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… Ignoring the way it felt like my heart was ripping apart. 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 stomac
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. “
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: 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
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: AFTER BREAKFAST …I think I slept off after crying again. Not sure how long but my eyes snapped open when I felt fingers in my hair. My eyes felt heavy and painful, my vision was a little blurry from all the crying and sleeping…I sat up slowly, forcing the fingers to leave my hair and I blinked as my eyes focused on the figure before me. “Caterina?” I moved slightly, wincing as my whole body ached from sleeping on the ground for hours. “Hey, dear.” Her hand came up to cup my face gently. “I brought you breakfast.” She motioned behind her and that was when I noticed Angela and a maid standing beside her with a tray of food.“There's a chocolate mousse cake too, I know you love those,” Angela urged with a smile.Ignoring her, I let my eyes shift from one woman to the other and I hated how vulnerable I feel. Pushing to my feet with great difficulty, feeling/hearing my bones pop and I winced. “I'm not hungry,” I said softly.“Nonsense.” Caterina's voice was soft, but f
Natalia's POV: LATER AT NIGHT…This was stupid. I thought for a billion times, yet, I found myself standing at Carlo's doorstep…Ever felt so nervous it felt like you're about to shit yourself? Yep, that was how I felt as I raised my hand to knock on his door. With each rap of my knuckles against the wooden door, the pit in my stomach deepened.I counted down to seven before I heard his heavy footsteps pad across the room and in no time, the door swung open, revealing a shirtless Carlo. Those impressive pecs on full display, rock hard abs, flexing. A trail of dark hair starting from his lower abdomen and disappearing into the waistband of that seductive grey sweatpants he had on.I gulped. Hard. ‘Get it together you fool.’My eyes lifted back to his, the surprise in those bluish gray eyes was palpable. I cleared my throat. “Uhh, hi?” ‘Really? Is that all you could say?’“I need to speak to you.” I said, a lot firmer this time and with a lot more confidence. But his expression quic
Alessandro's POV: Going back to have a talk with Luca was a waste of my time. The little shit has his mind made up! Shit! Shit! My hands flew to my hair, tugging painfully as I paced the length of my room. This was bad. For me and my partner. We were so fucking close! What was Luca thinking, really? How could he suddenly come back home and ruin everything for me? If he marries Natalia that was bad news for me. I was already plotting on how to use their growing relationship to my advantage and now that is ruined?! Fuckingshit! But the poor girl though… I knew I didn't care much for her but… she has been through enough already. I could tell she was already in love with Carlo. How would she handle this? Was there even a way to help her out of the mess? I don't think so. Carlo was adamant and very clear about his standing on this matter. The bastard didn't even flinch or show any emotion after he'd just broken the poor girl's heart. I really wish I could hel
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWO: Carlo's POV: HOURS LATER… It was just eight in the morning and I was still thinking of how to approach Natalia and apologize for my outburst yesterday. My pride wouldn't let me though. It was wounded, bruised and battered. Of course, I knew I had way too much pride for one person and my ego was three sizes bigger than a football stadium. Still, I needed to shove them aside and talk to the woman who meant a lot to me… Haven't even told her that already. Thanks to my pride. ‘You're not fit to be in a relationship, Carlo.’ A voice mocked. It wasn't wrong. It's a wonder how she puts up with me. ‘Just go to her, how hard is that?’ True, it shouldn't be hard. To be honest, I wasn't the only person who had been affected by yesterday's event. She was too. But in a moment of selfishness, I made it all about me. Neither I nor Gianpaolo were completely innocent but she was. She was the one caught in a century-long war and yet, she'd handle it with gr
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-ONE: Angela's POV: Why did I change my mind? Because I knew he'd always fuck up, just like he had done in the past and I was done putting my hopes on a nineteen year old who acts like a lost puppy! Luca was like that stuck gum underneath your shoe that you couldn't quite get rid of. Why did I think it was a good idea to seduce and manipulate my nephew? The thing is, I wasn't thinking and about two years ago, I thought it was the most brilliant idea, that was before Natalia was brought here. I'd thought if I'd made him fall in love with me, I could control him. Well, I can in fact, control him. The fucker does whatever I want, would put his life in danger without hesitation if I asked, even the planned attack on he and Natalia, he'd agreed to that without hesitation but Luca had one big flaw; he'd always protect his father… He was okay with my plan to take over and rule—he thinks he'd be by my side for that, pathetic—but he keeps insisting that I do
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY:Angela's POV:Acting cool and calm when I wanted to scream my head off was exhausting. God!!!!!!I fucking, fucking knew it!!!! I knew the moment he found out Natalia was his fucking daughter, he'd grow weak! And that stupid bitch! I didn't know she'd carry the ring with her, it had always been in her bag! And even when she kept pestering Alessandro to find her parents, I kept leading him to the wrong ends… It didn't take too much since it was really hard to find some random girl's parents but I'd done research on Gianpaolo long before I'd told Alessandro to join forces with him—long before Natalia came into the picture. So as soon as I saw the ring, I knew. Sofia had it on in one of her pictures and that was all I needed to piece two and two together.This was my fault. I left a loose end. I never do those! Now, my brother had gone fucking missing and this pathetic old prick was backing out of our revenge plot! No!I'd given way too much into this. Th
