Annizah sat in the dimly lit hospital room, her eyes fixed on the steady rise and fall of Fiore’s chest. The soft beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound that filled the silence. It had been a long three weeks since the incident, and though Fiore had recovered physically, the emotional scars were harder to gauge. Annizah’s heart ached just watching her daughter sleep, knowing the toll their world was beginning to take on her.Leaning back in the stiff hospital chair, Annizah exhaled deeply, her mind racing with thoughts she hadn’t fully processed until now. For years, she had been grateful—truly grateful—for the life she’d built. Coming from a modest background and marrying into the powerful Romanov family had been a whirlwind of changes. But Vincenzo… he had been her rock, her protector, and their love had felt unshakable. She had thought, perhaps naively, that with him by her side, everything would be okay.But now, as she sat there, the weight of their reality pressed down
PROLOGUEI found myself gazing at the crowd, bewildered by the unfamiliar surroundings. How did I land in a place like this? Each person was adorned in exquisite dresses and sharp suits, radiating an innate elegance. It seemed as if grace and sophistication were second nature to everyone present.I wore a light blue backless dress, with my hair up in a tight bun and just a bit of makeup. It made me feel like a completely different person. My parents were busy chatting with some important people, not paying attention to me at all. I couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place in the fancy crowd."I see you've got a beautiful lady right here," an old man remarked, a smile playing on his face as his gaze rested on me. Uncomfortable, I couldn't help but avert my eyes. The way he looked at me sent shivers down my spine, yet my parents remained oblivious, seemingly turning a blind eye to the situation."Ah, yes, of course. This is our daughter, Annizah," my dad chimed in, placing a han
I don’t know what happened next. It happened so quick before I could even process it. The last thing I knew, I was inside his limousine, and we’re actually driving back to his place.To say I was scared is probably an understatement. After my parents talked to him, my mother ensured that an agreement about our wedding was made, pushing me to go with him instead of returning home.I casted a glance at him. He was leaning on the backrest with his eyes closed. His throat and Adam’s apple were exposed. His slicked hair has somehow lost its neatness and was now disheveled. He looked at peace, as if he wasn’t just about to ruin my life. However, despite that unfortunate fact, I couldn’t deny how attractive he was. He didn’t look like one of those guys I’ve ever seen. He was taller, more masculine, and goddamn hot.But then again, looks can be sometimes deceiving.Vicenzo isn’t someone I can trust my life upon. Although I am destined to marry him, that didn’t give me the full assurance that
I was escorted by a maid towards the room I’ll be staying at in this mansion. I was still shaking from shock and fear from what happened. I was terrified to say the least, and I couldn’t even bring myself to bat an eye as I was conscious about my surrounding. I feel like at my given moment, someone’s gonna jump and attack me.“Here, have some milk, miss,” a middle-aged woman said as she handed me a cup of warm milk. I accepted it with reluctance. She gave me a soft, kind smile. “My name is Arcel, and I’ve been working here for quite some time now. Master has never brought a woman home before, so we were all so thrilled to finally be meeting you, miss Annizah,” she said.I couldn’t help but to flinch. Not only did place felt scary, but the people were also oddly kind to be working in a place like this. I glanced at Arcel. She looked to be around her late twenties, with enough knowledge and experience to not be oblivious about what’s happening. And for that reason, I felt more scared th
My breath came in labored, heavy gasps as I watched him lift his shirt. His muscles flexed with each movement, drawing my attention. His body was rugged and disproportionately large, muscles in all the right places. Heat flushed through me uncontrollably, igniting my entire being.Vicenzo held my face, his gaze piercing, as if I were nothing more than prey in his eyes. "Listen to me, bellezza," he whispered. "I own you, baby. And I won't let you go. Not now, not ever."Through gritted teeth, I asked, "W-Why are you doing this?""Because you belong to me.""Don’t be absurd! Nobody owns me!" I yelled, frustration and anger bubbling up, but he only tightened his grip on my face, causing me to wince in pain."I do," he hissed, his glare intense, but it quickly softened into a smile. "You are mine, and I'll always ensure it stays that way. Do you understand?"Shivers ran down my spine as I observed the emotions flickering across his face. There was no denying it; Vicenzo was disturbed."Ju
It had been a few days—I couldn't even recall how many had passed; everything had happened so swiftly, like a whirlwind. Now, I found myself once again staring at the walls of the room I was confined to.To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. My mind was a mess, and my emotions were all over the place. Who wouldn’t be frustrated? My parents had essentially sold me off to marry a mobster without even consulting me. Vincenzo Romanov was a lunatic, and yes, he was filthy rich, but my parents... really?Though they weren't my biological parents, I had considered them my own. I had agreed to this whole setup under the impression that I would be helping them broaden their connections and influence. I had no idea I would be marrying into the mafia.Now, my life was completely upended before I even realized it.Especially after what happened between Vincenzo and I.Suddenly, flashes of what had happened a couple of nights ago flooded my mind.“…I-I… I want you.”He looked at me d
Two days had passed since we last saw each other, and I was relieved, to say the least, not to have to see his face. To be honest, I was still afraid. His words had sent a chill down my spine, serving as a stark reminder of the power he held over me. Despite my defiance, I knew better than to underestimate him.With a sigh, I acknowledged his warning, though internally, my determination only strengthened. I was determined to find a way to break free from his control, no matter the cost. Though I didn’t yet know how, I was resolved to escape from him.A knock at the door caught my attention, and I frowned as Arcel's face peeked in."What? I already ate my breakfast," I said defensively."I apologize for interrupting your alone time, miss, but Master has called for you to have lunch together in the garden," Arcel explained.I stiffened at the mere mention of him. What could be his reason for inviting me to lunch after not talking to me for two days? I really despised him.Despite my rel
