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Key To Freedom
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-20 08:11:35
Kaugnay na kabanata
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Blood Ties and Broken Loyalties
ENZODon Alonzo sat down staring at my mother. Just as I expected, she didn't dare to lift her head up. She was afraid, I knew it. After what she dared to do to Lauren, I had meticulously done my best to see her downfall. Of course, it had not been easy but my mother had a lot of skeletons in her closet. She was never a good mother or a good wife. “ Take a look at these documents.” My grandfather said, his voice low and controlled but I could sense he was angry. “I said take a good look!” My mother jerked back at the tone of my grandfather's voice. “ How dare you think you can take over my company? My company!” My grandfather screamed slamming his cane against the floor, his voice echoing through the grand hall. My mother flinched, her hands trembling as she reached for the documents. I watched, my arms crossed, my expression cold. This was the moment I had been waiting for. The moment she would finally face the consequences of her greed.Her fingers tightened around the pages, he
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-21Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Bound by Blood
(Present Day)“Enzo. Enzo, are you drunk?” My eyes flickered open as I heard Lauren's voice. Glancing around, I felt like my entire world was spinning. I could hold my liquor very well normally. It was the first thing I learned from my grandfather. However somehow the alcohol took over and won today. Staring at Lauren, I reached out cupping her face to make sure it wasn't a dream. “ Lauren.” I whispered slowly caressing her face. She placed her hands over mine, steady but firm. “Enzo, what happened?”I wanted to tell her everything. Things that my mother did were something I had never told anyone. I made Eleonora promise to forget them. I should too. “Nothing.” I said chuckling as I tried to sit up. “Nothing, gurriera.” Lauren didn't seem convinced however she didn't push for answers either. Instead, she carried me to bed making sure I was okay before she left. By the time I woke up, my eyes flickered around the dark room. I hadn't slept for as long as I would have loved to. Gro
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-21Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Bound by Blood (2)
I stepped on the gas, driving as fast as I could, but it wasn’t enough. The traffic was super long, cars stretching endlessly ahead like a blockade standing between me and the inevitable. My fingers gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white as I tried to maneuver through. I tried calling Rafael once more. It rang but he didn't pick. The drive to the safehouse was minutes away, but every second felt like an eternity. My heart pounded as I weaved through the traffic, desperate to get there before it was too late. Before Don Alonzo killed my mother. I slammed my hand against the wheel. “Pick up, damn it,” I muttered, dialing Rafael again. Still nothing.When I finally arrived at the long quiet road leading to the house, my stomach twisted. Black SUVs lined the driveway. Armed men stood outside, their expressions unreadable.Was I too late?Stepping on the break, I parked the car before grabbing my gun. These men were my grandfather's personal men and they were good at fightin
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-23Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Bound by Blood (3)
“Choose.” Eleonora said. “Her or me.” I stared at the gun in Eleonora's hand. Normally, I would say that she was bluffing. She couldn't do it. However Eleonora was impulsive when hurt. I knew she wasn't joking. “I don’t have time for this,” I said, voice low. “Put the gun down.”She didn’t move.“You always choose him,” Eleonora spat. “Rafael. A man who isn’t even blood. He's the reason you're saving her!” I exhaled, trying to stay calm. “And you chose our grandfather.”“ What?” I stared at Eleonora seeing her eyes full of unspilled tears. I had spoken without thinking. Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair. How was I supposed to reason with her? The air between us was full of tension. I decided to keep quiet knowing fully well that whatever I said would just push Eleonora over the cliff. That was the last thing I wanted even at the expense of saving our mother. Glancing back, I expected to see our grandfather. Maybe he could reason with her. But he had not yet come out. “ Fine
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-23Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Siblings Tension
LAURENThe next morning, I woke up early to prepare something for Eleonora. Enzo was already on the edge after everything that happened and I wanted to help. Maybe it would also be good for us to get close to each other. I could find out more about the paintings.“ Eleonora?” I asked knocking softly on her room door before pushing it open. Eleonora sat by the window, her sharp eyes fixed on the view below . She looked as beautiful as as ever, wrapped in a silk robe, her hair falling down her shoulders. But there was something cold in her gaze as she sat. Something that made me hesitate a bit. I placed the tray on the small table near the bed “I made breakfast.”Eleonora didn’t respond immediately, her gaze flickering to the food before settling back on me.“I thought it might help.” I said staring at her. Eleonora exhaled softly, standing. She moved to the table, her steps measured. Taking the cup of tea, she lifted it to her lips, then lowered it without drinking.“ I can't belie
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-24Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Taylor's Accident
