3rd povAncelotti sat in his office, looking out the big window. The sun was setting, making the sky look like a beautiful painting with bright oranges and soft pinks. But he wasn’t really seeing the sunset. His mind was busy thinking about Caroline.Just a few years ago, he had seen her working in one of his restaurants. “How did I not notice her before?” he wondered. It felt strange to think that someone so special had been right in front of him all along. He remembered the first time they met at a bar. They talked and laughed for hours, sharing stories and dreams. It felt like they had a real connection.Then, they spent a night together that he couldn’t forget. It was magical, filled with laughter and warmth. But now, everything feels different. His heart sank as he remembered what his manager had told him: “She left Europe.” Why would she leave? Did she not want to see him again?Ancelotti's mind raced with questions. “Is she pregnant?” he thought, feeling panic rising in his st
3rd povAfter the meeting ended, Ancelotti decided he needed to take action about Caroline. He couldn’t just sit around wondering where she was anymore. He picked up his phone and called Emily again.“Emily! Can you help me find out more about Caroline?” he asked urgently.“Of course! What do you want me to do?” she replied quickly.“I need you to dig deeper into any connections we might have with her or anyone who knows her,” Ancelotti said firmly.“Got it! I’ll start right away,” Emily promised before hanging up.Feeling hopeful for the first time that day, Ancelotti leaned back in his chair and thought about what could happen next. What if they found out where Caroline was? What if she wanted to talk to him?Hours passed as Ancelotti worked on other tasks while waiting for Emily’s update. He tried not to let his imagination run wild but couldn’t help dreaming about seeing Caroline again.Finally, just as the sun began to set again outside his office window, Emily walked in with a fo
Jeffrey’s pov“Boss," Miguel, my security detail, said, his voice a little too loud for the hushed atmosphere of my private office. "Everything okay? You've been pacing for an hour, muttering to yourself. You look like you've seen a ghost."I stopped pacing and turned to him, the knot of anxiety in my stomach tightening. "Miguel, it's nothing," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but I could feel my voice cracking a little. "Just… thinking.""About the deal with the Faraday Group?" Miguel asked, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "No, no, not about that," I waved my hand dismissively. "It's about something else. Something… personal.""Something personal?" He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "You, Boss, have a personal life? Now that's a story I gotta hear."I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's not like that. It's just... I saw someone today. Someone I haven't seen in years.""Years? We are talking decades here?" Miguel's grin widened. "You’re telling me you h
Jeffrey "Caroline," I muttered, the name of a prayer escaping my lips. It was a prayer for a second chance, a chance I didn't deserve. My plan was crazy, I knew that. It felt like something out of a movie, something you wouldn't believe if someone told you it was real. But I was desperate. And desperation, I learned, can make you do things you never thought possible.The first step was simple, almost embarrassingly simple: I needed to find out where Caroline was living. I didn't have her number anymore. The last time I'd tried calling, the number had been disconnected. She'd vanished like a wisp of smoke, leaving me behind with nothing but a hollow ache and a million regrets. But I was a man of resources. I had my connections. It wasn't hard to track her down, not with the right people on my side. It took a few calls, a few favors, a few dollars exchanged under the table. And soon, I had it. The address. Caroline's new home, the place where she was building her life, the place wh
Do you know him, mommy?" The little girl, still in Caroline’s arms, asked, her voice a tiny, wavering whisper. Caroline's gaze shifted back to me, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of sadness in her eyes, a trace of the love that had once been so strong between us. It was a fleeting moment, a whisper of what could have been. I wanted to reach out to her, to pull her close, to tell her how much I loved her, how much I regret hurting her. But I knew I wasn’t ready for that yet. I had to start small, to rebuild some kind of bridge between us. "Yes, honey," Caroline said, her voice soft and reassuring. “I knew him a long time ago. He’s just saying hello.” She smiled at me, a small, polite smile that didn’t reach her eyes. I wanted to say more, to tell her how much I’d been thinking about her, how much I’d missed her, how much I regretted everything. But I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I was afraid. I was afraid of rejection. I was afraid of her anger. I was afraid of the pain I k
Caroline"Hold on," I whispered to myself. "Why am I being nice to him?"I thought about how mad I was at him at the airport. I yelled at him, told him to leave me alone. But now, he's at my house! Why am I even thinking about talking to him calmly?It hit me like a punch in the stomach. I'm scared. Scared of what he wants, scared of what he might do, scared of what I might find out about him. "He came to my house," I said, my voice shaking. How did he find us? Who told him where I live?I felt betrayed. I thought I was finally safe, away from all the secrets and bad things. But now, it's all coming back. I made a fist. I can't be nice anymore. I need to protect myself and my family. I need to stop him.I grabbed my phone. I was so mad, I could see his face in my mind. I knew what I had to do. I had to be strong. This is not a game. This is real. And I'm going to fight back.My heart hammered against my ribs, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. It was like someone had just th
