LOGINIn Elizabeth’s room, Matteo's head rested on the edge of her bed, and his eyes were closed as he slept.Elizabeth's fingers twitched by her side, then her eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the light. ‘I’m alive?’ she thought, letting her eyes dart around the room as she realized she was in the hospital.But who had brought her here?She turned her head to her left and saw a man's head lying beside her. ‘Who is that? One of her father's men?’ She shook her head when it occurred to her that Lucas had probably eliminated all of her father's men and allies.Elizabeth moved her hand and dropped it gently on the man's head. Matteo jerked away instantly, and as his eyes fell on Elizabeth, who was staring back at him, he sat up straighter. “You're awake," he said, his voice filled with relief.After the operation, Elizabeth was transferred from the emergency unit to a ward, and Matteo had been the one looking after her since then. He had also paid her medical bills and listed himself as her gu
Ace froze.He didn't expect that the important thing Uncle Julian wanted to discuss with him was to ask about Lucas's relationship with Kate. ‘Why was he asking me about this instead of Lucas? And why does he seem so interested in their relationship?’ Ace mused, wondering if he should spill everything or leave out some details.“You seem hesitant, Ace. Why is that?" Julian asked, narrowing his eyes."No, Uncle Julian. I'm just trying… to refresh my memory so I don't skip over important details,” Ace explained, chuckling nervously.Julian nodded and crossed his legs. “I'm listening," he said, as one of Lucas's men returned to the living room with a glass of water and handed it to him. Julian took the glass, waved the man off, lifted it to his mouth, and drank. He set the glass on the table before looking at Ace.Ace took that as his cue to start talking. He cleared his throat and began, "Lucas was coerced by the Cosa Nostra to take a fiancée before he could be given access to your bro
Bob’s eyes softened when Kate threw herself at him. It felt just like old times when he’d come back home and Kate would rush toward him and hug him.Staying away from her for so long and not being able to talk to her had made him suffer greatly. He had missed her so much and regretted ever handing her over to Lucas. Kate was not just a niece to him; she’d been the daughter he had raised and never had.Bob had gone to his usual casino to play games and drink when he heard a group of mafia members talking about the death of Wilson and how he’d kidnapped Lucas's wife, intending to use her against him, but their plans had failed miserably. He’d heard them talk about the fate that befell Wilson and his daughter.Bob felt his heart skip a beat at the news. He had walked over to the group and asked what had happened to Lucas's wife. “We don't really know all the details, but we heard she was shot and taken to the hospital. And rumors have it that Lucas had personally—”Bob rushed out of the
“He was involved in an accident, one that claimed lives. That was the first time Lucas had blood on his hands,” Victor revealed.Kate went still, the truth knocking the breath out of her. She didn't expect such a revelation. “Accident," she repeated, and her mind couldn't help but think back to the time Uncle Bob had come home that night and told her that her parents were gone because they had been hit by someone.For some reason unknown to her, Victor’s words pressed down on her chest, as though some invisible thread tied that tragedy to her own soul. Her lips parted as she struggled for air."Kate! Kate,” Victor called, his voice filled with slight panic when he saw that she was struggling to breathe.He quickly stood up from his chair, went around her, then knelt beside her as he patted her back. "Look at me,” he commanded.Kate's eyes moved to him, and when Victor saw that he had grabbed her attention, he inhaled and exhaled, then said to her, "Breathe… follow my lead."Kate follo
Kate's chest tightened with each word that came from Victor’s lips.“When Lucas turned ten, his mother started bringing men to the house. She’d get drunk and end up shouting at Lucas. As a child, he desperately craved his parents' love, but they showed him none. He’d watched his parents quarrel every night. Sometimes, they even threatened to kill each other or pointed weapons at one another. As time went by, Lucas became indifferent and would lock himself in his room whenever they fought—until one night that changed him completely.”Victor stopped talking and leaned back in his seat while Kate moved away from the bed and adjusted herself on its edge, her legs dangling in the air. “Why did you stop? Go on," Kate urged, eager to know the rest of the story.Seeing how eager Kate was, Victor’s eyes gleamed mischievously and he couldn't help but tease her with his next words. "That's all I know.”Kate was dumbfounded and blinked at Victor. “What? That can't be,” she exclaimed. She had been
Kate stirred softly on the bed. She tried to move her hand, but her body felt too heavy.Her body ached, as if she’d been lying in one position for a long time. She opened her eyes slowly, and the first thing that greeted her was the white ceiling and the brightness that assaulted her eyes.Kate shut her eyes again and reopened them, adjusting to the light in the room. ‘Where am I?’Her eyes moved around and landed on the tube connected to her hand. ‘She’s in the hospital, but why?’She turned her head to the side and blinked when she saw an unfamiliar person beside her. “W-who are you?” she asked in a quiet voice.Victor’s eyes snapped to the hospital bed, and when he saw that Kate was awake, his eyes brightened. ‘Lucas would be over the moon,’ he thought, looking at her.“Water,” Kate croaked out. Though she didn’t know him, Kate hoped he’d be kind enough to hand her a cup of water. Her throat felt parched, and she was really thirsty.Victor’s eyes scanned the room, and when he didn
“I wanted to believe you," Lucas whispered, rage trembling in his voice. “I didn't want to believe the video, but you lied to me," his voice eased, low and trembling with something far more terrifying than anger.‘What video?’ Kate thought to herself. She didn't dare question Lucas when he looked l
Kate opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out. She looked at Lucas's cold face and sighed inwardly. ‘Why does it feel so hard to tell him where I was?’ she wondered.A voice whispered in her head. ‘Because he looks so terrifying right now.’Kate shivered and nodded slightly as if agreeing.
As Kate entered the living room, she plopped onto the couch and threw herself back, leaning into the sofa cushion and closing her eyes. She zoned out for a bit, lost in thought, trying to shake off the annoyance Matteo had ignited in her.After a while, Kate straightened up and blew out a frustrate
Matteo watched as different expressions crossed Elizabeth’s face. She was lost in thought, her brows furrowed as she contemplated what to do. Then, he noticed her biting her lower lip a moment later, her eyes filled with hesitation and fear.Matteo was now more than curious to hear what secret abou







