Natalia's POV: Pain…The hot throbbing pain was the first thing I felt.My body ached all over… I peeled my eyes open with great difficulty, my vision swam, and I could hear the faint sound of muffled voices in the background. My head felt heavy, and it took a moment for my brain to catch up, registering my surroundings. “Oh, good. You’re awake.” I blinked as a female doctor leaned over me. What happened? I blinked again, trying to understand what was going on. And then it all came crashing in… Flashes of the attack at the boutique flooded my mind, the chaos, tension, and fear... ‘I made it out alive!’ A breath of relief escaped me—Wait… Luca… did he? “How are you?” The doctor asked gently, interrupting my thoughts. “I’m Doctor Camilla.”I shook my head. “Luca, he…”“I’m here.” Luca stepped out from behind the doctor and my racing heart slowed. Relief washed over me. At least he was alive. As much as I’d hate to admit it, he'd really become a friend and he was really nice
Natalia's POV: I couldn't sleep. My body still ached all over, coupled with a headache. I tossed and turned.It was like the pain meds weren't working anymore. I glanced at the bedside digital clock.2:41 am. My throat felt parched, and deciding to go get a glass of water, I rolled out of bed, wincing a little from the effort.Slipping into the corridor, I noticed the house was quiet. Luca’s door was closed, but I remembered the way to the kitchen so I started downstairs.The kitchen was dark once I reached it, but the patio lights that shone through the sliding glass door leading outside cast enough of a glow that I was able to navigate my way to the fridge. There wasn't any sign of anyone awake and I was mostly grateful for that. Pulling the fridge door open, I found it stocked with an assortment of veggies and fruit. I forgot the idea of water when my eyes landed on the different flavors of ice cream, and while I'd rather have a glass of chilled water for my slight headache an
Natalia’s POV:Morning light filtered into the room, sunshine hitting my eyes and waking me up.I rolled off the bed, wincing as I put pressure on my wound. Fuck, I kept forgetting I was injured whenever I woke up! My belly grumbled loudly, twisting with hunger pangs. After freshening up, I slipped into the hallway. The smell of freshly baked pastries made my mouth water. In the kitchen, I found Caterina and Angela preparing breakfast. Caterina was taking something out of the oven. “Hello,” I said as I walked in.They both turned to me, and Angela smiled at me, holding up a mug. “Hi, coffee?” I took a stool by the island. “Yes, please.” But Caterina frowned. “You shouldn't be moving too much or putting pressure on that,” she said firmly, pointing to my bandaged side. Angela chuckled softly, wheeling her chair over. “You worry too much, Zia.” She passed me a cup of coffee just as Caterina set a tray of freshly baked pastries in front of me. “You should eat more, so the pain m
Natalia’s POV:It’s been four days since I received the strange note. I was anxious as hell. It seemed like an opportunity to escape this hell hole but at the same time... It felt like a trap. Okay, hear me out. First, I didn't know if Vittoria was in on it or not. I couldn't figure out if she even knew about the note, what if she didn't? I’d spent the last few days watching her every move, trying to figure out if she knew about the note, annnnd. Nothing. She was just her usual, calm, polite, and naive self. I do know looks could be deceiving but I didn't want to make any mistakes. Secondly, a part of me thought about the possibility of Carlo being behind this. I mean, his guards are always on high alert, they searched everyone, especially the maids who attended to me. So how did that note go unnoticed? What if Carlo wanted to test me? Get me into trouble? No. I’d lay low, at least until the next message. Maybe then I’d find a clue, something that would help me decide if I could
Carlo’s POV:She was spending way too much time with Luca. But that was what I wanted, right? For them to grow a bond, for her to finally accept Lucas as her husband, and produce beautiful grandchildren, so why? Why did it feel like I was jealous of my own son? Like a damn creep, I found myself watching them spend time together through the CCTV. Last night, I saw Luca enter her room. He’d remained there for like five minutes, and then he'd come out of her room, looking disheveled and flushed. Had he…?My stomach churned. Had he fucked her? I didn't think so. Unlike him, I wouldn't spend just five minutes. If she’d ended up in my bed, I’d keep her there all night, giving her more orgasms than she’d ever experienced in her life. I’d take her in every position—pushed up against the kitchen countertop, from behind, under me, against the wall, and on top of me. I wouldn’t stop doing every dirty, twisted thing my mind could come up with, until she screamed, unable to handle it anymor
Natalia’s POV:‘The fuck?’ The words slipped out before I could stop them, and I slapped a hand over my mouth. The figure stiffened, stopping what they were doing, which was: using a knife to carve several jagged lines into their right hand. I couldn't see clearly but I could make out the glint of silver moving slowly, but deliberately. An unmistakable metallic smell assaulted my nostrils.Blood. The figure turned, letting the knife drop to the floor with a clatter. I could feel their gaze locked on me. My first instinct was to bolt but my feet were glued to a spot even as they got up, moving toward me. “What are you doing here?” The voice was a low growl, calculated, and dangerous. Unfortunately, I’d recognize that voice anywhere, even in my sleep. Carlo. Why was Carlo sticking a knife in his skin? “What are you doing here?!” He asked again, this time, his voice was louder and more deadly.Goosebumps scattered across my skin.Shit shit shitMy heart slammed against my ribcage a
