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
Natalia’s POV:My heart thumped rapidly against my chest, each beat echoing in my ears as I shoved a hoodie into my duffel bag. Sweat beaded on my forehead with each fast movement I made. I needed to escape. It was now or never. BANG!!My heart skipped a beat as a shiver ran down my spine at the sound of the living room door being slammed. I knew what the sound was, it was HIM again. No doubt already drunk even though the day was just starting. Quickly, I pushed my little sister, Ava, into the closet. “Don’t come out until I come to get you, okay?” She nodded, her big brown eyes glistened with tears as the fear on her face mirrored mine. I placed a kiss on her forehead. “I won't let him hurt you. I promise.” Liar, you can't even protect yourself. The voice in my head mocked and I squashed it, shutting the closet door, and headed for the living room as my heart raced with a familiar dread. He wasn't supposed to be home, he was usually off at some bar drinking until evening. So
Natalia’s POV:“You… you can’t do that!” I spat as my mind raced wildly. The man’s index finger curled around the trigger. “You underestimate me, piccolina.” His deep voice was cold and void of any emotion. My blood ran cold as I broke out in cold sweat. I was glued to a spot.Torn between wanting to agree and disagree. Just moments ago I could almost taste my freedom and dreams. I worked my butt off for years to be awarded a fully funded scholarship. Everyone else was going off to college in a few weeks. I couldn't possibly follow a stranger across the continent to get married. War raged inside me at his threat. I can’t let this man ruin everything for me. I won’t back down. I have to call the cops. As if dad heard my thoughts. “Na… Natalia…” Dad breathed as tears rolled down his cheeks.“Plea… please do as he says. Don Carlo’s going to kill me if you don't.”Don Carlo? My heart squeezed painfully at his plea. He might have been an asshole to me all my life but he was still my f
Natalia’s POV:It’s all my fault… I caused this… Why didn’t I follow them? Instead, I thought I could outsmart them and I was wrong. So terribly wrong. Tears blurred my vision as every fight I had in me melted away. I turned to Carlo, the devil in human form. “I’ll come with you,” I said in a soft plea. “I’ll do anything! Please.”My eyes turned back to where Ava stood in front of the black van, tears streaming down her cheeks as her brown gaze locked with mine. A man stood behind her, his left hand closed her mouth, muffling her screams while his right held a dagger against her neck. How could they do that to a child?! I yanked my arm from his hold and dropped to my knees, clasping my hands in front of me. “Please, don’t do this… please!”His gray-blue eyes studied me, they were expressionless and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. With each second that passed, my anxiety heightened. Carlo made eye contact with the man holding Ava and he let her go. Like lightning, Ava dashe
Carlo’s POV:Death had a smell.Tears, blood, sweat, and fear…I glanced back at the traitor—Marco’s limp body being chained to a chair. In my world, disloyalty and lies were deadly sins. The only way to punish traitors for such an unforgivable sin was death. “Wake the stronzo up,” I growled. “Sure thing, Capo,” Enzo, my cousin and right-hand man answered as he moved to Marco, striking him hard across the face and he jerked awake. Marco’s left eye was ballooned shut, his lip split, and his cheek already bruising. Marco had been working for me for over ten years, yet he betrayed me. The fucker knew how much I hated traitors and yet.“You know what happens to men like you, don't you?” I asked, my voice hard and cold. “Don Carlo, please…please don’t do this. I’m sorry. I was desperate, he had my family,” he cried as snot dripped down his broken nose. If he was desperate, he could have come to me for help. But no, the fucker took the easier way out. He stole from me and sold informa
Natalia’s POV:I shouldn’t have opened the envelope…My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor, the envelope crinkled under my grip as my hands trembled. Suddenly, the room felt too little and it felt like my lungs could no longer function as I struggled to breathe. This can’t be true—A rattling sound behind the door had me scrambling to my feet as I wiped my eyes. Quickly, I hid the envelope and its contents in my duffel bag, stuffing the rest of my things back inside my bag. I couldn't let anyone find me in this state.The door swung open, and I expected it to be Carlo. But at the door stood an elderly lady and a young woman who held a tray of food and juice.I frowned. “Who are you?”“Ciao, bella. How are you?” The older lady asked, ignoring my question. “Let’s get you freshened up and changed into something—”“Who are you?” I asked again. The older lady’s eyes softened as she sighed. She gestured to the younger lady. “This is Vittoria, she will serve you. She’s your maid—
