[ S E R A P H I N E ] Is this it? Should I say my last prayers now? Is he going to beat me up? Choke me with his bare hands? Then just dump my bloody corpse on the side of the road? Because he believes that beating answers out of me is the only way to get what he wants. The only way to get rid of his frustration. No crying. No more begging. It's no use. This headcase looks hopped up on drugs I'm not even sure how to spell. Just downright psychotic. Desperate. Vindictive. My "innocent, helpless and meek" act won't be enough. I'm not sure if four hours have passed, but it feels like I've been stuck in this van that long. The night's chill seeps through the fabric of my clothes, but it's tolerable compared to the evil presence sitting next to me. I'm still blindfold-free. But I want to put it back on. I don't wanna keep seeing his face. His eyes just gleam with a predatory streak that I can't shove to the back of my mind. Like the way he talks, his grin is smug, almost cruel
[ D O M I N I C O ]I sit beside my beautiful, smiling wife. We're alone in the kitchen, about to be done with our brunch. Like the rest of the house, this room is mostly white and not cluttered. Thanks to her. She runs this place day and night. I let her because she's the boss around here. I know better than to pretend it's the other way around.It's a modest house, but cozy. Who needs a mansion, anyway? Our home is nestled in a quiet town far away from the chaos of Florence. Here, everything looks different. Bigger. Better. Brighter. Everything around us is peaceful—the kind of peace that's eluded us for years. “Isn't she the cutest, happiest toddler?” Sephie doesn't try to hide her proud smile while she sits across from me. She's watching our little princess.Like most mornings, Steffi is dancing in front of the TV. “Hungriest, too,” I quip after catching another glimpse of the slices of pancake stuffed in Steffi's tiny hands.“They still call it the terrible two's. Right? It
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “Why're you still doing all this?” My voice slightly falters. I can feel my resolve crumbling, fear creeping in at the edges. But I won't back down. I will get out of this—I just need a good plan. Trick this monster into letting me escape. I won't let this bastard hurt me again. Use me. Break me. I'm getting out of here alive.For my baby. This innocent angel still growing inside me... “You could just leave, y'know,” I say with hopefully a believable poker face. My wrists are already sweating. Five more attempts and my left hand will be out of these cuffs. Just gotta stay quiet. Extra careful. Leandro stares at me and smirks, clearly enjoying the power he has over me. It probably gets him off. Seeing his victims like this. Helpless. About to give in. “Do elaborate.” Shit. Here goes nothing. “I mean, you still have an out. Just leave the country. Start over. Build a new life somewhere, w-with your girlfriend.” I shrug, feigning calmness despite the louder th
[ S E R A P H I N E ] Where is he? Is he still waiting for me? Standing right outside the door? It's been half an hour since our last conversation. Or a little longer than that. I don't think he used the stairs. I would have heard it. Despite my swirling thoughts, my nerves seem to have turned into an unusually long moment of calm. I actually don't feel that terrified anymore. Maybe because the weather's calmer. And because I'm all alone now. And I can't see his face. Or smell him. I'm still hiding in this guest bathroom. It's bigger than what I'm used to, and it's got an expensive-looking tub beside the windows. Every corner looks and smells clean, and the light bulbs look rather new. No cobwebs or anything. What's he doing? It doesn't sound like he's still on the phone. Or is he texting? Who was he talking to? Sitting on the cold tiles, massaging my strained legs, I stare at the windows again. I already tried to break them. Of course it didn't work. They're probably bulletpro
[ S E R A P H I N E ] Thank you, Lord... You always listen to my prayers. I'm not gonna be stuck in this strange house. Not gonna end up a chained prisoner in this place. Or a hostage. No. No freaking way. Someone's here to save me. This... Whatever this is... It's all over. Finally over. I'm going home. With bated breath, I get up from the sofa, doing my best to hide my excitement, willing my heartbeat to calm down. “Who's that?” I feign confusion. No doubt it's Enzo's car. I remember the color and the plates. I just don't know if it's actually him behind the wheel. The doors of the Audi swing open. The moment Enzo sees me, his expression shifts from annoyed to somewhat relieved. He's wearing office clothes, and his naturally wavy hair looks a bit greasy. Where did he come from? Did Leandro tell him to drive all the way out here? With his phone in his left hand, Enzo proceeds to the front door, his steps rushed and precise. Seconds later, he's already standing
[ D O M I N I C O ] Never in my life have I actually planned on killing someone. I don't wanna rot and die in prison for murder. But I just might. Probably won't even bat an eyelid after introducing that selfish, vindictive son of a bitch to his Maker. If that piece of shit hurt Seraphine worse than Enzo thinks, I won't hesitate. Won't even second-guess myself. Someone better make sure our paths don't cross again. Or I'll kill my own cousin without a second thought. Make sure he bleeds to death while his miserable girlfriend watches every second of it. The second I step out of the backseat, I get slapped by the cool wind and the smell of rain in the air. I scowl. I should've been here much earlier. I should've taken that early morning flight. It's not just the guilt. For not being there for her. For failing to protect her. To save her from that psychopath. Shit. I can't imagine how terrified she must've been. And while pregnant. For the first time. I don't wanna say it
