he couldn’t, have been a part of Leonardo’s world all this time."If this is a joke, stop it now." My voice wavered as I searched his face for any sign of teasing.But the man seated beside me stayed quiet, saying nothing and not ready to say anything either.The car came to a halt, and I could hardly wait for the engine to die before storming into the mansion.I met
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 "What do you mean you work for him?" My voice trembled as I spoke, my body already shaking.Ian's lips parted as if to explain, but I didn't let him."What the hell!" I screamed, unable to hold it in any longer.My chest heaved as I turned to him, disbelief crashing over me. "You've been working for Leonardo all this time?" The words tasted bitter in my mouth. "How? You've been in college, right?""Sis…""No! Don't call me that, Lan! Answer me!" I shoved his broad shoulder, but he barely moved. My hands curled into fists. "You can't be serious."This had to be a prank. A cruel, ridiculous joke. Ian wouldn’t, he couldn’t, have been a part of Leonardo’s world all this time."If this is a joke, stop it now." My voice wavered as I searched his face for any sign of teasing.But the man seated beside me stayed quiet, saying nothing and not ready to say anything either.The car came to a halt, and I could hardly wait for the engine to die before storming into the mansion.I met
“Where’s Monica, Leo?” I asked the moment he finished changing Arianna’s diaper that morning.Speaking of diapers, Leo was becoming more like a mum when it comes to that.His hands moved with practiced ease, yet I noticed a slight tremor as he lifted her from the changing table. He carried her to the crib, rocking her gently until her eyes fluttered closed. Then, with a quiet sigh, he turned to sit beside me.“Since Arianna’s birth… I haven’t wanted to stain my hands with blood. At least, not now,” he murmured, rubbing his palms together.I sat up, my curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”His jaw tensed slightly before he answered. “I sent her to the family's mine in East Africa.”I blinked. “East Africa?” My heart skipped a beat. “Leo, that’s no different from a death sentence.”“I didn’t kill her,” he said, his voice firmer now.“You could have just arrested her, or…”“Kimberly.” His tone darkened. “You know the world we live in. There’s no real justice here. If I let her go, she’d
Leonardo POV.Kimberly soon drifted into sleep, her breathing soft and even. I watched in silence, the gentle rise and fall of her chest anchoring me to the present. A few hours ago, everything had changed, yet I was still struggling to process it.The door swung open, and I turned, only to have the shock of my life.Emily stood there, beaming, cradling a tiny bundle in her arms."Emily?" My voice barely escaped my lips, as if I needed confirmation that my eyes weren’t deceiving me."Yes, brother," she replied, stepping inside and shutting the door."I woke up a few hours ago just to hear Kimberly was in labor," she explained, her expression brimming with excitement.I ran a hand down my face, overwhelmed. "I've never been a religious person," I murmured, voice thick with emotion. "But these past hours… they make me want to believe in miracles."I buried my head in my hands, still reeling. A daughter. I had a daughter."Leonardo," Emily’s voice softened. "You should hold her."I hesi
Leonardo POV Ignoring Monica, I rushed towards the door without waiting for my father or Mario.If there's anything I want right now, it’s to be by Kimberly’s side during her childbirth.I didn’t even look back as I made my way to the parking lot, heart racing. My Range Rover was waiting for me.“Leonardo, I think I should drive,” Mario called out, just as I slid into the driver's seat.I shot him a sharp look, my patience getting thin. “Get the fuck in the car, Mario,” I snarled, signaling for my father to get in too.The drive from here to the hospital should’ve taken thirty minutes, but with the traffic, it felt like an eternity. Every moment stretched, dragging on in a haze of red lights and impatient honks.“Wait for me, baby,” I whispered, the words barely leaving my lips as I weaved between cars and trucks that seemed to take up every inch of the road.The light turned red just as I neared the intersection, and I swerved to avoid slamming into a truck, my heart racing."Holy
