A V E L I N AIt was finally the twin's sixth birthday. I could hear the bustling and decorations going on outside as Lorenzo had hired people to work overnight, paying them extra because of the short notice.I opened my eyes and felt a warm hand wrapped around me. I turned to find Lorenzo sleeping peacefully as he held me as if I wanted to run away. He looked even more beautiful in his sleep, his long lashes, thick and fluttering.I didn't want to wake him up. I wanted to stay like this a bit longer. But, this was his first time witnessing the kids birthday and I wanted it to be worth it.I placed kissed all over his face, hoping it would wake him up. It did.He opened his eyes and looked at me, smiling. "Good morning, baby.""Morning. How was your sleep?""It was amazing. But, it would have been better if you were inside me." My sexual frustration was real. We haven't had sex in almost two weeks now, because he was scared that he might hurt the baby now that I'm close to delivery. H
A V E L I N AThe woman's eyes scanned the room and I followed her line of sight and realized that she was staring at Lorenzo and the kids. She smiled, sashaying her hips to where he was.No fucking way.This bitch wasn't thinking about approaching them, was she?I walked toward them, my steps hurried as the baby inside me kicked. I needed to know what was going on.Lorenzo's eyes finally met here and I saw as shock appeared on his face. He definitely knew her.I decided to pause for a moment to listen in on their conversation as the kids ran to play with their friends."Natalia, what the fuck are you doing here?" He said harshly, his eyes burning with anger."What? Is that how you're supposed to greet your wife, Lorenzo?"What?Wife?"We were never married, Natalia. Get the fuck out of my house before I force security to throw you out."Natalia. Why did that name sound so familiar?Deciding that I'd heard enough, I decided to walk into their midst and Lorenzo immediately turned to me
L O R E N Z OThe microphone dropped from my hand as I ran down the stage to where Avelina was.She was in so much pain and I was so scared, I didn't know what to do."Avelina." I said her name softly as she screamed in pain. I turned to my driver. "Go get the car ready.""What's happening, Daddy?" My babies came running up to us and I didn't know what to tell them."Take them away, please." I begged Valerie who was closest to us."Let's go, kids. Come with me." She tried to take them away but the twins refused to budge, tears flowing from their little eyes."We want our mommy.""Mommy will be fine, okay? Go with Aunty Valerie. You can come see Mommy later." I promised them, kissing their little heads before Valerie took them away."Someone call an ambulance!" I roared, and the room was filled with chaos."Oh god!" Avelina cried out and I took her in my arms."Stay with me, baby. You can do it. It will be okay." I was trying my hardest to keep calm, but it was extremely difficult.I i
A V E L I N AA sob ripped throught my lips as they cuffed my husband's hands, and dragged him out of the room while I tried to rock our newly born baby.The doctors rushed into the room after, followed by Valerie and Lorenzo's family. My heart rate increased drastically as they began to ask me a lot of questions."You're losing a lot of blood.""We have to take the baby.""Give me something for the pain.""Mrs Salvatore, please, calm down. You have to let us do our jobs."My brain couldn't function at the moment, and I was feeling a bit lightheaded."What's going on?" I asked weakly, looking around the room as they took my daughter. My head was spinning and my eyes were heavy, but I wanted to see my baby."Mrs Salvatore, try your best to relax.""Valerie." I called her weakly, my vision blurry. "Tell me... what's going on.""Everything will be fine, Avelina. Lorenzo will be back soon enough." She tried to assure but I wasn't having it. "No." I said, tears falling down my cheeks. "Do
L O R E N Z OHe looked like he was going to attack me and I would have punched him in the face, but Dorian stepped in front of me and held his hand out."We have no business with each other. My client has done nothing and he's innocent until proven guilty.""I'll get you. Even if I have to do it myself. Mark my words, Lorenzo Salvatore. I'm going to get you.""Is that a threat, sir? Because I'll sue you so hard, your entire family will be homeless by the end of the week. My client is innocent until proven guilty. There's no reason to threaten him.""Get him out of here. I don't want to see him or any of the Salvatores in my face. You have one day. That's the only warning I'm giving you. Stay away from me and mine.""One day, and my client will come after you." Dorian responded. "You can't touch him, and I will prove him innocent. One way or another, you will see the true colors of the Mancini family."I was escorted back into the room. "Let's go.""Wait." The investigator stopped me.
L O R E N Z OAs expected, the courts decided to throw me in jail until they proved me guilty or innocent. The evidence was too strong and the Mancini's were pushing it.It was finally the day of the trial, and I had been locked up for two days, and the worst thing was, I didn't get to hear from Avelina, I didn't know how she was doing. I was desperate and wanted to hear her voice, but no one was willing to listen to me. My lawyer finally arrived and we were to go to the court, and that's where I would get a verdict.I looked at Dorian and he gave me a reassuring nod. I decided to trust him. The court was packed with people and everyone was looking at me like I was a criminal. It made me feel uneasy and angry.I was escorted inside the room and I looked at the judge. The same one who ruled over my father's case."Mr. Lorenzo Salvatore. Do you understand the charges against you?""Yes.""Do you admit to killing Mr. Anthonio Mancini?""No, your honor.""Do you know of a gun which was
A V E L I N AMy eyes slowly opened to a very blinding white ceiling and a nauseating hospital smell. I tried to adjust to the brightness and then tried to remember what had happened.Where am I?What happened?How did I get here?What was I doing before I got here?Then it hit me, I had a baby. Lorenzo was arrested. Anthonio is dead.I forced my eyes open again and this time, they didn't hurt. I turned and saw Lorenzo asleep in a chair, and the twins were on the bed, sleeping.I tried to call out his name, but I couldn't, I felt weak, my throat was dry, and I could barely move.Lorenzo started moving around and slowly woke up. He looked around the room and then his eyes met mine."Avelina, thank God you're awake." He said, rushing to my side and placing a kiss on my lips. "Oh my God, thank God. I thought I lost you, baby. Please don't ever do that to me again. I thought you died.""Water..." I said in a hoarse voice.He nodded his head and hurriedly got me a glass of water. "You hav
L O R E N Z OI arrived at the court house just in time with my lawyer and Nicholas. The first person my eyes met were Natalia's and she didn't look a tad bit remorseful.Her clothes were tattered and dirty and she looked thinner but held so much rage and enmity in her eyes. Seeing her rose lots of pent up anger in me."Order. Order. Will the jury please rise." The judge said and they all stood up."Today is the final court hearing. Has the jury come to a conclusion?""Yes, we have.""Read it out."The lady nodded her head and started to speak. "In the case of the people versus Natalia Serrano, we find her guilty. Evidences and footages have proven that she had conspired with a man to kill her boyfriend, and frame Lorenzo Salvatore for the crime."Natalia's face dropped, and the rage in her eyes burned harder than ever. The glare she gave me was something that could have killed me instantly if it had the ability."Is this true, Miss. Serrano?""No. They're lying. I didn't do anything.