I couldn't believe I was in the hospital again. The details of Taylor's supposed accident wasn't clear and no one knew anything except the fact that she had been found out on the streets. Walking in the hallway, I ignored the smell of antiseptic creeping into my nostrils and searched for Taylor's room. Room 317.I pushed open the door and froze. Taylor lay motionless in the hospital bed, her skin pale against the white sheets. A thick bandage wrapped around her forehead, and the steady beep of the heart monitor filled the silence.“She looks terrible,” Eleonora muttered behind me. There was no mockery in her voice this time, just quiet observation. “God, I hate being in hospitals.” Ignoring her, I stepped closer. “Taylor?” My voice came out softer than I expected. No response.I glanced at her spotting the cuts on her face and her broken leg which was lifted up in the air. This didn't look like any small accident. This looked like someone had tried to kill her. Was it Don Alonzo? Hi
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-24Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Buried Secrets
ENZO “Lauren. Lauren, what's going on with you?” I called out trying to get her attention. For the past few hours, she had been zoning out, her eyes distant, her fingers tapping restlessly against her thigh. She was here with me but her mind was somewhere else.She blinked, her eyes full of confusion as if she just realized I was speaking. "What?""You've been quiet than usual. Did something happen? Did Eleonora say something when I was gone?” I asked getting off the couch. Lauren pressed her lips together, hesitating. Then, she sighed and leaned back against the couch. "Taylor’s in the hospital."I frowned. "What happened?""No one knows for sure. She was found on the streets, beaten, unconscious." Lauren’s voice was steady, but I caught the tension in her shoulders. "The doctor says she might wake up soon or she might not."I exhaled sharply feeling relief as I lowered myself back to the couch again. “ Was it not an accident?” “I have no idea. From what I heard, Taylor was follo
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-26Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) An Unpaid Debt
ELEONORA “I asked you a question!!” Enzo yelled waking up Lauren. He didn't glance back at her even once. He was super furious. I clenched my hand trying to stand tall but I couldn't. My heart was pounding in my chest and I wanted nothing more than to quickly rescue my son. The only man that mattered to me so much. “Dead.” I replied because it was true. My son's father was long dead to me. Enzo exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. However he didn't push more. He knew I would never tell him who it was. Without a single word, Enzo turned around leaving me alone in the living room. The moment he left, I quickly dashed towards the door without sparing Lauren even a single glance. “ Eleonora!” Lauren called out behind me but I was already fast on my heels heading towards the door. The cool night air tingled against my skin as I hurried away from the house. Walking over to my car parked next to Enzo's, I pressed the key opening it and slid in. The engine roared to life as I
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-26
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Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Shadows Within Us
“Are you sure?” Enzo asked letting go of my hand as he walked up to Taylor. “Yes, Mr. Santoro.” Taylor replied smiling.Taylor nodded her head happily taking Enzo's hand as they walked out. My heart stopped. The location of the vault? I didn't know if Taylor had really figured it out or not. The door to the office shut behind them leaving me all alone. Enzo was not only obsessed about me, he was also obsessed about the paintings. I stood there, staring at the closed door like it might open again. But it didn’t. And neither of them came back. Heading out of the office, I walked out of the elevator heading to grab a car. Stopping one, I slid into it. The driver gave me a curious glance through the mirror, but I didn’t say a word. My fingers were tight around my phone, but I couldn’t bring myself to call him. What would I even say? That watching him walk out with her made my chest feel like it was caving in? That I wasn’t sure if I was more afraid of what Taylor found… or how easily
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Shadows at the Door
The tension in the room was suffocating. Sitting down beside Enzo, I stared at Enzo's mother looking at Enzo without a single word. None of them did. It was as if there was so much they were saying telepathically that seemed dangerous, cold. I squeezed Enzo's hand gently trying to urge him to say something but Enzo was like a block of ice. He didn't break his gaze from his mother. “ Boss,” Leonardo said calling him out. Enzo turned to Leonardo before realizing that he had been staring for a long time without saying anything. Enzo's jaw clenched. “ What are you doing here? I saved your life, told you never to return. Did you think it was just an empty threat?” Enzo asked, his voice betraying his bitterness. I knew things were not good between both of them but I never really knew the full story. At the party before, she had looked as if she really cared about Enzo when she thought he was a cripple. “ It's about Rafael.” She said making my heart skip a beat. Rafael? If it was Rafae
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Claimed in his Tower
LAUREN “Excuse me. Hello?” a man asked beside me, catching my attention. I had just arrived at the company with Enzo and was still trying to process how massive the building was. Glass windows stretched up into the sky, reflecting the clouds like a mirror. Everything looked expensive and polished. The man stepped closer, offering a polite smile. He was dressed in a sharp gray suit, hair slicked back like he’d stepped straight out of a magazine. “ I said who are you? This place isn't for begging. It's a company. If you want to beg for food or clothes, you can stay outside over there.” I scoffed stunned by the man's words. He didn't know me yet he was so arrogant. I turned around trying to search for Enzo but he was still at the car. Turning back to the man in front of me, I looked at his worker's ID. Manager “I… I came with someone,” I managed to say, my voice catching slightly in my throat. The man’s eyes scanned me again, slower this time, taking in my simple outfit like it
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) You and I (2)
