Angela's POV: The shocked expression on Natalia's face would have been hilarious under a different circumstance but not now. Yes, I had been trying to play it cool, act like what those monsters did to me was nothing, like it didn't bother me. I didn't even want zia to know but since Carlo knew about it, I knew it was only a matter of time but when zia spoke to me after my return, I was relieved to find out that he didn't tell her the full truth and made it look like those men had just groped and beat me up and threatened to rape me. Even more relieved to find out that he hadn't said a word about it to Alessandro. Left to me, I'd rather none of my family found out but with Carlo, it was inevitable since that disgusting pig felt like it was a thing of honor to brag about it to Carlo… Bottom line, Aless and zia can and should never find out. So, yeah. I'd decided to act like that was all it was until Natalia had to go and put me in my feelings.. I thought I was strong enough but
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SEVENTY-Five: Natalia's POV: My blood turned ice cold as Alessandro's voice thundered in the room and my eyes darted to the door to find a red faced Alessandro. Who was the fool who got caught up in the moment and forgot to lock the damn door? Me? I chanced a glance at Angela, and shit. This was not good at all. It wasn't. I wasn't a fool. I knew she wanted to keep this from them and now…. Now…. “Uhmm,” I cleared my throat as he shut the door behind him, approaching us. “Hi, Aless. Is there something you want?” Great. A lame attempt at distracting him. He didn't even spare me a glance as he stopped in front of his sister who looked like she'd just seen a ghost and was seconds away from shitting herself. “What did you just say, Angela?” His voice wasn't loud anymore, but anyone with common sense could tell he was dangerously furious. When Angela said nothing but blinked up at him, his eyes narrowed on her. “Did you just say what I th
Alessandro’s POV: Natalia balked at my words, the anger clear as day on her face but I was way past caring. I was furious! This was all that doctor's fault and he'd taste my wrath and fury! “You can't call your sister stupid!” Natalia snapped as she seemed to have recovered from her shock. “How can you be this stupid? Your sister doesn't need any of this now! This madness, this insensitivity, this anger!” What the fuck was she on about? “And what do you think my sister needs, huh?” I barked in her face. “Pampering? The lies you're about to feed her? Telling her everything will be okay when nothing is?” Natalia scoffed bitterly, shaking her head. “God! You're such an asshole! Can you hear yourself?!” Who exactly does she think she is questioning me like that? She wasn't here when Niko ruined Angela’s life and all in the name of love! And here she was repeating the same fucking mistake! Fine, the doctor may not have had a hand in the kidnapping but he'd been th
Natalia's POV: As soon as he stormed out of the room, I fell to my knees beside a heart broken, Angela. Guilt twisted my insides as I watched her cry into her hands, shoulders trembling. This was my fault. “I'm so sorry, Angie,” I whispered softly, my voice hoarse. “I should have at least locked the door.” She said nothing as her sobs filled the room and my hand landed gently on her shoulder. “I'm really sorry. I know my apologies won't fix this, but—” She shook her head, dropping her hands as she sniffled a little. “It's not your fault… I guess he would have found out anyway.” “But—” “It's fine, trust me,” She cut in sharply, red rimmed eyes staring back at me. “Don't beat yourself up about it. I'll be fine.” I gave her a skeptical look, searching my brain and coming up with nothing to say to ease the awkward tension. What had just happened way beyond crazy. I knew Alessandro loved his sister—I mean, he had to, right?—but his behavior toward her was anythi
Natalia’s POV: ‘What are you doing here?!’ The overhead light suddenly came on, stabbing my eyes, and I squinted, letting my retinas adjust to the sudden brightness. And when it did, they zeroed in on Carlo. And fuck, he looked pissed. “What are you doing here?” He repeated, eyes narrowed into slits. I swallowed, licking my lips, inching a bit closer to him until we were almost a foot apart. “I…I came to check in on you,” I said quietly. “You don't have to, I'm good.” He said that in the most dismissive manner ever I felt my stomach clench. “I’m sorry,” I blurted nervously but when he said nothing, I continued. “I acted recklessly and put your life in danger… I shouldn’t have done that.” “You think that's what this is?” He scoffed, shaking his head and I frowned, confused. “You think I'm upset about that?” Wasn't that the reason? He got wounded because of me, shouldn't he be upset about that? Anyone would be, right? Slowly, with slight effort, he rose from
Natalia's POV: Carlo lied.It's been almost four days since I last spoke to him and when I went over to his bedroom to seek him out first, I was told, ‘Don is out.’ The same words I've been hearing for two days in a row.I'd spoken to Doctor Camilla when she came over to check on Ava and Angela but she said nothing other than ‘he's a grown man and can handle himself,’ ‘it's not the first time he's disappeared, especially after an incident like this that left him wounded.’ Okay, but all those other times, I didn't know him, haven't met, wasn't in love with him or had a child with him. The not knowing was killing me plus the asshole wasn't responding to my texts or calls! He wanted me to take care of myself but didn't he know how behavior would stress me out?Plus, I was only now remembering the discussion I had with Doctor Camilla weeks back. What if he experiences one of his traumatic episodes coupled with the fact that he'd just escaped death? How would he cope? ‘Don't be silly,
Angela's POV: It was so much easier doing this with someone else. On my own, it was like mission impossible. Deceiving guards and trying to navigate my way but Natalia made it easier. We were at the huge Iron, rusted gate leading to the dungeon and I reached under my nightgown for the key I'd stolen. “Here,” I extended my hand to Natalia and her eyes grew in size. “Where did you get that?” She whispered harshly. I shrugged. “I have my ways.” She shot me an impressed look. “You must have really prepared for this.” Yes, I have. More than anything. After that incident in my room. I'd been restless. I'd seen the dangerous glint in Alessandro's eyes before he stormed out of my room. Okay, I might have misread him and he really did leave Rueben alone. But the way he'd been avoiding me lately said otherwise. I knew that fuckface, he was my twin. I knew he was hiding something from me…. “It's not locked,” Natalia's shocked voice pulled me out of my head and I blinked up at h
Alessandro’s POV: That was how I found myself ordering guards to unchain the doctor and sending up to the guest room. I'd just released the very man that'd been responsible for what my sister had to go through and all because of her. She may have saved him this one time, but let's see how she does so in the future, but first, I had somewhere to be.After I'd made sure the doctor was placed in the room, Angela had immediately called for Camilla—it was late midnight, so I knew it would take an hour or more until she got here. I left the room with both women tending to the grunting man while they waited for Camilla.I got into my car after shooting a quick text to who I was meeting up with. They were another person I needed to deal with, another fool who was responsible for this mess. This wasn't supposed to be the outcome.I took a turn to my left, driving up a narrow path that led to the woods about an hour away from the estate—since it was midnight, it took me less than an hour si
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