Natalia's POV: It was two in the morning and I couldn't sleep for shit. I kept tossing and turning on my bed and I was grateful Ava had fallen asleep in Caterina's room after playing in there all day cause I knew my restlessness would have kept her awake too….Before now, I'd already made at least three trips to the kitchen for water and a snack, and even twice that to the bathroom to pee and at one point, I felt too hot, so I took another shower for the night. It felt so strange—the restlessness, I mean. I even had to text Doctor Camilla and she'd said, “Don't worry dear, it's just the pregnancy hormones. Just lay down and maybe you just might drift into sleep.” How was that helpful?!I'd retired for the night at nine pm and still nothing for hours! See, I understand people with insomnia to an extent at this point. Like I want to sleep, I really want to but just can't and the moment I shut my eyes it's like a whole new world is taking place behind my shut lids, like a TV show was
Natalia's POV: What the fuck? Blood rushed to my ears as my face flamed hot. For fuck's sake, I'd just been caught toying with my pussy, I could literally feel my wetness drying on my fingers.How the fuck did this happen?Before me, standing in nothing but a grey sweats which hung loosely on his waist was Carlo.But the guard said he wasn't in!He had an amused smirk on his face—one I'd very much like to wipe off his face—but other than that he looked good, strong, gone was the big white bandage that went around his torso. In its place was a small white bandage placed on his wounded area.“Do not stop on my account,” he teased. “I was enjoying the show, dolcezza.” I should have turned off the light. And how didn't I hear him come in.I adjusted my nightgown climbing off the bed, missing the orgasm that I would have gotten if I wasn't so rudely interrupted. “How are you here?” I asked, shifting uncomfortably on my feet. “The guard said you weren't in.” He shrugged. “He wasn't at
Natalia's POV: I'm easy and cheap. I thought to myself as I melted against his bare chest. His arms came around me, holding me so close as if he was trying to merge us together and for a moment, we just stood like that. And then one hand came up to my hair, stroking it gently.“You confuse me,” he murmured. “I do not know what to do with you, how to deal with..” He trailed off and I was tempted to ask him to continue but I didn't want to ruin the moment.“I didn't mean to ignore you,” he continued. “And you're right, I should've communicated better. I guess I didn't think it was important… I …I.. I've never done this…”This? What did he mean by that? “I'll do better, monella,” He whispered softly. “I'm sorry.” He didn't have to keep saying sorry because I'd forgiven him the moment he held me back. You see? Easy and cheap. But then, he was apologizing wasn't he? Didn't that mean I was a little bit important to him?‘Because of the baby!’ A little voice in my head snapped and I
Natalia's POV: “Are you asleep?” Carlo asked, his fingers toying with my hair was already taking me there…“No.” We lay together on his bed, after a good round of sex, we'd showered together and now, I had my head on his chest and his arms wrapped around me.A beat passed. “How do you feel about going to university?” Huh?!I jerked up to look at him. “I don't understand.” He smiled, and pulled me back down to his chest. “I don't know, I just thought you might want that. Maybe after you've had the baby or maybe you can start now,” he shrugged. “I heard even pregnant women attend university these days. Anyone you're comfortable with is fine.” Wait…. Am I dreaming?“You're for real?” I asked carefully.“When have I ever joked about something so serious, monella?” He planted a kiss on my hair. “I'm serious about this, you can attend university if you want. I don't know if I'm wrong, but it was your dream, yes? To go to school. I do not want to take that away from you…” he trailed off
Carlo's POV: I don't know what I'm feeling, but I can't say I didn't understand it either. I do and that's what terrifies me. I might be overreacting, freaking out because I was slowly realizing that things have completely changed for me, that my normal was now a completely different thing. And I see it now, what Camilla had been trying to tell me, Enzo too. But how could this have happened? When did the lines get blurred? How did I get here? It's just been months, how didn't I see this coming?“Don?” My head snapped up at Enzo's voice. How hadn't I heard him come in? “Enzo,” I muttered, watching as he closed the door behind him and walked in. “You're up late.” He pulled out the chair from across me and lowered onto it. “Yes, I had to round up some things,” he laced his fingers. “I noticed you walking aimlessly in the garden before coming here. Are you okay?” I should tell him, shouldn't I?He understood me better and was my most trusted man.I heaved a sigh rubbing a finger o
Natalia's POV: My eyes fluttered open and the first thing I noticed was the big hand resting on my waist and I stiffened.Carlo?Carefully and slowly, I turned around coming face to face with a sleeping Carlo. Like this, he looked so peaceful and even more gorgeous. So he came back to bed, cuddling with me. I thought. I could stay like this for hours—days—and not move, I love being in his arms like this, I love being this close to him. For the next ten minutes or so, I lay quietly, until his eyelashes fluttered open revealing those gorgeous eyes to me.“You're awake,” he mumbled in a deep, throaty voice and I smiled.“Yes,” I whispered. “I was watching you sleep,” I said before I could stop myself, almost like my mouth had no filter.He smiled. “You enjoy watching me sleep?” Maybe more than I'd like to admit. “I don't know,” I lied, avoiding his eyes. “I'm thirsty, could you move your arm?” “Don't stress yourself, I'll get water for you,” he insisted, pulling away as he rose to
