"Don't you remember anyone else than your parents?" I looked up at him and he licked his tongue as if he were expecting me to remember someone and tell him about that.My eyebrows drew together in confusion as I gulped and tried to remember someone."I mean maybe your siblings, friend, classmate, or someone else," he asked."No, I don't. I barely remember my parents, the one who gave me life and was with me all the time. How could I remember anyone else?" I breathed out "And as much as I remember, I was a single child of my parents," I told him.As I poured my heart out, his hand that had been resting on my knees all the time moved away, and I felt his reassuring palms on my shoulders, squeezing them lightly. He was now standing in front of me."He ruined everything, Vincenzo," I cried, my voice choked with pain while his hand remained on my shoulder "Because of him, I lost my entire childhood, my teenage years, and my parents. I can never get any of it back."Vincenzo's arms moved to
Roseline's POV"My Rose, she truly defined her name, soft and beautiful inside out." His eyes shone brighter than I had ever seen as he started telling me his part of the story.He drew a deep breath as he savored the taste of the caramel that I just shared with him. His eyes fixated on the front wall as he took a trip down memory lane, back to the days when his love story with Rose began. "I used to stay at a hostel near her house. I was around eleven years old when one day I got scolded by a teacher for not completing my homework, After that, even my parents scolded me because I was their only child and they had so many expectations from me that I was always burdened under their expectations. Feeling upset, I went to a nearby field and started crying. I was quite foolish back then, and I used to cry about everything. I didn't have control over my emotions back then.His emotions were evident as he recalled those tender moments from his past, and he continued, "I was sobbing uncon
"But that year...," he continued, his expression growing more somber, "my grandfather and parents decided it was time for us to spend a month together as a family. They came to pick me up, and though I was reluctant to leave, they insisted and I had to listen to them because I was too small to go against their wish. They were not there for me and I wanted to stay with my Rose but I was helpless."He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to hide her tears."Before heading back home, I decided to visit her one last time and explain that I wouldn't be able to see her for a whole month. Only I know how I controlled my emotions that day in front of her when all I wanted was to cry. As I stood before her, her innocent eyes filled with confusion and concern, my heart ached at the thought of being away from her side, and somewhere I wasn't feeling good that day."He exhaled a deep breath and it felt like he went to that day itself as he told me about that.~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~Rose, who alwa
"What if you don't come back?" she asked, her voice trembling.His body froze for a second as he heard his question. He couldn't even think about not returning and was unable to meet his Rose for the rest of his life. He would be there for her forever and he would do anything to make it happen. He held her gently in his arms, wanting to protect her from all the fears and uncertainties that she had."I will always come back to you. You are the most important person in my life, and no matter where I go or what I do, my heart will always lead me back to you."She sniffed and rubbed her already red button-like nose, turning it into an even darker shade of red."And... will you still play house with me when you come back?" She asked, her voice filled with pure innocence.He wanted to chuckle at the question she kept asking."Of course! We will play house and have even more fun than before." He caressed her head gently.But there was something else on her mind, something that weighed heavil
"What did you hear?" I asked, my curiosity mixed with trepidation."They were discussing the couple they had tried to kill in that accident," he said, his words hanging heavily in the air as his mind replayed that day. "They believed that the couple had escaped and was on the run, but they found three dead bodies about 50 kilometers away from the accident site, among which there was a kid's body as well. My father wanted to tell me the truth to bring me out of the trauma and make me believe that my Rose is no more but my mother stopped him." His chin quivered. "What?" It came out of my mouth instinctively. My eyes widened and I could see the pain in his eyes, which was bare. "Yes, but I had to keep my mouth shut for my parents, which killed me even more from the inside." He paused for a moment, as if contemplating the weight of his words and the impact they had on his life."Since then, the Vincenzo whom my Rose used to call Enzo died," he continued, his voice tinged with sadness.
