I hadn’t closed the window, and the gentle breeze was a good way to get rid of the bloody smell in the room. I turned the bedside lamp down to the lowest setting, moved the clothes rack to the window, and lit two scented candles from the bathroom.The clothes hanging on the rack could prevent my shadow from being seen on the curtain—something Elena had taught me.I checked on him. Though he had cuts on his arms and back, the worst injury was the one on his abdomen. Blood kept seeping out, soaking his shirt in that area.I climbed on a chair to grab the first-aid kit from my dad's study, then found some scissors in my room. The next step was to cut his clothes open.He was half-unconscious by now, the blood and his pale face giving him a strangely fragile beauty. A mix of strength and vulnerability showed on his face.I cut along the edge of the bloodstains, opening up his shirt. His defined abs and V-line came into view.The hem of his white shirt was a mess after I cut it open, but i
He nodded. “I can’t see the wound on my abdomen. Harper, you’re the only one who can help me.”“What if I screw it up?”My mind was totally blank. My hands holding the forceps were ice-cold, trembling. I just couldn’t do it.I shook my head painfully. “I can’t... I’m really scared...”He grabbed my hand, hard enough that it hurt. The gentleness and vulnerability from just now seemed like an illusion—he’d turned back into the domineering tyrant.He shoved the knife into my hand, forcing me to look at him. “Harper, if you don’t take out the bullet, I’ll die tonight. I’m giving my life into your hands. If you don’t want to do it, kill me now—otherwise, I’ll bring trouble to you.”I forgot how to breathe, forgot the fear, just staring at him, stunned. This guy...“You’re forcing me!”“Yes, I am! You don’t have a choice—either save me or kill me!”That snapped my rational mind back in place. Somehow, I was completely calm now, despite feeling like even the slightest misstep could make me f
“You’re awake?” I asked as I saw Marco putting the bloodstained blanket in the bathroom.“Are the people outside gone?” I was still worried about them.“They’ve already left,” he replied, though he still looked pretty pale. I made some room for him. “Do you want to rest some more?”He refused, but after just two steps, he had to lean on the wall. I got off the bed, grabbed him, and pushed him back down onto it.“You went out to deal with them, didn’t you?” I noticed his wound looked like it had torn a bit, and I couldn’t help but feel a little angry. Did he not understand how dangerous that was?Marco’s POVEven when she’s angry, she’s cute.When I kissed her, I thought she’d push me away, but she was so scared she was trembling—yet she didn’t move away. I was scared of overwhelming her, so I kept it light, but surprisingly, she fell asleep.Thinking of how she held back her tears while using the forceps, I felt sorry for her. She’d never been exposed to such a bloody scene, and I dra
I couldn’t really refuse this wedding—after all, I was already caught up in this kind of life and had accepted the benefits it brought me.Finally, the wedding day arrived. Before dawn, I was woken up from sleep and brought to a spacious dressing room. I hadn’t seen my groom yet—he’d be waiting for me at the altar.I was wearing a blush silk robe. After freshening up, I put on a face mask to make sure my skin was in perfect condition. A photographer was there the entire time, recording everything I did on my wedding day. Mom said it would be a beautiful memory to look back on.Then, it was time for the long makeup session. The makeup artist started with my eyes, using champagne and gold shades to accentuate them, outlining my eye shape with black eyeliner, making them pop. She lengthened and curled my lashes, finishing with a touch of silver glitter under my eyes for some extra sparkle.A peachy-pink blush added a shy glow to my cheeks. My hair was styled up with glittering accessorie
I bit my lip so hard it started bleeding, trying to hold on to a bit of sanity."Angelo, do you really have to do this?" I asked.Angelo's hair, which was neatly slicked back earlier, now had a few strands falling out. His usual gentle eyes were now filled with a madness I didn’t recognize.“From now on, there will be no Moretti family, only the Conti family! The mafia can only have one king!” He said, leaning closer to me. His scent overwhelmed me, and it made me feel sick. All I could think of was hoping that my parents would be able to escape safely.I didn’t want my wedding to be the most painful day of my life.But he seemed to have misunderstood my silence. "Don’t worry, as long as you cooperate, you’ll still be my wife. I'll make sure you're treated just like my mother. You'll always be the queen of the mafia king."I had no interest in his twisted monologue; I was desperately scanning the chaos, searching for my family. But all I could see were panicked guests running in all d
The door was slightly ajar, leaving a narrow gap that gave me a view of what was happening inside—though I couldn't see everything, it was enough.A girl in a pink dress was kneeling on the floor, crying. And in front of her, sitting in the main chair of Conti's study, was none other than my stepbrother—Marco.The sobbing voice was unmistakable; it was Sophia. I could never forget her expression at my wedding.It was a pity I fainted afterward, knowing nothing more than the fact that Angelo got shot.And now she was here, pleading with Marco? What could she offer? What had Marco done to her?Curiosity got the best of me, and I continued listening.Marco looked completely indifferent, showing no sympathy toward the beautiful young woman. "Isn’t this something your Conti family brought on yourselves? You betrayed us first."Sophia’s sobs paused as she collapsed on the floor. "I'll do whatever you ask, as long as you spare them."Marco was silent. Was he hesitating?After a moment, his v
I had no reason to stay here any longer. Everything about this place made me sick.Marco seemed like he wanted to say something, but I didn't want to hear it. These people never put their true feelings on the line. In their world, there was no family, no friends, no lovers—only eternal interests.What difference was there between Marco, Sophia, and Lily?They were all selfish and indifferent at their core."No, Harper, it's not like that."He reached out, trying to grab me, but this was the Conti estate, and not far from us was the church where I was supposed to get married. His outstretched hand felt like that of a devil trying to drag me into an irreversible abyss.I ignored him, kicked the door open, and tears started streaming down my face without me even realizing it. "I’m just a tool to be used and discarded. I’m not really your sister, so you think you can treat me however you want. I never want to see you again! I never want to see any of you again!"His expression turned dark
"What's left to say? You've succeeded. You and your son have joined forces to take down a rival family. How glorious. But now my daughter has to bear the name of a traitor. In everyone's eyes, she wore her wedding gown and helped you kill her husband. Who would dare to marry Harper now?"Solana's voice was cold, and even my father, who was rarely fazed by anything, frowned deeply.I took a breath, adjusting my clothes. "I'll take responsibility for Harper. I'm going to find her now. Please, don't worry."Solana looked at me, while my father put his hand on her shoulder, comforting her softly. "It's all right. Marco will protect Harper, always. I'll talk to her when she's back..."They misunderstood what I meant, but ultimately, what I wanted and what they hoped for were, in a way, the same. The means didn't need to be discussed.Harper's POVAs I walked out of that house, I felt lost. I didn't know where to go, but I knew I couldn't stay.I had some money with me—always kept some emer