The kitchen was filled with a quiet, intimate warmth. Annizah adjusted Vincenzo's tie, her fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary. She looked up into his eyes, seeing the deep worry etched into his face. He asked her softly, “Do you ever regret marrying me?” Her heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She cupped his face in her hands, her voice firm and full of love. “I’d regret it if I hadn’t even met someone like you,” she said, her eyes searching his. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Vincenzo.” They kissed, a tender moment that spoke of their shared strength and resolve. But as their lips parted, a loud bang echoed through the house, shattering the peaceful silence. Annizah's heart leaped into her throat. Vincenzo instinctively moved in front of her, shielding her and their daughter. The door burst open, and there stood Baltazar, flanked by armed men. The shock was evident in Vincenzo’s eyes as he locked gazes with his right-hand man. “So, it wa
The cold, damp air was biting against Vincenzo’s face as he slowly regained consciousness. His head pounded mercilessly, and his vision was a disorienting blur. Blinking several times, he tried to adjust to the dim light filtering through a high, narrow window. The room was barren, save for the old wooden chair to which he was bound. His wrists and ankles were tightly secured with coarse rope, the fibers digging into his skin with every movement. The remnants of last night’s fierce struggle left his body aching, but the burning anger and frustration were what drove him now. A creaking sound drew his attention. The door to the room swung open, and the echo of footsteps grew louder. The silhouette of a man appeared in the sliver of light, and Vincenzo’s heart skipped a beat when he recognized the figure. Baltazar, his eyes cold and calculating, stood before him. The sight of his half-brother stirred a mixture of rage and resolve within Vincenzo. Baltazar smirked, crossing his arms and
Vincenzo's mind drifted in and out of consciousness. Pain radiated from every part of his body, the bruises and cuts from his previous beatings now multiplied. His head throbbed with a dull, relentless ache, and his muscles screamed in protest with every slight movement. The last thing he remembered before blacking out was the mocking laughter of Baltazar and the sharp sting of fists and boots against his flesh.He stirred as the lights in the room suddenly blazed to life, the harsh brightness piercing through his closed eyelids. Before he could fully open his eyes, a cold torrent of water hit him square in the face. The shock of it snapped him into full awareness. He gasped, sputtering as he tried to shake off the water. His vision cleared to reveal Baltazar standing before him, a cruel smirk playing on his lips."Good morning, brother," Baltazar sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sleep well?"Vincenzo glared at him, his jaw clenched tight. He refused to give Baltazar the sati
Annizah stirred, her head throbbing as she gradually woke up in a dim, closed room with no windows. Her vision was blurry, and her body ached from the rough handling she had endured. She tried to move, but her muscles protested, sore and bruised. As her eyes adjusted to the gloom, she saw a tray of food placed on the floor beside her. The sight of it made her stomach churn; she had no appetite in her current state. Disoriented, Annizah tried to piece together her fragmented memories. The last clear image in her mind was of her sneaking out of the safe house, armed with determination and a gun, to find Vincenzo. She had been so sure she could save him, could protect her family. But something had gone wrong. She remembered encountering some men, engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat using the skills Vincenzo had taught her. She had fought valiantly, but there were too many of them. She had taken down several before she was overwhelmed and captured. Her heart ached with the memory of
As Baltazar passed, she saw another figure join him—Ella. They stopped not far from where she hid, their voices carrying over the night air. Annizah strained to hear their conversation, every word a potential clue to her next move. “You idiot,” Ella hissed. “I told you we should kill Annizah and keep Vincenzo alive. He’s the key to everything!” Baltazar's face twisted with anger. "And I told you, we need Annizah alive. She's the leverage we have over Vincenzo. Killing her now is useless." Ella stepped closer, her eyes blazing with fury. "Leverage or not, she's a threat. I won’t let her ruin everything we've worked for. We should kill her and be done with it." Baltazar grabbed Ella’s face, his grip tight and unyielding. "Listen to me, Ella. I never accepted your help. You volunteered. So don't think for a second you can dictate how things are done. If you go against me, you’ll regret it." Ella's eyes widened with a mix of fear and defiance. She pulled away from his grasp, rubbing h
Vincenzo sat in the dim, dank room, his body aching from the brutal treatment he had endured. His wrists were raw and bloody from the ropes that had bound him, and his head pounded with a relentless throb. But despite the physical pain, his mind was sharp, focused. He was worried about Annizah, the thought of her captured and possibly hurt gnawing at him like a relentless beast. He could almost see her in his mind’s eye—her beautiful face twisted in fear, her eyes wide and searching for him. He hated the thought of her in danger, hated even more that he wasn’t by her side to protect her.But Vincenzo knew he had to remain calm, had to keep his wits about him. Panic and anger would do him no good now. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. He smirked to himself, his blue eyes glistening with a mischievous glint. He had fooled Baltazar, played the part of the scared, desperate captive perfectly. He had made himself look pathetic and broken, knowing that it would make Baltazar l
After leaving the headquarters, Vincenzo's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Baltazar’s suggestion to go home and spend time with his family had been laced with insidious intent, but Vincenzo saw through the facade. He knew he couldn’t let his guard down. Instead of heading straight home, he made a detour to his parents' house. The journey there was filled with a tension that knotted his muscles and sharpened his senses.When he arrived, the familiar sight of the house brought a fleeting sense of comfort. But this was no ordinary visit. He was here to set his plan into motion. His parents were seated in the living room, the concern evident on their faces as he entered. He took a deep breath, knowing he had to keep his composure.“I’ve figured out who he is,” Vincenzo began, his voice steady but filled with an undercurrent of rage. His parents looked at him with wide eyes, waiting for him to continue. “My half-brother. Baltazar.” He paused, letting the weight of the revelat
He adjusted the mask and checked the guard’s weapon, ensuring it was loaded. Every movement was deliberate, every action precise. Vincenzo knew he had to be careful. One misstep and everything could fall apart. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead.With the guard’s uniform and mask, Vincenzo slipped out of the room, moving with the confidence and purpose of someone who belonged there. The building was a maze of dimly lit hallways and shadowy corners. He navigated it with caution, his senses on high alert. Every sound, every movement was a potential threat.As he walked, his mind was filled with thoughts of Annizah. Was she safe? Had Baltazar captured her as he had threatened? The uncertainty gnawed at him, but he forced himself to stay focused. He couldn’t afford to be distracted, not now.The halls seemed to stretch on forever, each turn leading him deeper into the heart of the building. He passed other guards, nodding curtly, and they paid him no mind. The disgu