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY:Angela's POV: HOURS EARLIER….Rueben was finally getting better and Camilla said his infections were gone. I couldn't stand being close to him like this out of guilt but I couldn't leave his side either. Of course, being the man he was, he didn't blame me, in fact, he was relieved I had gotten home safe. Can you believe it?I was the reason he almost died and he was worried about me?‘Tell him what happened and watch if he'd still care about you,’ A voice mocked in my head and I shut my eyes tightly to make it go away.Every day was an internal battle with my head and heart. Do I tell him or not? I know if I didn't there would be no way of him knowing since none of the people who already knew were going to spill it anyways.But it was eating me up inside. No one knew how I kept reliving that day every time I shut my eyes, no one knew how I kept looking behind me. How could they tell I could still feel those bastards moving in and out of my mouth?They
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY-ONE: Carlo's POV: My knees buckled. I can count on a single hand the number of times I've felt this way. Helpless, frightened, powerless.“Don't you dare lay a finger on her!” I barked, my voice trembling. “I can't promise that, Carlo,” the bastard drawled. “Your cooperation determines how this goes. If you do as I say, she gets to walk free, unharmed.” “What do you want?” I gritted, grabbing my phone so hard it was a surprise it didn't Crack. “Name your price.”“You, Carlo?” I could hear the smile in his voice. “You're the prize.” This fucking bastard. “Fine!” From the corner of my eyes, I could see Enzo shaking his head, saying no but my mind was made up. “You will come to the location I've just sent you,” he ordered. “Come alone, Carlo. I don't need any of your minions, just you. You in exchange for your whore.” I didn't wait for any more babbling from me, I hung up, checking the location he sent as Enzo walked up to me.“You can't go there alo
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY-FOUR: Gianpaolo’s POV: PRESENT…I had taken the next available flight back to Italy, I told myself it wasn't possible. When Rafael mentioned that it was Carlo who did it, it was harder to believe.Sure, we'd stopped talking for over two years but that didn't mean he'd betray me. That was what I thought until I was back home and I saw for myself that my father had been tortured and shot dead along with his men, our main mansion burnt and brought to the ground with workers, maids, and my Sofia and Amora…I'd been frozen to a spot, I couldn't move for hours, crying as I lay next to what looked like her remains. I was a coward.I should have moved then, found that bastard, and made him pay but Rafael said I would have only lost my life since Carlo was really powerful at that time, so powerful he'd taken his father down too… That day, I died along with Sofia and our daughter. I'd spent everyday for the past fifteen years living in pain, anger, hate….wanting
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY-THREE: Gianpaolo's POV: SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD….“It's been confirmed,” The doctor said with an unreadable expression on his face as he watched my new bride and childhood friend, Sofia. Her soft hand grabbed my mine tightly, nervousness clear as day as we awaited the doctor's diagnosis.She'd been feeling unwell lately and just last night, she came down with a high fever prompting my father to send for a doctor. I squeezed her hand back in a gentle reassurance while my heart thumped away behind my ribcage. “So?” I urged. “Tell us.” He broke into a blinding grin as he moved closer, holding his hand out to me which I took regardless of the confusion clouding my head. “Congratulations,” he said in a loud steady voice as he fixed his gaze back on Sofia. “You're pregnant Mrs Ravazzani.” Sofia let out a surprised gasp as I whispered, “Pregnant?” Warmth spread across my chest as I held the doctor's gaze.“Yes,” he nodded, still smiling. “She is with child.” I
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY-TWO: Gianpaolo's POV:I watched with great satisfaction as blood oozed from the spot where I stuck my knife into Carlo's side and I twisted the weapon once more for the fun of it. My eyes flicked up to his face just in time to see that smug looking face crumple with pain and in the same second, a loud crash bounced of the walls of the building.“What the hell do you think you're doing?!” I heard Alessandro hiss just as I turned my attention to Carlo's whore who was now on the floor, still trapped in a chair. So she wasn't just a whore but a nuisance too? Great. “Alessandro, get that bitch in order!” I ordered and he quickly moved to obey. I watched him lift her up and she snarled at him, “Traitor!” “Shut your mouth or this could end very quickly for you!” “Don't you dare lay a hand on her!” Carlo growled and I was surprised at how much strength he still had despite the fact that I stick had my knife in his guts.This motherfucker must really care for