[ S E R A P H I N E ] This place is familiar. Where are we? This feels like déjà vu. The sky darkens. It's about to rain. The water stretches endlessly in front of me. Gray. Loud. Churning. The waves crashing against the shore are telling me to go away. Be somewhere else. Because we're trapped. Can't escape. We need help. But no one's coming. The water sprays my face as the waves grow. Leandro tries to reach for me. Blood drips from his forehead while he keeps shouting incoherent words. As he fights to stay afloat, the sea pulls at him, dragging him under. I'll keep waiting here. On the shore. It's oddly satisfying. Just watching him struggling. Fighting for his life. I don’t have to help. Nor will I try. It's not my job. His hand reaches out toward me. I back off. Can't let him drag me with him. It's not my time yet. I have things to do. People to take care of. His garbled words drown with him. I sigh and feel only a smidge of satisfaction. I look at the man beside
[ D O M I N I C O ] I should be doing more. Can't just sit on my ass all day pondering the what-ifs. The maybes... Probably just the guilt talking, but, I actually am not doing much to rectify what Leandro did to her. To make that asshole pay for everything he did. To make sure the aftermath isn't consuming her. I have yet to hear the entire story, but I know I'll hate him even more once I do. I know he tricked her into showing up here in Florence. Maybe he thought she knows what happened to his precious fucking cargo. Maybe the prick suspected I found it. Sold most of it to their competition. And he thought she had all the answers he wants to hear. “Thanks.” Sephie puts on a tight smile as I hand her the laptop. “Sure.” I stand by the wall. “I'm not sick, by the way. I wore a mask the whole flight. Never took it off. Until I got here.” “Oh. Okay. That's, um... Good that you're not feeling sick, or anything.” “They say there's an incubation period of a few hours to a few
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “One last sheet. One last,” I sigh to myself, stretching my aching back as I recline. Looks like I'm still alone out here. I'm sitting by the pool, enjoying the gorgeous pink-orange sunset while waiting for Dominico to finish working. I stare at my laptop screen. I'm almost done with my work for the day, but my focus is split, already dwindling. Some mornings, I don't even feel like checking my emails. But I can't just quit now. I don't wanna feel like a freeloader or look for another job. Dominico can take care of me and provide our baby's needs. I know. But I don't want him to think I'm getting too comfortable. He's still upstairs, probably not done with their virtual meeting. “Emergency board meeting,” he told me an hour ago. Dom's been working from home all week. The new virus is still wreaking havoc all over the country. It's starting to scare me and Mamma, actually. Dominico agreed to stay home because he doesn't want to risk it. Our health and our b
[ D O M I N I C O ] “Look, Freja. It's my own money. And this isn't a loan. You don't have to pay me back. Okay?” Do I sound like an arrogant douche? I hope not. I sit back and buckle up, dying to get home. Freja’s tear-streaked face stays on the edge of the screen. The gray skies outside her window match the somber look in her eyes. She dabs at her pinkish cheeks, trying to put the waterworks on pause. It's not that she's been blindsided by her ex-husband's death. The sudden loss and grief. She knew what she was getting into the moment she agreed to be his wife. But it's not really her fault that she can't give her child a better life right now. I can't undo any of my father's actions or rewrite the past. But I could at least make sure that she and her kid won't struggle for another couple of years. “I just wired you the money.” “Thank you,” she murmurs with weak nods. I glance at the damp road. “Should cover tuition and some bills. If you need more, just call or text
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “We were gonna tell you. I-I just…” Just what? Forgot that I exist? That I have feelings, too? That I'm her best friend and they should've told me they're... Sheesh! I don't even wanna imagine what they've been up to. “Just what? It just slipped your mind?” Pierre glances at me, still can't look me in the eye. Like he knows how hurt I am. He should. This is like... It's betrayal. Right? I'm their best friend! I have the right to feel this way. “You just conveniently forgot?” My voice wavers. The odd numbness in my core spreads down my legs. Shucks. Breathing feels like a chore now. “Was it that hard to send me a text? Pick up the phone and just give me a call?”I probably sound hysterical. Overdramatic. I really don't care. I glare at Pierre, trying to dismiss the shock and hide the barely repressed anger. But I'm sure it looks like I'm failing miserably at it. Pierre sighs briefly, his hands on his hips. He's staring at the ground. Like he can't be bother
