POV Andrew I open the message left at the mansion's door calmly. The paper is a bit damp from the rain, but still legible. Written on it: “Andrew, be careful.” What the heck is this? Who left this here? Is it a threat or a warning? I couldn't grasp the underlying message. I head to security, approaching quickly while still holding the paper in my hand. “Who left this here?” I ask, displaying the note. “We don't know, sir. We didn't see anyone suspicious.” “Someone left this here. Check the cameras. Fast.” The man, as massive as a door and one of my most trusted guards, literally goes to the door and checks the cameras. I had an extensive surveillance system throughout the mansion, in every corner except bedrooms and bathrooms. I did it for my safety and everyone else's. My father was obsessed with this. I guess I inherited that trait, through exposure, of course. “Sir, there's nothing,” he said. “How can there be nothing? They left this here,” I said, indignant. “Actually,
POV Andrew In that tense moment, my thoughts turned to Emma and a simpler time. It was as if I could feel the warm sunshine of our childhood, my mother's laughter echoing in the distance, and my father watching from the edge of the pool with his trusty cigar in hand. We had so many dreams back then, and she was always my pillar, my strength. I remember the days at the beach, her building sandcastles while I tried to be the fearless knight she admired. My mother always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. Everything was simpler back then. And now I was. Also, the image of Emma smiling gave me strength, that sweet, comforting smile that lit up any darkness. It was for her that I was there, fighting, even in the face of my uncle, an enemy who knew my every weakness. The past now blended with the present, each memory pushing me to resist his provocation, to remain calm in the face of his acidic words. Emma was there, trapped by his insanity. I couldn't fail, I cou
POV Andrew After the gunshot, was I dead? Had I been shot? My arm was bleeding profusely, but I managed to turn my head to see what had happened and who had fired. I couldn't think very well, my body was burning as if with chills. When I managed to turn around, there was Lorenzo with the gun pointed at me and my uncle on the ground. He had managed to hit my uncle. I tried to get up but couldn't. I seemed to be hallucinating. His greenish eyes came into my mind. “Emma,” I groaned in pain as I put my hand on my arm. I feel a wave of pain run through my body, but the focus isn't on me. It's on Emma. Every movement feels like a battle, but determination keeps me on my feet, however shakily. Lorenzo comes to my aid, his face exuding concern. I feel a tightness in my chest at the sight of him so distressed for me. He advises me to go to the hospital, but the thought of leaving Emma alone and at the mercy of that bastard disturbs me more than the physical pain I feel. “We have t
POV EmmaI wake up in an unfamiliar place. I stare at the ceiling in the hope of understanding where I am, but my head spins as I try to see my surroundings.Memories and flashbacks invade my mind instantly. I remember lying on the bed of that damned captivity, feeling my legs, stomach and whole body ache, trying to call for help, but to no avail, they didn't care.My blurred vision showed that I wasn't well and was going to fall. Suddenly, everything went completely dark. And I don't remember anything.“Emma,” I hear a voice echo. I start to regain consciousness and look around again, it's a hospital room.“Ize?” I stared at her. I… What happened?“Andrew rescued you, and we brought you to the hospital. Are you all right?” His words have a tone of concern.“I feel better. But everything feels weird, my body hurts.“Everything will be fine. Sister. I won't explain too much now, first you need to rest and take it all in, you've spent many days dehydrated and eating badly, that worm An
POV EmmaAfter two long days under observation, I was discharged. I still wasn't feeling fully recovered, but I was grateful to be out of that captivity where I was condemned to death.Andrew entered the room while I was putting on a dress and approached me quickly.“Let me help you, don't strain yourself,” he said, helping me put on my blouse.“No need to exaggerate,” I smiled weakly, “I'm fine, I swear.We looked at each other, and he moved closer, facing me and holding my hands gently.“You've been through so much. I just want to, and I promise I'll do my best to make it up to you,” he assures me. “Thank you for saving me and risking your life for me, for us. “I stroke my belly into shape.”“I've done no more than a man should do, Emma. And I want to be a good man, a good father to this baby.”“What happened to him… Well, your uncle.”“He's seven feet off the ground, anyway,” he said good-natured.” But I don't want to talk about this, the driver is waiting for us, we're going home
EmmaReturning to the mansion and setting foot in it is strange and exciting, I admit, my heart freezing as I remember so many things I've been through there. “It's okay, I have a surprise for you. “Andrew says, comforting me.“It's okay, I'm just a bit traumatized”.After that crazy sex in the limousine, nothing else was going through my mind, I admit. It was all I could think about. When we entered the mansion, I was startled. Gian, Ize and Lorenzo were waiting for me with a surprise party. There was a cake and some decorations celebrating my return.“Guys, I can't believe it,” tears ran down my cheeks. “Did you like it?" Andrew asks. "Of course, I never thought I'd get this." I said, still emotional. I hugged everyone, and out of nowhere I heard a voice."Emma."I'd recognize that voice anywhere in the world. It was my father. I turned around and felt the tears coming again. I couldn't believe he was here. It was unbelievable, really. "That's the surprise I've been talking a
POV Andrew Dealing with the return of my adoptive mother left me with a rollercoaster of feelings. I can't deny that for years I harbored feelings of anger and resentment, thinking that she had abandoned us, leaving me with a void. Now, discovering that she had been through so much, left me completely stunned.As she entered the mansion, I could sense the nervousness that was consuming me. Her presence was a constant reminder of the truths I preferred to leave in the past. I wasn't sure how to react, whether to hug her or simply walk away.Sensing the tension in the room, I decided to take a sip of my whiskey to calm my nerves. The crystal glass, cool to the touch, seemed to offer some comfort in the midst of the storm of emotions that was raging inside me.She approached slowly, her expression worried, and leaned over, perhaps to get something from her handbag. My hands automatically squeezed the glass, a way of disguising the anxiety that was growing inside me.Her every move was a
POV EmmaThings finally seemed to be falling into place, despite all the turmoil and confusion that had plagued my life recently. So I hoped. We organized a quick dinner for everyone. Sitting at the table, a special wine that I was waiting to open on the counter, the food served was pasta.The waitress served us and left.“Thank you, Clara,” I said.Still, there was a strange atmosphere. I knew that my mother could have chosen another way and not left us. Her three biological children, and one adopted, me. But sometimes not every mistake can have a consequence, and I know that she made a mistake trying to get it right. I believe that her mistake only deserves forgiveness. I think we all make mistakes and failures, especially me.“This food is wonderful,” said my mother, taking a bite. Emma, you mean you and Andrew are going to be parents.“Yes, you're going to be a grandfather,” Emma said.“It's all so confusing, we're all your children,” Ize smiled.“I'm adopted, Ize,” I say wryly