Jeffrey "It's me... it's all my fault," I whispered, my voice cracking. My eyes were red-rimmed, my face pale. I saw her again, just a few weeks ago. She was with those little kids, her triplets, all sunshine smiles and tiny hands. She looked happy and now married. But it still hurts. I said it was my fault. I repeated!If I had to leave, couldn't I be with her? But what if I could have changed things? What if… The faded photograph felt warm beneath my fingertips. Caroline's face, frozen in time, stared back at me. Her smile was like a sunbeam, a reminder of everything I'd lost. She was the one that got away, the one who slipped through my fingers like a wisp of smoke. I was a kid back then, clueless and arrogant, and I let her go. Now, I was married to my new girlfriend , but my heart was still stuck in that past, trapped in the memory of her laugh, her touch, her vibrant spirit. It had been years, but I still felt the ache of regret. The image of her laughing, her eyes sparkli
Jeffrey The crisp white tablecloth felt like a prison, the polished silver cutlery like shackles. Across from me, Jolie was picking at her salmon, her long, blonde hair cascading down her back, but even that couldn't mask the fact that she wasn't my type. She wasn't even close to Caroline. Caroline, with her fiery red hair, her mischievous green eyes, and her smile that could light up a room, was the kind of girl who made my heart skip a beat. Jolie? Jolie was more like…well, she was more like the kind of girl my grandfather wanted me to marry.And that's exactly what happened. My grandfather, the powerful patriarch of the family, the man who held the reins of our company, the man who was the reason I was sitting here with a woman I didn't even like, had made his wishes very clear. He had signed a contract, a binding agreement with Jolie’s family, securing a future for both our families. And that future? It included me, tied to Jolie, as her husband."More champagne, Jeffrey?" Joli
Cut the crap," Maria snapped. "You think I don’t know you had a hand in this?"Ric chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "You give me too much credit. If I wanted Ancelotti dead, he wouldn’t be breathing right now."Maria’s jaw tightened. "Then why are you here?"Ric sighed, stepping closer. "Look, Maria. You’re smart. You know what happens next."She stayed silent, waiting.He smirked. "Ancelotti’s in a coma. His men are lost. His enemies are about to tear each other apart trying to claim his throne. And you… well, you’re in a unique position."Maria’s stomach twisted. She knew what he was getting at."You think I should take over."Ric’s smirk widened. "Not ‘should.’ Will."Maria clenched her fists. "Ancelotti isn’t dead."Ric’s eyes darkened. "But he might as well be. And the longer you wait, the more unstable things become."Maria swallowed hard. She hated how right he was.The underworld didn’t pause for anyone—not even for Ancelotti.If she didn’t step up, someone else w
The deafening gunshot shattered the night air.Jane’s heart lurched as she pulled Caroline toward the back door. Every instinct screamed at her to move faster. She couldn’t let Ancelotti or his men catch them.Another gunshot rang out, followed by the sound of tires screeching on the pavement."Get down!" Jane hissed, forcing Caroline behind the kitchen counter just as bullets tore through the front door. Glass shattered. Wood splintered. The entire house shook under the assault."Jake!" Caroline gasped, panic flashing in her eyes.Jane's mind raced. If Jake had fired first, that meant—"Shit," Jane muttered, crawling toward the back window. She peeked through the curtain and saw Jake crouched behind his car, gun raised, returning fire.Ancelotti stood in the open, unbothered. His men flanked him, their weapons trained on Jake.Caroline's breath hitched. "Jane, we have to stop this."Jane grabbed her wrist. "No. We need to get out of here before—"The front door exploded inward.A tal
Jane sat across from Jake in a quiet, dimly lit café, her fingers idly stirring her untouched cup of coffee. The tension between them was thick, a silent battle of thoughts playing in their minds.Jake had been hesitant about speaking up for weeks now, but after everything that had happened—the near-fatal shooting, Caroline’s erratic behavior, and Maria’s suspicious alliance—he couldn’t keep quiet any longer.“Jane, I need to tell you something.” Jake’s voice was low, cautious.Jane lifted her gaze, her expression wary. “What is it?”Jake leaned forward, lowering his voice further. “I feel like Ancelotti is the reason why your sister is so disturbed. You need to let her get rid of him.”Jane’s brows furrowed, her grip tightening around her spoon. “Get rid of who? Jake, Ancelotti is the father of my sister’s triplets.”Jake froze. His breath caught in his throat. “Really?”“Yes,” Jane whispered, glancing around nervously. “Keep quiet. That’s a secret.”Jake’s mind reeled. That changed