Natalia’s POV:The sound of birds chirping had my eyes fluttering open and immediately winced when the bright morning sun met my eyes. ‘I don't remember leaving my curtains open’ I sighed, sitting up in bed, Instantly regretting it when a mild pain shot between my thighs, a raw reminder of last night. It wasn't a dream. It happened.I could vividly remember how hard he'd strangled me, pressed me against the wall, and dominated me. How his rough, thick finger felt in my delicate, soft walls. The way his hot, thick length slid against my swollen wetness. My pussy throbbed, clenching around nothing and I shook my head, hoping to forget the memories that flooded back with nauseating clarity. The worst part was I didn't even hate it. Disgusted? Sure but hate? No way. How could I hate it when my body had loved every second of it and craved even more? I still felt frustrated from not getting to come but still… ‘You’re marrying his son the day after tomorrow, Natalia. You’re disgusting’T
Natalia’s POV:The look in Carlo’s eyes could kill anyone. His expression was so dark, so filled with fury, I could almost feel the burn from across the room. What had gotten him so angry? Why did he want everyone else to leave but me? “Qual è il problema, figlio?” Caterina’s concerned voice broke through the silence just as Bianca and Gabriella exited the room. “Talk to me,” She said softly, placing a hand on his arm to pacify him. But Carlo didn't even look at her, his gaze locked on me, cold and hard. {What is the problem, son?}“I just need to talk to my son’s fiancèe,” he said in a low, measured tone. “In private.” Me?! Caterina’s gaze moved from her nephew to me and back to him again. “I’m not leaving,” she said defiantly. “You keep acting like a maniac around her, you're scaring the poor girl!” Carlo let out a dark, sarcastic laugh. “You’re too naive if you think she's scared of me, zia.” His eyes darkened, and muscles on his jaw twitched in anger as his eyes met mine. “'cau
Carlo's POV: “You did what?!” Angela screeched, breaking the uncomfortable silence in the room and Luca just seemed… unbothered Luca months back would never behave like this.Where had I gone wrong with him? Did I push him too hard unknowingly? Does he hate me?Lord knows I was out of my depth here. It felt like I was drowning… It was all so… overwhelming. Zia placed her hand softly on Angela's shoulder. “Calm down, dear. I don't think he meant what he said.” Her eyes met Luca's. “You didn't mean it, right? Tell her.” He let out a small laugh shaking his head. “Now why would I joke about something like that?” The look on zia's face at Luca's statment would be funny if this situation wasn't already too fucked up and complicated. And for the first time in years, I felt like a coward. The biggest coward to have ever graced the surface of the earth. “...She was meant to be my bride after all,” he continued casually. “All I did was ask to push through with the wedding.” “But she's y
Natalia's POV: My tongue felt heavy, the fight in me evaporating from my body as I could do nothing but watch Carlo leave my room like he didn't just shred my hearts into a thousand pieces. I couldn't tell what hurt me more. The fact that Carlo had just handed me to his son like I was nothing or the realization that my feeling was/will never be reciprocated. Hot tears hit my cheeks before I could stop them, my knees hit the floor as I clutched at my aching heart. Stupid. I was stupid to fall for the one man I couldn't have and shouldn't want… Fingers grabbed my chin painfully and my eyes snapped up to meet Luca's as he crouched down slowly. “You're crying like I asked to kill you or something.” He huffed a small laugh, smirking. “Is marrying me so bad that you have to look like this….?” His eyes roamed my face. “Like a heartbroken mess?” Yes! I wanted to scream, to yell, curse at him and maybe use my fist on him. But I couldn't. I felt drained, weak, I could only just kneel th
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY-NINE: Natalia's POV: ‘Who is this person, Luca?’His hands fell from my arm like he'd been burned and he stepped back abruptly, confirming my suspicions but his face remained stoic.Someone wanted this—what was happening. But who and why?I ignored the burning sensation lingering on my arm from where his fingers were and I took a step forward. “Who are they? Cause I can tell you for a fact that they're lying and I didn't take you for someone who could be easily manipulated!” “You're delusional, no one said a thing to me. This is clearly an observation!” He shot back fiercely. “No one tells me what to do and I'm not being manipulated. This is all me!” Then why do you look so shaken? Like you're desperate to keep a secret to protect this person?! I didn't say that out loud though, he was determined to keep his mouth shut. So nothing I say or do will change a thing. “Alright, fine. I've heard you,” I said softly, hoping it would calm him down. “No one i