I stared at him, wide-eyed, my mind was still grappling with the absurd words that came out of his mouth. My heart was pounding in my chest like a drum as I sweat with cold, my lips were trembling while my fingers were fidgeting on my lap. “It’s as simple as that. It’s not that hard, you see,” he said casually, as if killing a person, your very own father at that, isn’t a big of a deal. He is absolutely, without a doubt, a psychopath. My mind reeled at his audacious demand, the words echoing in my head like a thunderous clap. "Just, what the… fuck?" I blurted out, unable to conceal my shock and disbelief. Vicenzo leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched my reaction with amusement. "Easy, isn't it?" he replied, his tone chillingly calm. "Consider it your initiation into the family." I struggled to process his words, my mind racing with disbelief and horror. This wasn't what I had signed up for, and the realization that I was now entangled in a world of vi
Annizah sat in the dimly lit hospital room, her eyes fixed on the steady rise and fall of Fiore’s chest. The soft beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound that filled the silence. It had been a long three weeks since the incident, and though Fiore had recovered physically, the emotional scars were harder to gauge. Annizah’s heart ached just watching her daughter sleep, knowing the toll their world was beginning to take on her.Leaning back in the stiff hospital chair, Annizah exhaled deeply, her mind racing with thoughts she hadn’t fully processed until now. For years, she had been grateful—truly grateful—for the life she’d built. Coming from a modest background and marrying into the powerful Romanov family had been a whirlwind of changes. But Vincenzo… he had been her rock, her protector, and their love had felt unshakable. She had thought, perhaps naively, that with him by her side, everything would be okay.But now, as she sat there, the weight of their reality pressed down
It had been three weeks since the incident, and Fiore was finally starting to recover from the shock. Her bright, lively spirit had returned, though Annizah couldn’t shake the lingering worry. Every few days, Fiore’s heart condition was checked, and she was on a strict regimen of medications and vitamins. The doctors assured them that everything was under control, but the weight of it all still sat heavily on Annizah’s chest.Annizah sat by the window of their mansion, watching Fiore play in the garden with her cousin. The sun was shining brightly, casting a soft golden glow over her daughter’s playful figure, but Annizah’s mind was far from at ease. She had been distant from Isabelle lately, avoiding any deep conversations or meetups. It wasn’t out of anger, but rather a necessity to protect herself and her family. She couldn’t look at Isabelle without thinking about the betrayal of her brother, and each time she felt the heavy stone of guilt in her chest.She had learned to harden h
When Annizah stepped into the dimly lit room at Vincenzo's headquarters, the air was thick with tension. The atmosphere felt heavy, almost suffocating. She wasn’t sure what she expected when Vincenzo told her to come, but it certainly wasn’t this.Vincenzo’s men stood around the room, their faces impassive yet tense. In the center sat a man tied to a chair, his head hanging low. Annizah’s eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim light, and then, with a sudden, sickening clarity, she recognized him.It wasn’t just any man.It was Isabelle’s younger brother.Her heart dropped into her stomach. Her breath hitched as disbelief washed over her like a wave. “Vincenzo…” she whispered, her voice catching in her throat.Vincenzo stood a few feet away, watching her closely, his expression unreadable. “Annizah,” he said, his tone careful but firm, “this is him.”“No…” Annizah shook her head, her mind reeling. She took a step forward, her gaze locked on the bruised and battered man in the chair. “
Annizah sat by the side of Fiore’s hospital bed, her eyes locked on her daughter’s small frame. Fiore’s chest rose and fell gently, her face peaceful in sleep, but the silence weighed heavily on Annizah’s heart. She had been awake for hours, watching, waiting—worry gnawing at her insides. Fiore had woken up earlier, only to refuse to speak or even acknowledge them. That single moment had sent Annizah spiraling into a quiet panic.The doctor had reassured them that Fiore’s heart was stable, that the episode was under control. But this—this silence, this refusal to engage—was something no medication could fix.A light knock on the door broke her trance. Isabelle stepped into the room with Marco and Randi following behind her. Isabelle’s face softened with sympathy as she approached Annizah, who gave a weak smile in return.“Hey, I hope we’re not disturbing,” Isabelle said, her voice gentle.“No, not at all. She’s just... sleeping,” Annizah whispered, her gaze flicking back to Fiore, sti
The sterile atmosphere of the VVIP room inside their hospital was cold and unnervingly silent. Vincenzo sat rigid in the plush chair next to Fiore's bed, his hand gripping his daughter's small one. Annizah stood by the window, her face pale with exhaustion and worry, glancing out into the night, though her mind was far from the view.The doctor, a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor, entered the room, breaking the suffocating silence. He looked at the couple, sensing the heavy tension in the air."Mr. and Mrs. Romanov," the doctor began, his voice steady, "the good news is that Fiore's condition has stabilized. The episode she experienced earlier was caused by a sudden surge of panic, which led to an unstable heart rhythm. Fortunately, it's not life-threatening, but given her pre-existing condition, it can be alarming. With proper rest and medication, she will recover fully."Vincenzo nodded, his eyes fixed on Fiore, still lying unconscious in the bed. He hadn’t let go of her hand sin
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
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
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
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