CHAPTER SIXCarlo’s POVStunned. That was my first reaction.A throbbing pain shot through my skull, and I could feel the warm trickle of blood mixing with wine, running down my face.For a moment, everything froze. I took in the woman in front of me, the one who'd dared to hit me, her face had gone pale and her eyes wide with horror. I blinked as my vision swam.My men—brutal, ruthless men—stood like statues. Equally stunned speechless. Eyes wide, jaws slacked. In seconds, shock morphed into blinding fury, it boiled inside me, I could suffocate from it. She had just disrespected me , in front of my men.Drew blood from my head and made me look weak.Almost in the same breath, Enzo—my right hand man—moved first. His face twisted with rage as he lunged for her, grabbing her arms as he pressed the barrel of his hand gun against her temple. Natalia let out a sharp gasp. “Enzo, don't!” Caterina yelled. I wiped the blood from my face. “Easy, Enzo,” I said calmly despite the rage brewi
Natalia's POV: His face was awfully familiar—sharp jawline, strong cheekbones, that same dark, silky hair. So similar, yet, different. He was much younger—around my age. There was concern in his golden green eyes, not cruelty like a certain someone’s bluish-grey ones. He began walking with me in his arms, my own arms wrapped securely around his neck. “I’m Luca,” He said. “I’m sorry about my father, he can be an asshole sometimes.”Father…? Then it clicked, the resemblance… “You’re Carlo’s son!” My throat felt tight.His eyes widened slightly, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. “Okay, no one calls father, ‘Carlo’ well, except great-aunt. Yes, I’m his son.”I shoved against his chest. “Put me down!” “Hey, hey, it’s okay,” his voice was a gentle whisper. “I’m not going to hurt you.”I doubt that. “Let me go!” I said through my clattering teeth. “I can walk.”Instead, his arms tightened around me. “I can’t, you were literally catatonic when I found you. I don’t think you’re okay.”I
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
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & FOURTEEN: Carlo's POV: FLASHBACK….The blood stopped flowing at some point, its color darkening the more it was exposed to oxygen and as it started to form a sticky, drying mess.Mother…What have I done?!I remained on my knees, unmoving as I held her close to me. I'd hoped it wasn't real, that I hadn't just shot my mother dead… but there was no mistaking the smell of blood, the sight of it, and how her body began to grow cold…I couldn't speak, only the tears wetting my face could express how I felt…I'd killed her.My hands shook, and a cold shiver overtook my body as I felt the pit in my stomach deepen.They were on me in seconds—the guards. I let them rough-handle me. There was no point putting up a fight. I could barely hear the words coming out of my father's mouth, it felt like my head was underneath water. Every sound is muffled, they seem to be coming from somewhere far away. I barely registered my surroundings as the guards dragged me out of the hall
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & THIRTEEN: Carlo's POV: PRESENT….“I… I missed,” The words came out in a strained sob.It should be embarrassing that I'd completely broken down in front of the one woman I hoped to impress in life but I couldn't find it in me to stop the tears from flowing or the way my breath hitched as breathing became a struggle…She was grabbing my entire arm now, rubbing my shoulder and back and it was a struggle to not pull away…. I was fine. I should be fine. It had happened twenty years ago, I should have moved past it but I know deep down that I was still stuck in that moment. The moment I'd made the greatest mistake of my life.“I hadn't meant to shoot her. Never,” I explained, needing her to understand me, to believe me. “It was a mistake.” “I know. I believe you,” she whispered softly, so softly, it could have been missed. “I can't imagine how much pain that must have caused you.” The pain was blinding.I still remember how the hall fell quiet, even the guards besi