ENZO How was I supposed to tell her? Sylas's death had been an accident. As much as I wanted the stupid cheating b**tard dead, he was the least of my problems and I didn't care if he was dead or alive. Until I witnessed him trying to kill Taylor, Lauren's sister. I saved her. Seeing Lauren sitting down across me crying, I cursed at myself for letting her cry. Why did I let my jealousy get the best of me? “ Sylas's death is not your fault. It was an accident. He was trying to harm Taylor and I happened to walk into that. I hit him and tried to save him but b***ard fell over the balcony.” I confessed staring at her. She didn’t look up.Her shoulders shook, soft whimpers slipping from her lips. I hated this. Seeing her like this, breaking down because of something I should’ve told her the moment it happened.“I thought you were keeping it from me because it was something worse,” she whispered, finally lifting her gaze. Her eyes were glassy, rimmed red. “I thought maybe… you killed hi
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) You and I
“ Come with me.” Enzo said as he threw me on the bed making me gasp. He was furious, barely holding back himself and I could see it. Watching him run his hand through his hair, I moved back until my back hit the headboard. My chest tightened as he stood there, pacing like a storm trapped in a cage. His jaw clenched, and his eyes burned into me, sharp and wild, like he was fighting every dark thought rushing through his head. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating, until he finally stopped, turning to face me. His fingers twitched at his sides, like he didn’t trust his own hands near me. “ What are you hiding from me now, Lauren. Don't say you are not because I know you're are.” Enzo said staring at me. My hands clenched at my sides. “ I'm not hiding anything.” I said stubbornly. “ You promised that you won't lie to me again.” His voice was low, but the weight of it crushed the air between us. I swallowed, my throat dry and tight, feeling his stare dig deeper, peeling a
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Whispers in the Dark
LAURENIt had been two days since Enzo and I finally got back together. For the first time, I was able to meet his son, the one that Barbara had prematurely. Enzo claimed that Barbara was locked up getting the help she deserved. I really hoped she wouldn't show up at all. “ What are you thinking about?” Enzo asked as he wrapped his hand around me as I stood in the kitchen. I leaned my head back against his chest, letting his warmth surround me. Since I had decided to be with Enzo now, I needed to trust him instead of worrying. “Nothing important,” I whispered, though the lie tasted bitter on my tongue.Enzo’s hand slid slowly along my arm, his touch light, almost lazy and my body responded to him immediately. I tried hard not to give in. Not to close my eye and give into his torture. “You’ve been quiet all day,” Enzo murmured against my hair. “You and I both know that you are thinking of something. I lifted my eyes, meeting his. Of course, I couldn't lie to him. “Just thinking
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Silent Warnings
“I don't think you and I have anything to discuss so late in the night, Rodion.” I said staring at him as he sat down in the living room. Rodion’s eyes darted to the bag that Lauren was carrying. It was obvious that he had found out about the bag and come for it. It was just drugs, wasn't it? Why was Rodion so tense?His expression was tight, jaw locked, eyes flicking between me and the bag like he was calculating something far beyond what sat in Lauren’s hands.“That bag,” Rodion finally said, voice low and steady, “ Don't tell me that you were planning on running away with goods I paid for?”I instinctively placed my hand over Lauren's. I could see how scared she was. She had never met Rodion before and Dante had not given her even a picture. Things would have gone bad if she had ran away with the bag. Rodion wasn't the type of person to forgive and Dante would never take responsibility. F**king bastard. “ The bag is right here. You can have it. Whatever deals you have with Dant
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Devil's Errand (2)
ENZO“ Lauren, what's in the bag?” I asked barely able to restrain my voice as Lauren and Rafael sat down in my car. I had just arrived at the club when I saw gunned men attacking the place. Dante's car was also outside which made me suspicious. The moment I saw Rafael rushing out with Lauren, I quickly drove up to them and made sure that they were safe first. Parked on the side of an empty road, I stared at Lauren watching as she grabbed the straps of the bag. I already knew what it was. Drugs. “You already a druggie now? You're Dante's drug mule?” I asked trying my best to control my temper. Lauren’s fingers tightened around the straps, her knuckles turning white. She lowered her head, avoiding my eyes, and the silence that followed only made the fire in my chest burn hotter.“Answer me,” I said, my voice dropping lower as my gaze became sharper. Shhook her head, barely a movement, but it wasn’t enough. I wasn’t in the mood for games. I reached over, snatching the bag from her
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Devil's Errand
LAUREN“Its time to earn your keep, bella.” Dante said as he led me into his private lounge. Even after staying by his side for so long, Dante didn't trust me. He didn't trust anyone, not even himself. The lounge was dark as we walked in. I heard he liked to keep it that way so that important faces wouldn't be leaked. Following him closely behind, I pulled down the short red dress that he had forced me to wear before sitting down by his side. “What do you mean earn my keep? I've done everything you asked me to.” I answered trying to keep my eye on what was going past on around. A man walked in with a bag catching my attention. Dropping the bag on the table, the man nodded before disappearing. Dante leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as the dim light above flickered, casting sharp shadows across his face. He pulled the bag closer, unzipped it, and turned it slightly so I could see inside.Stacks of d**gs neatly arranged in the bag. It was wrapped in plastic and clear as