Days passed in a blur of preparation and careful maneuvering. Maria played her part perfectly, slipping into Ancelotti’s world as if she had always belonged there.She knew how to charm, how to manipulate, and how to make people believe what she wanted them to believe. Every word she spoke to Ancelotti was carefully chosen, every look calculated.She made him feel safe, secure, as though she was a confidant he could trust above all others.But in the back of her mind, she never lost sight of the bigger picture. She wasn’t just here to be another pawn in Ancelotti’s empire. She was here to take it.She had already begun to plant the seeds of doubt. It was subtle at first—a whispered word here, a carefully timed gesture there.She played on his insecurities, feeding him just enough to make him question his own people. His confidence, so carefully built over years, was starting to crack.And then, one night, as Maria sat across from Ancelotti at a lavish dinner, she knew the moment had a
Maria listened intently, her mind already working through the strategy in her head. She could see how it might work—Ancelotti was a family man, and like most people, he would do anything to protect his loved ones. But there were complications.The family wasn’t the only thing that made Ancelotti dangerous. His empire was built on loyalty and fear, two things that couldn’t be easily manipulated.“And what if Ancelotti doesn’t care enough about his family?” Maria asked, her tone casual, but her eyes searching for a flaw in Henderson’s plan.Henderson’s lips twitched with a small, calculating smile. “Oh, he will. There’s no doubt in my mind. And even if he doesn’t, we’ll make him. We’ll create a crisis, something he can’t ignore.His empire is delicate, Maria. His people are loyal—but loyalty only lasts as long as it’s convenient.”Maria considered that. She had known men like Ancelotti before—men who prided themselves on their control, their power, their ability to build empires. But em
Henderson chuckled softly, the sound of it echoing in the quiet room like a predator's growl. "You’re not just the key, Maria. You’re the master key. You’ve got connections, brains, and an instinct for power. You're the only one who can pull it off."Maria felt a small thrill at his words. There was no denying the fact that she had always been good at getting what she wanted.But there was something about this—the weight of the decision—that was different. Ancelotti wasn’t just a man to eliminate; he was a rival, a force to be reckoned with."And what exactly are you proposing?" she asked, her voice steady, though her mind raced with possibilities.Henderson’s eyes gleamed, and he leaned in closer, as if sharing a secret. "Ancelotti has a weakness. It’s not the obvious ones, the ones that people would think of. No, his real vulnerability lies in his people. His loyalty, or rather, his misplaced sense of loyalty."Maria’s interest piqued. "Explain.""Ancelotti has always protected his
The night air was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and aged whiskey.The chandelier above cast a golden glow over the long mahogany dining table, its polished surface reflecting the flickering candlelight.The setting was intimate, elegant—exactly how Mr. Henderson liked things.Maria sat across from him, legs crossed, her silk dress clinging to her figure as she swirled the red wine in her glass. A slow smirk played on her lips. The rich, velvety taste coated her tongue as she took a sip, savoring the moment.She was no fool—this dinner wasn’t just about gratitude. It was a chess move.And in chess, every piece had a role.She watched as Henderson leaned back in his chair, his piercing blue eyes studying her like a man who had already won.His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back, his suit tailored to perfection, his watch gleaming under the dim lights. He was the kind of man who carried himself like royalty—because in his world, he was king.But Maria?Maria had no intentio
The second gunshot rang out, louder this time, slicing through the thick silence like a blade.They barely had time to react before Ancelotti lunged, grabbing her by the arm and shoving her down behind the overturned couch.Jane let out a startled cry as she ducked low, hands clamping over her ears. Marco cursed under his breath, his gun already drawn."Stay down!" Ancelotti barked, scanning the dimly lit room. His fingers curled around the trigger of his own weapon, his breathing measured but tense.Another shot exploded through the window, sending shards of glass raining over the floor. The lamp on the nearby table shattered, plunging them further into darkness.Caroline's heart pounded against her ribs. "Who the hell is out there?"Ancelotti didn't answer immediately. He kept his back against the wall, eyes flickering toward the door.Marco crawled over, keeping low. "We need to move. If they have a vantage point, we're sitting ducks."Jane, still shaking, whispered, "Is it Maria?
Maria lounged on the velvet chaise in her bedroom, freshly bathed and draped in a silk robe, the soft fabric caressing her skin.She ran a hand through her sleek, dark waves, admiring herself in the floor-length mirror. Her reflection was flawless—sharp cheekbones, deep red lips, and eyes that held the confidence of a woman who had never truly lost.A slow, satisfied smile curved her lips."Ew, how can such beauty rot in prison?" she murmured to herself, stretching out her limbs like a cat.The thought of those cold, gray walls still sent a shiver down her spine. Prison had been a temporary inconvenience, nothing more.She had always known someone like her wouldn’t stay locked up for long. And thanks to Mr. Henderson, she was exactly where she belonged—on top.She reached for a crystal glass of wine on the nightstand, taking a slow sip as she replayed the moment of her release in her mind. The look on Caroline’s face when she had stepped out of that courthouse had been priceless. The