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “Hey. Alfeo looks more buff. Like, he looks bigger than you now.” Must be because Alfeo isn't taller and often wears clothes that flaunt his broad shoulders. I sit up on the bed, ogling my hot baby daddy as he walks out of the bathroom. “Is he taking anything? Steroids, or...” Dom snickers, glancing at me while he dries his hair with a black towel. After locking the door, he grabs a few clothes from his closet. “Why? Couldn't ask him yourself?” I scratch the back of my head. I don't know what his best friend's been up to lately. I haven't seen Alfeo in months. But I'm glad that he's not too busy to hang out with us. Maybe he's bulking up to impress a girl. Or girls? Not that it bothers me. He's always gonna be welcome here. Dominico still trusts him with his life. And no matter what his family thinks, Alfeo is still his most loyal friend. “Is he dating someone?” Dom scoffs and scrunches up his nose. It's straight, but the tip is a little bulbous, not too f
[ D O M I N I C O ] Are they downsizing? Or my dad's running out of payola? What even is this room? This is much smaller than the well-guarded room they let us use before. Smells like dried piss and sweat, too. Unlike the last time I was here, the prison guard stands behind the door. Just one. No weapon in sight, but I bet my left kidney he's carrying at least two. I sit down in front of the divider, surprised that the only prisoner I'm visiting agreed to see me today. I know he's still pissed that I didn't come by much sooner. That I didn't show up the last time he told me to be here. He wanted me to deliver more hush money, and of course more cash for his protection. And he's probably more pissed that I didn't help Ricchar Falco find his missing uncle. Stefano. The disgraced shipping mogul. The big-time swindler who ran off with the redhead. Daddy Dearest's former number one whore. Only because the bitch impressed him in and out of the sack. Glancing at the tall, dusty walls,
[ S E R A P H I N E ]What if Leandro found out about everything we did, all the sleuthing I tried, and the heap of evidence we contributed to the investigation, and then he got furious enough that he...Any way you look at it, my theory isn't farfetched. The guy's got motive. I don't wanna be the one to dwell on these negative thoughts. But we should consider the possibility. My privacy, my career, and my family's safety might be compromised.I'm pretty sure he's not here in Florence. Yet the feeling that he's somewhere near won't leave my head. Even now. Here in Dominico's house, a well-guarded private property in a gated neighborhood. I feel exposed. A little vulnerable. Even though I'm so much safer here with Dominico and Mamma keeping an eye on me. Plus the security staff guarding the property 24/7."Okay. I'll talk to Enzo again," Dom mumbles before reaching for my hand, giving it a light squeeze before he lets out a breath. Regrets and some frustration replace the pent-up anger
[ S E R A P H I N E ] I step out of the bathroom, my skin still warm from the shower. I took a quick one just to help me relax. To help me fall back to sleep. I'm not sure if it will. The rain outside taps lightly against his windows, an almost soothing rhythm that contrasts the weight of my thoughts. Although I'm wearing a robe, I feel the chill in the air as I walk towards his bed, my footsteps quiet. Dom's still wide awake like I guessed. He's sitting on the wrinkled covers, his attention fixed on his phone. As I approach him, he sets his phone down, and his heavy-lidded gaze shifts to my face. I sit close to him and try to ignore the tension in the air. It's not the same awkwardness I felt right after I tried to kiss him for the first time. It's something else. Can't quite put my finger on it. But it's nothing we can't address. I'm sure. “Hey.” “Feel better?” “A little.” I put on a smile. I hold onto his forearm when he goes back to reading some emails. ”Babe, that ema
[ D O M I N I C O ] Shit. I almost tore the label off. Cracked and nearly broke the cap into pieces, too. It's not clumsiness, though. I'm too distracted. Tired. Impatient. Frustrated. With caution, I press down a strip of tape over the torn label, running my thumb across it to smooth out the small creases. I can't just look up the right dosage on the internet. This label is practically the only thing helping me keep track of the proper dosage. I reach for the roll of tape again. I tear about an inch off the roll. Right after I put the bottle away, soft shuffling noises behind me interrupt me before I can get rid of the clutter on the counter. I look up and stare at my reflection in the mirror. Seraphine is standing at the bathroom door, just a couple of steps away, her eyes wide and unfocused. She's wearing the blue shirt I gave her before she went to sleep. There's some tension in her posture. Why is she out of bed? I turn to face her and put down the roll of tape near
[ D O M I N I C O ] “Cara, dico solo che...” [Dear, I’m just saying...] “Sì?” [Yes?] I tilt my wine glass, sitting back and interrupting my stepmother again. I don't have to keep my mouth shut. I already know how uncomfortable Seraphine feels. Trying to sit still beside me, she takes a small bite of bread and stares at Mamma, who's seated across from us and not really minding the food on her plate. Rain still patters on the windows. But it shouldn't turn into something worse. This should be a calm, quick, easy dinner. Unless Mamma brings up what happened last night. If that happens, Seraphine will probably... “Sephie, è più prudente se tu rimani qui ora.” [It's safer if you stay here for now.] My stepmother is talking a bit slower now, dragging her vowels. She drops her delicate smile, then sets down her fork with a soft clink. “Non preoccuparti, Mamma. Porto sempre una mascherina extra nel caso mi dimenticassi di indossarne una,” Seraphine replies with a polite smile, her vo