If ever you encounter mistakes or confusions, pls do inform me as sometimes I tend to forget whether or not have I already updated, write this scene, and so on and so forth. My schedule is hectic so I hope you guys will understand and be considerate. Thanks♥️
I awoke with a terrible headache; my vison was spinning as I tried to get up from the bed. Later that day I realized I had a fever. Arcel stayed beside me all throughout. She tended to my needs and fed me until I was feeling a little better. It was probably because I slept late last night after the incident with Vincenzo. I wasn’t able to sleep peacefully because my mind keep going back and forth to the conversation I had with him. Later in the day, just as I started to drift into a restless slumber, the door creaked open, and Vincenzo entered the room without a word. His cold and distant demeanor was as palpable as ever. He stood there, a silent observer of my weakened state, his eyes giving nothing away. The air in the room shifted, becoming heavy with tension. I could feel the weight of his presence, a reminder of the unresolved issues between us. "I heard you were unwell," he finally spoke, his tone detached. "Arcel seems to be taking good care of you." I shot him a sharp look
I stared down at the ring adorning my finger, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions. Vincenzo's sudden gesture had caught me off guard, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and speechless. It hadn't been long since he assured me of our impending marriage, yet the sight of the ring seemed to solidify his decision, as if there were no room for doubt or hesitation.In less than two weeks, he had decided that we would be wed. The realization sent a shiver down my spine, reminding me of the lack of control I had over my own fate. No matter what decision Vincenzo made, I had no right to refuse.But was it all too much? If he were simply using me as a pawn in his game to make Ella jealous, then why go to the trouble of giving me a ring? And if he truly intended to marry me, then why give me a token of commitment when my consent was irrelevant?The questions swirled in my mind, each one more unsettling than the last. I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach as I grappled with the uncertainty of
He pulled me a seat. I took my seat, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at Vincenzo's gallant gesture. Instead, I politely thanked him. He returned a charming smile, clearly teasing me. As the waiter approached to take our orders, Vincenzo leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on mine. "What would you like, bellezza?" he inquired smoothly. I hesitated, torn between maintaining my ego or letting it slide just this once. Eventually, I chose the latter. "I'll have whatever you're having," I replied, attempting to keep my tone neutral. He raised an eyebrow, a smirk dancing on his lips. "As you wish," he murmured, diverting his attention back to the waiter. Despite my initial frustration, I found myself yielding to his choice without protest. "We'll be picking your dress," he announced abruptly in the midst of our meal. I lifted my gaze to meet his, holding his eyes for a moment before the realization sank in. "You're actually serious about marrying me?" I asked, my tone surprising
I still don’t know what’s going on in his mind. He’s unpredictable and almost out of reach. I cannot figure out what his next move is, he’s such a mystery to me that no matter how I dig in order to unravel the answer behind it.I watched as he cleaned up the table after we finished eating. His movement didn’t even make a single sound. He may be a jerk, but there's no denying his undeniable charm and rugged good looks. With each movement, his muscles flexed in all the right places, accentuating his masculine physique. And then there were his eyes, piercing and captivating, making me crane my neck just to meet his gaze. Despite his less-than-stellar personality, I couldn't help but be drawn to him. He possessed all the qualities that make a man irresistible—tall, handsome, and oozing with confidence. Not to mention his wealth and intellect, making him a desirable catch by anyone's standards. But for all his outward perfection, there was one crucial flaw—his emotional intelligence left
I settled onto the bed, wrapped snugly in the soft folds of a crisp white shower robe, while he stood behind me, meticulously blow-drying my hair. The gentle hum of the dryer filled the room, creating a soothing backdrop to our conversation. "I don't get why you're going all out for this," I murmured, the words slipping out almost involuntarily. "You're my bride," he replied, his tone steady and unwavering. "Yeah, but you don't have to go to all this trouble," I insisted, my voice carrying a bitter edge tinged with sadness. I couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath his gestures, what deeper motivation drove him to such lengths. "There's gotta be another reason. What's really going on?" As the words hung in the air, I felt a familiar wave of bitterness wash over me. It was overwhelming, this level of care and attention. It stirred up feelings of inadequacy and discomfort, emotions I wasn't quite prepared to confront. Guilt gnawed at me, a relentless reminder that perhaps I didn't
"What are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice laced with a mix of anger and jealousy that caught me off guard.Their gaze snapped to me, and I could feel the tension crackling in the air as our eyes met. The woman's expression shifted, her eyes narrowing inquisitively as she regarded me, as if trying to place where I fit into the picture.I felt a surge of frustration and insecurity bubbling up inside me. Was she questioning my presence here? Insulting me with her silent scrutiny?Clamping my fists tightly, I fought to suppress the rising tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Standing my ground, I awaited her response with a mixture of defiance and trepidation, determined not to let her undermine me."Who are you?" she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness, a stark contrast to the turmoil churning within me.Her question only fueled the flames of my anger, intensifying the boiling fury coursing through my veins. My rationality was drowned out by the overwhelming surge of
The aftermath of the confrontation in Vincenzo's penthouse weighed heavily on my mind as we returned to the mansion. Despite everything appearing normal on the surface, I couldn't shake the memories of that morning. It was like they were etched into my brain, refusing to fade away.Every detail of the encounter seemed crystal clear, as if it had just happened moments ago. Seeing Ella, feeling the tension in the air, the surge of anger and betrayal—it all felt so vivid, like it was happening again right in front of me.What hurt the most was realizing that Vincenzo hadn't considered how bringing me to that penthouse might affect me. The fact that it held significance for him and Ella only made it worse. It felt like he didn't care about my feelings, like he didn't respect me.I felt insulted, wounded in a way that cut deep. It was a blow to my pride as a woman, a reminder of where I stood in his world.As we settled back into life at the mansion, the resentment lingered. No matter how
“You may hurt my feelings again and again, but you can’t just go below the belt and insult me every time you want to,” I continued, my voice laced with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. “I would never do such a thing,” he said through gritted teeth, his clod blue eyes staring back at me. I gave him a dry chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief. “Screw you, Mr. Romanov,” I spat. Does he really think he can keep fooling me? One minute we’re okay, and before I knew it, he was back to his old self. He doesn’t care, and he’s not capable of loving someone, not even to himself. “You think you can just play with people's emotions and get away with it?” His nostrils flared, a flicker of anger flashing across his features. “Don’t push me, Annizah,” he warned, his voice low and dangerous. “Oh, what are you going to do?” I shot back, my stubbornness fueling my defiance. “Yell at me some more? Make excuses for your behavior?” His grip on my arm tightened, his frustration palpable. “You have n
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