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWELVE: Carlo's POV: PRESENT….Natalia had gone still beside me. She fought hard to mask her expression that I couldn't tell if she was shocked, confused, and/or worried…Recalling that night wasn't an easy feat. It reminded me of so many memories I'd rather bury at the back of my mind forever… It was the same memory that had haunted me for years… Father's ruthlessness, my weakness, and Gianpaolo's betrayal…Even as he'd confirmed the words, even as father had tossed the lewd photographs of mother with the young man after I'd still insisted that Gianpaolo was lying, I knew mother was being framed. One might have called me stupid back then, saying that I had way too much faith in my mother and they wouldn't be wrong. I trusted that woman more than my own self, I knew her inside out, I'd been by her side for years, mother was as pure as a dove and I could bet my life on it. Her only flaw? It was loving Rinaldo Moretti. She had an unwavering loyalty for him and so
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & ELEVEN: Carlo's POV: Dread pooled my stomach as I waited for his ‘proof’ I trust Gianpaolo with my life, he wasn't capable of such!Father signaled to his right hand man and the big guy pulled out a cassette player and got to work. I frowned.What was going on?Why did he need that? And then he pressed play. “Gianpaolo, my boy,” it was father's voice coming from the speakers. “How are things over there?” “Fine, sir,” I stilled. That's Gianpaolo's voice!“Good, good. I want to ask you some questions, please answer truthfully. Your father is here with me, don't worry, you're not in trouble. I just need to confirm some things your father had brought to my notice.”Father was never this calm with me. Never.“Okay, sir.” “Do you own the grey camera in your room?” A pause.“Yes, sir.” A deep sigh.“Every picture taken with it, was done by you, yes?” “Sir… sir,” he sounded worried, alarmed… my heart started beating faster. “I—”“You're not in trouble,” father c
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TEN: Natalia's POV: PRESENT….Somewhere along the line, I'd managed to finish attending to his wounds as I listened to his horrifying past. Does it make me stupid and ignorant that I didn't think that someone like Carlo would have had such a terrible and traumatizing past…?As he spoke, recalling every detail of his past, his eyes had this faraway look that somehow showed how much pain he'd had to endure… Why would his father go as far as abusing him sexually? It was crazy but Carlo seemed like he'd rather not dwell on it and I'd respected that even though it didn't sit well with me… Even though I could tell it hurt him just recalling that night… I don't know how to feel… I kind of felt like a piece of shit but at the same time… at the same time….Nevermind. I wouldn't think about that right now. I'd demanded to hear his side of the story and I have to. Maybe I'd jumped to take sides too quickly, maybe I should have given him a chance and not blamed him for
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & NINE: Carlo's POV: TWO DAYS LATER….I still didn't have any clue on what to do. And I was beginning to think father was right when he called me stupid or foolish.The secret was weighing me down, suffocating and I was sick of it. Thankfully, father wasn't back, he'd be away for at least two weeks and maybe that was enough time to figure out a plan. By day four, I was exhausted and my brain was blank. It was fucking annoying that I couldn't confide in Gianpaolo. Enzo would have been the best next choice but he was still mourning the death of his father—father's younger brother—a plane crash had claimed his life leaving Enzo shattered and it didn't make sense to bother him with my problems.Then… mother? Surely, she'd know what to do, right?I made the conclusion to tell mother after dinner and I did, by the time I was done narrating what had happened, her expression was unreadable. Which was disturbing. Mother was an open book, too meek, too innocent for her ow
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & EIGHT: Carlo's POV: “One more round, please!” Gianpaolo whined. He'd lost again to me and for the past two hours or so, he'd kept asking for a rematch and I couldn't say no. One, this was my best friend, one of the few persons who gave a fuck about me, and two, I was having fun. I always had fun whenever I got here. Gianpaolo was never short of new video games his father had gotten him, new gifts, and new adventures. I learned how to ride a bicycle because Gianpaolo had one, learned how to play soccer because his father had set up an entire soccer field for him in their backyard when he was nine—the list was endless. Sometimes, I was jealous of him and that made me feel like an asshole because truly, he was nothing but good to me and he didn't have to… I think the one good thing father had done for me was Gianpaolo. He was friends with Gianpaolo's father, well, more business partners than friends but they at least liked each other enough.“I'm tired!” He groan