Natalia's POV: I stood close to the door as Luca stood in the middle of my room, his hands shoved into his pockets, eyes fixed on me. Shit. I chewed on my bottom lip nervously. What do I say? ‘Please I don't want to marry you. I already have feelings for your father’ or ‘We can't get married. You do know I have sexual relations with your father, right?’ None was convincing enough. Just plain stupid. I'd brought him up here without a goddamn plan. What on earth was I thinking? “...I don't have all day, Natalia.” His voice penetrated my thoughts and my eyes snapped back to his. I can do this. This is just Luca—even though he's changed a bit… Keeping my eyes fixed on his, I cleared my throat, wiping my sweaty palms against my leggings. “Uhh… how have you been?” Easing into a conversation was clever, right? “You just…just.. disappeared… I… I hope you were doing alright wherever you went.” And I meant that sincerely. He scoffed angrily, eyes blazing as he regarded me slowly. “
Natalia's POV: This has to be a joke. Really. A mean one.He was threatening them now? With his death? There was no way Carlo would refuse him now. No way. As much as he'd like to act tough to the outside world, act like he didn't have feelings, I knew how much he loved Luca. He wouldn't let his son die just because of me…I was literally nothing to him. Just his property.My eyes stung with impending hot tears and I blinked them away…With everything that had been happening these past few months, I'd forgotten my place in Carlo's life and I foolishly fell for him…Now look. He was going to give into Luca's demands, that much was certain.I could still hear them trying to reason with him. It wasn't working.I could feel my hands literally shaking, my hair sticking to the back of my neck from the sweat there as my heartbeat echoed loudly in my ears.This was bad.This was really fucking bad.My stomach churned, making my insides twist uncomfortably—a prize for letting curiosity get
Carlo's POV: ‘Natalia. I want to marry her this time.’ His hard, cold gaze held mine unflinchingly as the words left his mouth. His words rang in my ears, over and over again and yet, I wanted to pretend like he hadn't uttered the most absurd and ridiculous things.He wants Natalia back? She was mine.He'd left her, clearly wasn't interested in her. He can't have her. She's been in my bed severally. I knew how she felt wrapped around my bare cock, I've had my tongue far up her cunt, I knew how she tasted even in my sleep. She was mine in every way.And I was certain he knew she was my mistress even if he'd been away for months. Everyone within and outside our circle knew, surely, he must have heard the gossip. So how could he want her?I guess he didn't mean it, right? Right.But I waited. Waited to hear that he was joking, that he'd been messing with me but instead, the silence stretched. The tension in the room grew thicker, almost suffocating as Luca bored his cold eyes into min
Carlo's POV: “Enzo, stay. The rest of you, leave,” I demanded as soon as Luca joined us in my home office. I paced the space behind my desk, hands on my waist as I watched my men bow slightly before they left the office one by one.My eyes met my son's as he leaned against the now locked office door, his pose exuding nothing but arrogance and defiance. No remorse whatsoever. What the fuck? What has gotten into him? My blood boiled even more.I was furious. Might seem irrational to zia and maybe others but I knew how his stupidity could have cost us. Dearly.At first, I was relieved. Happy. Overjoyed. And then reality sank in. This boy could have gotten himself killed! I worried when he ran from home, hell, I panicked when he suddenly fled Spain too. I couldn't show it, wasn't allowed to show it or think of it, but I did panic. I had my men search all over Andorra even had them searching France just in case and now he was suddenly here. What sick games was he playing at?“Don?” En
Natalia's POV: ‘Luca is back.’ Why did that seem like trouble? Naaa, I was overthinking again. As the words escaped Enzo's lips the world seemed to have stopped, my eyes were wide with shock, Doctor Camilla's brows were almost kissing her hairline and from the shocked expression on Carlo's face… he hadn't expected that either. Wait… didn't he have Luca followed? I thought he knew his whereabouts since he was keeping a close eye on him. Surely, he would've been informed beforehand that his son was returning to Italy, right? “How do you know that?” Carlo broke the silence as he strode across the room to Enzo, taking the phone from his fingers. He glanced at the phone's screen and whatever he saw on it confirmed it; Luca was home. “This is nuts,” Enzo half laughed. “We couldn't even find him the last time he was spotted in Andorra. It felt like he knew we were following him and he was running away and now he shows up back in Italy. Willingly… What is going on in his mind, w
Natalia's POV;TWO DAYS LATER…Me: so this is it? Me: you'd ignore me forever? seriously this is so fucking childish and not what I'd expected from someone like you…I stared at my messages to Carlo and heaved a tired sigh. He's read them. It literally shows that he has and yet he doesn't respond. It had been almost two weeks since anyone at home had last seen him and this was getting ridiculous…My thumb hovered over the screen as I tried to make a decision if I should send him more text messages or not. The shrill sound of my phone's ringing tone and Doctor Camilla's name flashing on the screen made a decision for me unfortunately. No texting then…I swiped to answer the call, placing my phone against my ear. “Hello?” Hrt voice crackled through the phone. “Hi, Natalia. How are you?” “Good, I guess?”I heard her exhale deeply. “He's still avoiding home?” More like avoiding me. “Yes and he won't reply to my texts yet he reads them. All of them.” I heard her curse under her breat