Hi, y'all. Happy new month💗! I know chapter updates have been on hold for over a week now, and I sincerely apologize for that 🙏 I needed some time off for school and other stuff, but I'm back now. Updates resume any day from now, thank you so much for your patience💗And for the repeated chapters, I'm sorry and I will make it up to you. I do not take your support for granted 🥹💗 Love y'all 🫶🏻
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY-NINE: Natalia's POV: My eyes fluttered open and the first thing I noticed was the big hand resting on my waist and I stiffened.Carlo?Carefully and slowly, I turned around coming face to face with a sleeping Carlo. Like this, he looked so peaceful and even more gorgeous. So he came back to bed, cuddling with me. I thought. I could stay like this for hours—days—and not move, I love being in his arms like this, I love being this close to him. For the next ten minutes or so, I lay quietly, until his eyelashes fluttered open revealing those gorgeous eyes to me.“You're awake,” he mumbled in a deep, throaty voice and I smiled.“Yes,” I whispered. “I was watching you sleep,” I said before I could stop myself, almost like my mouth had no filter.He smiled. “You enjoy watching me sleep?” Maybe more than I'd like to admit. “I don't know,” I lied, avoiding his eyes. “I'm thirsty, could you move your arm?” “Don't stress yourself, I'll get water for you,” he i
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY:Angela's POV: HOURS EARLIER….Rueben was finally getting better and Camilla said his infections were gone. I couldn't stand being close to him like this out of guilt but I couldn't leave his side either. Of course, being the man he was, he didn't blame me, in fact, he was relieved I had gotten home safe. Can you believe it?I was the reason he almost died and he was worried about me?‘Tell him what happened and watch if he'd still care about you,’ A voice mocked in my head and I shut my eyes tightly to make it go away.Every day was an internal battle with my head and heart. Do I tell him or not? I know if I didn't there would be no way of him knowing since none of the people who already knew were going to spill it anyways.But it was eating me up inside. No one knew how I kept reliving that day every time I shut my eyes, no one knew how I kept looking behind me. How could they tell I could still feel those bastards moving in and out of my mouth?They
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY-ONE: Carlo's POV: My knees buckled. I can count on a single hand the number of times I've felt this way. Helpless, frightened, powerless.“Don't you dare lay a finger on her!” I barked, my voice trembling. “I can't promise that, Carlo,” the bastard drawled. “Your cooperation determines how this goes. If you do as I say, she gets to walk free, unharmed.” “What do you want?” I gritted, grabbing my phone so hard it was a surprise it didn't Crack. “Name your price.”“You, Carlo?” I could hear the smile in his voice. “You're the prize.” This fucking bastard. “Fine!” From the corner of my eyes, I could see Enzo shaking his head, saying no but my mind was made up. “You will come to the location I've just sent you,” he ordered. “Come alone, Carlo. I don't need any of your minions, just you. You in exchange for your whore.” I didn't wait for any more babbling from me, I hung up, checking the location he sent as Enzo walked up to me.“You can't go there alo
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY:Angela's POV: HOURS EARLIER….Rueben was finally getting better and Camilla said his infections were gone. I couldn't stand being close to him like this out of guilt but I couldn't leave his side either. Of course, being the man he was, he didn't blame me, in fact, he was relieved I had gotten home safe. Can you believe it?I was the reason he almost died and he was worried about me?‘Tell him what happened and watch if he'd still care about you,’ A voice mocked in my head and I shut my eyes tightly to make it go away.Every day was an internal battle with my head and heart. Do I tell him or not? I know if I didn't there would be no way of him knowing since none of the people who already knew were going to spill it anyways.But it was eating me up inside. No one knew how I kept reliving that day every time I shut my eyes, no one knew how I kept looking behind me. How could they tell I could still feel those bastards moving in and out of my mouth?They
Natalia's POV: My eyes fluttered open and the first thing I noticed was the big hand resting on my waist and I stiffened.Carlo?Carefully and slowly, I turned around coming face to face with a sleeping Carlo. Like this, he looked so peaceful and even more gorgeous. So he came back to bed, cuddling with me. I thought. I could stay like this for hours—days—and not move, I love being in his arms like this, I love being this close to him. For the next ten minutes or so, I lay quietly, until his eyelashes fluttered open revealing those gorgeous eyes to me.“You're awake,” he mumbled in a deep, throaty voice and I smiled.“Yes,” I whispered. “I was watching you sleep,” I said before I could stop myself, almost like my mouth had no filter.He smiled. “You enjoy watching me sleep?” Maybe more than I'd like to admit. “I don't know,” I lied, avoiding his eyes. “I'm thirsty, could you move your arm?” “Don't stress yourself, I'll get water for you,” he insisted, pulling away as he rose to