Leonardo POV Breaking In"Monica!" I shouted, kicking open the apartment door.Inside, a family huddled together in fear, their eyes wide as if they thought their home was being raided."Lower your weapons," I ordered, raising a hand. My men obeyed immediately, but the tension in the room didn’t ease.I turned to the oldest-looking man. "Who are you?""I..." he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper."Why are you here?" I barked, my patience razor-thin.The man swallowed hard. "We bought this house yesterday. Moved in this morning."Shit.Without another word, I stormed out, my mind a whirlwind of fury.Monica had fooled me, again. Not once, not twice, but three damn times. And I, Leonardo, the Mafia Don, had let it happen.Not anymore.Enzo’s voice from last night echoed in my head:"Monica colluded with the doctors handling Madam Emily. She paid them to poison her slowly, weakening her bones and cells."I clenched my fists, seething. "Find her, Enzo. She must not escape."As I
Leonardo pov "Lock down the entire hospital!" My voice rang out, sharp and commanding.The insane nurse had escaped after hitting Kimberly, and I couldn't chase her, not when Kimberly was in so much pain.I wasted no time. I gathered her into my arms and rushed out, calling for an ambulance. She wouldn’t be staying in this damn hospital. Not after this.I dialed Mario. "Send Emily over here."There was a sharp inhale on the other end. "What? What did you find?"I had no answers, only suspicions. My mind was racing, and at this point, no one was above suspicion.My mind was on everyone—there was nobody to be trusted at this moment."Monica?" Mario asked.I shot him a look, not to disagree but to let him know I had my eyes on her now."I've already arrested the doctors responsible for Emily’s care," he added."They’ll give us answers," I muttered coldly. "Or they’ll rot in prison."A nurse appeared at the entrance. "Mr. Fiore, the doctor would like to see you." She bowed her head and l
Kimberly POVIt was unusual to see Leonardo watching the news. He rarely paid attention to media reports, so when I found him focused on the BBC Channel, I instinctively turned to look at the screen.That was when I saw it.My breath caught in my throat.The image on the television showed Sherry being escorted through the International Airport in handcuffs, flanked by two officers. The headline beneath her face sent a jolt through my system.“BUSINESS WOMAN SHERRY ARRESTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING.”I shook my head. No, that couldn’t be right."But Sherry doesn’t do drugs," I muttered, half to myself.Leonardo barely spared me a glance before turning back to the screen, his expression unreadable.I swallowed hard, my mind racing. "Wait…" My voice was hesitant, but I forced
“You can’t be serious, are you?” I asked, my voice shaking, more from the frustration than the fear I’d let slip through.“I mean every word,” Leonardo replied, his tone calm, almost dismissive. “You wouldn’t want to have a baby without her father around, right?”I stood my ground, gripping the edge of the table as my frustration surged. “Don’t try to coax me into anything, Leo!” I shot back, my voice steady but fierce.“My baby has a mother who loves her enough. That’s enough. It’s more than enough,” I said, though the words felt hollow, like a shield I could barely lift.I heard Leonardo exhale slowly, but he remained silent. The weight of his quiet settled on me. When I saw he wasn’t going to respond, I pushed my chair back to leave.“I’ll be going now,” I muttered, reaching for the napkin to wipe my mouth, trying to keep my hands steady.But then, his voice stopped me in my tracks. “How are you going to handle Sherry and her daughter?”I froze. “You know them?” I asked, my surpris
I woke up a little less sad and energetic. Rushed to the bathroom to brush and take a shower before heading downstairs to join the others for breakfast.“Good morning, Mom,” I greeted, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek before settling into my seat.'Hi dad, Hi granny’“Morning, honey. Hope you slept well?”“Yes, I did,” I replied automatically, even though we both knew that wasn’t true. No one in this house had truly slept well last night. But it wouldn't hurt to pretend everything is fine.“I’m going for my antenatal appointment today,” I announced as I reached for the jar of Nutella. “And I want to do a scan for the gender reveal.”“That’s so thoughtful of you, darling,” Nancy said, setting down her fork. “But can’t you do it tomorrow instead?”I frowned. “Why? Is something wrong with today?”“Actually…” she hesitated, “I’d love to go with you. A gender reveal is a big deal. But my schedule is packed today.”I sighed.“We could go together early tomorrow morning,” she added with a