Annizah woke up early that morning, sunlight filtering through the thin curtains of the bedroom. She stretched her arms, her heart a little lighter after yesterday’s events. Fione had been stable, and although the looming visit to the hospital was on her mind, Annizah felt hopeful for the first time in a while. She slipped into her favorite pair of mommy jeans, which hugged her hips comfortably but left room for movement. Her light pink shirt felt soft against her skin, and the white sneakers she slipped on completed the outfit. Simple, practical—perfect for a day of errands with her daughter.She glanced at herself in the mirror. Her dark hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and though there were light shadows beneath her eyes from nights of worry, she still looked put together. Sighing, she padded out of the bedroom and made her way to the kitchen.The house was still quiet. The only sounds were the soft hum of the refrigerator and the faint rush of water coming from the bathroom, w
When Annizah and Fione arrived home after the chaotic lunch, they were greeted by the towering figure of Vincenzo, standing at the doorstep as if he had been waiting for them. His sharp green eyes softened when he saw them, especially Fione, who was still bouncing with excitement from her encounter earlier.Vincenzo crouched down to Fione’s level, his lips curling into a proud smile. "I heard what you did, my little warrior. Is it true? You took down a man with just a fork?"Fione giggled, her chest puffed out with pride. "I did, Papa! He tried to grab me, but I remembered what you taught me. I hit him in the leg, right where it hurts!"Vincenzo laughed, the deep sound filling the air. He ruffled her hair affectionately. "That's my girl. Quick thinking and strong instincts. I knew you'd be great at it."Annizah stood a few feet back, watching the interaction between father and daughter. There was a warmth to the scene, but underneath it, she couldn’t shake a feeling of unease. While it
Vincenzo had always known that his world was not meant for the weak. It wasn’t just about wealth or influence—it was about power. The kind of power that came from knowing when to strike and, more importantly, when to shield. And when it came to Fione, he needed her to be strong. No, more than that, he needed her to be invincible.Sitting in his study, he thought back to the training sessions with his daughter. She was young, yes, but already sharp. Her instincts were good, better than he had hoped for. The way she’d reacted during the incident at the restaurant had filled him with pride. She had thrown that fork with precision and confidence, hitting the man where it hurt most.But then came the familiar tug of doubt, the echo of his wife’s concerns. Annizah...She didn’t like the training. She understood why it was necessary, but the idea of their little girl learning to hurt, to defend herself in such violent ways, still unsettled her. She wanted a different life for Fione—a softer l
Annizah stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her blouse one last time before heading out. Today’s outfit was simpler, a crisp white button-down tucked neatly into a pair of high-waisted trousers. She paired it with a pair of comfortable flats and light accessories, aiming for a balance of simplicity and elegance. A delicate chain necklace rested against her collarbone, and her hair was loosely tied back in a low bun. Perfect for a family visit, she thought, grabbing her handbag.Today, she was visiting her in-laws, a somewhat routine affair but always significant in its own way. They were discussing more than just casual family matters this time—their new acquaintances, the situation with Fiore’s health, and the recent events were all on the agenda. Her mind briefly wandered to Isabelle and Marco, the unlikely new friends who had recently entered their lives. Despite their initial hesitations, both families seemed to be getting along much better than expected.As Annizah made her wa
Annizah sat stiffly in the waiting room, her fingers gripping the armrest of the chair, tapping impatiently against the cold, polished wood. She wore a soft beige sweater paired with black jeans—simple yet elegant, reflecting her usual understated style. Beside her, Vincenzo leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his expression a mixture of worry and frustration. The hospital waiting room felt sterile, filled with an oppressive silence broken only by the hum of fluorescent lights overhead.Fiore had just been taken into a room for further tests, including samplings and undergoing various machines that would assess her heart condition. Though the doctors had assured them earlier that things were looking better, the nerves still twisted in Annizah’s stomach. Her gaze flicked to Vincenzo, and she could see the tension in his jaw, his fingers flexing in and out of tight fists.“How much longer do you think this will go on?” she asked softly, breaking the silence.Vincenzo didn’t answer immed
It was the day after Fiore’s latest hospital visit, and as they arrived home, Annizah immediately felt a wave of relief wash over her. Their daughter was stable, and though the tension from the recent incidents lingered in the back of her mind, it felt good to be home. The familiar smell of their home, the soft light filtering through the windows—it all brought a sense of normalcy she had been craving.As they stepped through the door, Vincenzo stopped her in the hallway. In his hands, he held a bouquet of freshly cut lilies, their petals soft and delicate, almost as if they’d been plucked with care just for her. His eyes met hers, a glimmer of apology and tenderness shining through. He offered her the flowers with a slight bow of his head.“These are for you,” he said softly, his voice carrying a mix of affection and guilt. “I’m sorry for everything that’s happened lately.”Annizah took the bouquet, her lips twitching into a small smile as she inhaled the fragrant scent. “You don’t ne
As Vincenzo watched Annizah and Fiore drive off toward the hospital, his face hardened. He had been patient long enough, waiting for the right moment to strike. But after the incidents that had put his daughter at risk and caused his wife endless worry, that patience had run dry. This time, there would be no second chances for those who dared to cross him or his family.He stood at the entrance of their estate for a few moments, the familiar hum of the city just beginning to wake for the day. His mind, however, was focused elsewhere—on the man behind the recent threats, the stalking, the near-abduction of Fiore. They had been toying with him, with his family, but today that game ended.Vincenzo slipped into his car, the leather seats creaking under his weight as he dialed his top lieutenants. His voice was low, steady, and filled with a simmering rage.“Gather everyone. All of our best,” he said, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. “We’re going after him today.”The drive to his p
The evening was warm as Vincenzo, Annizah, and Fiore pulled up to Isabelle and Randi’s place for dinner. It had been a peaceful afternoon, but there was still an undercurrent of tension between the families. Vincenzo knew that, though the friendship between their children seemed to be growing, his relationship with Randi remained complicated. Still, tonight, he was determined to keep things light.As they stepped out of the car, Fiore’s eyes lit up. "Mommy, Daddy! I see Marco!" she exclaimed, pointing to the small boy standing at the front door."Go ahead, sweetheart," Annizah said with a smile, watching as Fiore ran toward her friend, her long hair bouncing behind her. She exchanged a quick glance with Vincenzo, who only nodded before the two followed their daughter up the path.Isabelle greeted them at the door, her smile warm and welcoming. "I'm so glad you could come! Randi’s been talking about this dinner for days."Inside, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed. Randi was alread