Roseline's POV"I don't remember you staring at me or me helping a boy like that," I said honestly, my memory failing to recall the specific incident he had described even when I tried to go back to that day."You know, you do acts of kindness in your daily life," he replied, his voice gentle and understanding. "It's not unusual for you to forget a single instance, but for me, witnessing such kindness in this cruel world was something extraordinary, something I couldn't forget."Maybe he is right! I always try to help as many people as I can on the street or wherever I go."A day before I visited your orphanage," he began, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "I had a heated argument with my grandfather. He was pressuring me to marry, believing that it would help me move on from my past. My family thought that Rose was no longer alive, and they wanted me to find someone else to love and forget about her. But deep down, I knew that nothing could make me forget my Rose."He paused for a
"Come on," he said with a playful grin, ignoring my protests as he grabbed my hand and led me out of his office.His employees stared at him in surprise as we walked out. I am sure they must be surprised because they didn't have to see their boss leaving the office during working hours.Soon I found myself sitting in the car, and he played music. I was looking out of the window when his words interrupted my thoughts."Have this by the time we reach there," he proposed and I was amazed to find caramel in between his fingers.From where did he get it?Don't tell me he keeps the caramel in the car as well.I didn't want him to disturb me while driving so I just took it from him. On the first day when I stole his caramel, he warned me not to do that again and now he is giving them to me by himself.After a few minutes, we were in the restaurant. My head was still filled with all the things that Vincenzo told me back in his office. His love for his little Rose, him knowing me before the fi
Roseline's POV"Won't you feed me?""Huh?" My eyebrows drew together in confusion."You know, my palms are still injured. In the morning, you bandaged them, fed me when I didn't want to, and dressed me with your own will but now you are busy in eating yourself without caring about me," he complained."But it is you who said that you are fine and you don't need the bandage anymore." I stated what he said, trying to reason with him rationally.He is the one who removed the bandage and flexed his palms in front of me, telling me that he was fine. Why should I think about him before eating?"Okay, fine!" he conceded, not looking happy with my response.Before he could reach for the spoon, I took a piece of meat from my dish and moved it towards his lips. He glared at me for a moment but eventually opened his mouth to accept the bite.I was right—he is still a kid!A stubborn one...It seemed like he enjoyed testing my patience, but I found it endearing in a way.I was feeding him while ha
Roseline's POVI was packing a lunch box to have it together in the garden as planned by Enzo when Roderick came running to me. "Mommmyyyyyyy!"I turned to find my sweet three-year-old son standing there, his eyes filled with innocence and his lips forming a cute pout."Yes, baby?" I responded, bending down to his level.Our children had grown so fast, and it seemed like just yesterday when I was carrying them in my belly, experiencing their little kicks and wiggles. Soon, they will start going to school as well. "Chocolate," he requested, his tiny hand reaching out and his big, hopeful eyes locked onto mine. He was blinking up at me innocently with a pout on his lips. I couldn't help but chuckle at his irresistible charm. "But you already had some today, my love," I said gently, aware of the perils of too much chocolate for a young child. "You know that having too much can give you cavities in your teeth."He pouted a little more, his eyes welling up with tiny tears."Mommy, plea
One year laterRoseline's POVAs I sat in the VIP seat, watching my husband Vincenzo on the stage, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride and happiness. Today was a momentous occasion—an interview that marked the culmination of Vincenzo's relentless pursuit of success. He had not only climbed the corporate ladder but had also become the richest man in the country as a result of his dedication and unyielding work ethic.His company had experienced unprecedented growth under his leadership, and it was all a result of his own hard work and visionary approach to business. When I asked him what would I do here, he said that it was because of my luck that he had been able to achieve all this but it was nothing but a lie. It is his own hard work. On the stage, Vincenzo was poised and confident, fielding questions from the interviewer with ease. His words were measured and insightful, a reflection of the wisdom he had gained through years of experience. The audience was capt
Roseline's POV"Ma'am, you are done," the attendants announced, taking a step back to admire their work.As soon as I stood up, I couldn't resist the curiosity to see myself. My heart raced with anticipation as I approached the mirror. When I finally gazed upon my reflection, my jaw dropped, and my eyes widened in sheer disbelief.I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was me, but at the same time, it felt like an entirely different person staring back at me. The transformation was astonishing.Before this moment, I had rarely worn makeup, and the sight of myself in such an exquisite wedding dress, adorned with intricate makeup and hair styling, left me feeling completely transformed. It was as if I had stepped into a dream, and I marveled at the beautiful bride that I had become.For the first time in my life, I saw myself as truly beautiful. "My Princess," My father's voice gently called out, drawing my attention as he stepped into the room."Dad," I responded with a smile, my h