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & NINETEEN:Gianpaolo's POV:3:14 The harsh taste of alcohol and the bitter, burnt taste of cigars were all that could ground me as my mind was a mess of emotions, clouded and broken.You could say I was distraught, devastated. Which was funny considering these feelings were all because of Carlo. All these years, I've chased revenge. I'd been rebuilding my father's fallen empire and all the while trying to hunt down Carlo. To be honest, it hasn't been easy; starting from scratch and trying to overthrow the most powerful man in the city, fuck that, you could call him the most powerful man in Europe…. It was the truth, a truth that grated on my nerves for years. That bastard had grown to be the most powerful man after ruining lives, mine included. And I'd wanted his life, I just didn't want him dead. Everyone knew death was an easy way out. For years I'd wanted what he had and make him my prisoner, break him until he was no better than those in a psych ward. I'd be
Hi💗 How are y'all doing? I've seen your comments, and honestly, I have no intentions of dragging this story out 😅 I'm trying to tie loose ends and make sure there are no plot holes. There's more to be uncovered and I don't think ending it abruptly would seem nice 😅 Don't worry, we are very close to the finishing line and I don't plan on taking this story into next mont (I have abandoned plots I'm supposed to be working on) So, I'm pleading with yall to understand me😊 I'm not dragging this out, I promise. Thank you for your support as always. Thank you 💗 😊
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & EIGHTEEN: Carlo's POV: “He was telling the truth,” Natalia sighed after Gianpaolo stormed out. “You can't tell me that!” The thing is, she can. Even my conscience told me that but it was hard to change what I've come to know for twenty years! She came to a stop in front of me, blue eyes blazing. “But he was telling the truth, you both were put against each other on purpose, can't you see that?” Her voice was surprisingly calm for someone who looked angry. “Couldn't you tell he was betrayed too? Fooled by his own father for his selfish gains.” “Why are you taking his side, again?” I snapped. “Because you think he's your father and suddenly you have a soft spot for him?” That came out before I could stop myself. It was harsh, I knew it was and I half expected her to yell back but she didn't. It was unnerving. “I'm on your side,” she pressed her index finger into my chest, frown deepening as disappointment filled her eyes. “And it is because I'm on you
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & SEVENTEEN: Gianpaolo's POV: What the fuck was this motherfucker saying? I watched his face contort in disbelief mixed with irritation as if he had expected me to agree with whatever he was saying. “Don't play dumb with me now, Paolo!” He hissed. “I heard you, he called you. My father spoke to —” “Accusing me doesn't mean I have a clue about whatever this is!” His eyes met Amora's and he exhaled deeply as if trying to calm himself. “Didn't you speak to my father while you were away at your grandmother's house?” My brows furrowed. “...We were fifteen,” he supplied and then, it clicked in my head like a switch had been flicked on. I could tell he knew when the moment registered in my brain as the muscles around his jaw twitched, his eyes hardening with a dangerous glint. “Yes, I spoke to your father,” I confessed. “But he was the one who called me first to ask me about the pictures he'd found in my camera.” His nostrils flared. “Indecent pi
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & SIXTEEN: Carlo's POV: At the mention of Gianpaolo's name, my mood was ruined all over again and I would never admit that his presence here, especially with the DNA test, was making my stomach cramp with unnecessary stress and anxiety.A soft hand wrapped around my arm and I looked at Natalia beside me. “Let's go,” she whispered.‘No. You go alone.’ It was on the tip of my tongue to say that, after all, there was no telling what might happen if it was positive. Instead, I nodded in agreement and let her lead me downstairs…By the time we got to the living room, Gianpaolo was pacing the length of it, dressed in a dark navy blue dress shirt and black pants. “Carlo. You're here,” Zia announced, pulling Gianpaolo's attention to us and when his gaze landed on Natalia who still held my hand he frowned a little before breaking into a wide grin like an eager puppy.“Amora,” he greeted Natalia and I winced hating the fact that she greeted him in return with the same pol
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & FIFTEEN: Carlo's POV: PRESENT…“I can't believe Angela and Alessandro's mom did all that to you and your mom and still, you raised them and loved them,” Natalia scoffed angrily and I smiled.“Their mother hated them anyway and if we are being honest, I and zia did most of the work even before the incident,” I tell her. “Still, it is unfair.”“You talk like you aren't raising the child of the man who traumatized you,” I pointed out and she frowned.“That's different!” “It is really not.”Her frown deepened. “But Alessandro hates you, he tried to kill you! He thinks you deserve to die for what you did to his mother.”True. But.. “Alessandro doesn't know the whole truth and I don't blame him. I can't even punish him for it.”“Then why did you send men to look for him?”I gave it a brief thought before I replied. “Well, at first, I was furious. I still am. He put you in danger when all he really wanted was to harm me. I needed to punish him for that. But then, af