Roseline's POVI was completing my assignment when suddenly I felt a kick. My fingers trembled as I tried to maintain my focus on the assignment, the cursor on my computer screen blinking in time with my racing heart.At first, I thought that it was normal as the due date was only two days ahead but then that sudden kick, strong and insistent, tore my attention away from the words on the screen. I gasped, my hands instinctively clutching my swollen belly. It had been a day filled with intermittent twinges, but this was different and sharper, and it frightened me."Ahhhhhh!" a loud, painful scream left my throat. The kicks became a relentless rhythm, punctuated by contractions that wrapped around me like vipers of pain. I cried out, a scream echoing through the room, the intensity of it threatening to consume me."Enzo!" Desperation took over as I called out for Vincenzo. My voice quivered with fear and pain as I said his name, the urgency in my tone carrying through the walls of the
Roseline's POVWith only one month left until our babies would enter this world, Vincenzo and I were bursting with anticipation. Every day brought us closer to the moment we had been eagerly awaiting.Since the traumatic incident, I have become quite the homebody, rarely venturing outside except for my regular checkups. I clung to Vincenzo's side, feeling safest in his presence, and he never left my side for a moment.Most of my days were spent in a gentle cycle of sleep and study. The fatigue that accompanied this stage of pregnancy often left me too tired to focus on our startup project, much less anything else. I marveled at how some pregnant women managed to stay perpetually excited and energetic, while I struggled to find the motivation to even comb my hair.My eyes remained closed, and I was still lying in my comfortable cocoon when I felt a gentle hand on my head. An immediate sense of warmth and comfort washed over me, and a wide, contented smile spread across my lips.Vincenz
Roseline's POVBeepBeepBeepBefore I could even flutter my eyes open, a rhythmic beeping sound reached my ears, a reassuring signal that I was in a hospital. Memories of the terrifying events leading up to my loss of consciousness played like a haunting reel in my mind.My initial instinct was to protect my unborn babies. My hands instinctively reached for my stomach, and a wave of relief washed over me as I felt the reassuring presence of my baby bump."Rose." Vincenzo's voice broke through the haze as he rushed to my side, settling into a chair beside my hospital bed. His gentle hand began to caress my head, offering a soothing touch."Vincenzo, my babies?" I managed to voice my primary concern."They are fine," he breathed out, nodding reassuringly. His words eased the immense worry that had gripped me."How are you feeling?" he inquired, genuine concern etched on his face."I am fine," I assured him.My trembling hands reached out, and I gently enclosed his palm within mine, squ
Vincenzo's POVI was with Roseline, selecting a dress, when I got an important call. As much as I didn't want to leave her alone, I had to attend the call as well. Asking her to stay at her place, I went to attend the call but to my surprise, the loss of network didn't let me hear anything. I had to walk ahead and suddenly I was pushed inside a room. I wasn't expecting it so I fell inside and before I could react, I was locked inside. "Open the door." I banged but no one came. Locked inside the dimly lit room, anxiety gripped my chest as I desperately tried to break free. The sound of my fist pounding against the solid door echoed through the space, but there was no response from the other side. I couldn't even see the face of the man who pushed me inside. But I am sure about one thing: everything is planned. I couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was afoot, and my mind raced with thoughts of Roseline alone and vulnerable. "My men took about twenty minutes to reac
Fear and confusion swirled within me as Kevin drove the car, leaving me paralyzed with disbelief. The Kevin I had known, the one who had shared laughter and joy with me, now seemed like a completely different person—a dark and dangerous one.I struggled a bit more but I sat back when I knew that there was no way out of this. I was already bone tired and I thought twice about keeping my energy reserved to fight with him once I was out of this car. I still couldn't believe that he was the same Kevin with whom I had shared so many laughs and giggles. I never knew that a devil was lurking behind that helping face. Vincenzo was already aware of his reality and this was the reason he was always asking me to keep my distance from him but I was so foolish that I never listened to him. I kept on looking out, trying to memorize the way so that I could run back when I got a chance to escape him. After what felt like an hour, he finally applied the brake. He came out and when he opened my si
Roseline's POV"You really don't have a good collection," Vincenzo remarked, his voice tinged with frustration.I was getting tired, to be honest. We had been at the bridal boutique for three hours, and while I was falling in love with every wedding gown they had, Vincenzo seemed unimpressed with any of them.He kept suggesting that I try on various dresses, but my energy was waning, and I didn't want to spoil the excitement of him seeing me in my wedding gown for the first time on our actual wedding day. So, I politely declined."Don't we have other designs?" he inquired, turning to the boutique attendant."Sir, if you're not satisfied with our current selection, you can choose from a virtual catalog, and we'll tailor it to your preferences," she suggested."That's a great idea!" Vincenzo's eyes lit up with excitement. "Why didn't you mention that earlier? I want something that can match the beauty of my wife."The boutique attendant glanced at me, and I couldn't help but feel like a