My relationship with Vincenzo, though, started badly, but it was never that bad if I were to recall it. He never raised a hand on me, and never deprived me of anything. He also spoiled me with everything that I wanted. Whilst our relationship wasn't any more ordinary than normal couples, upon thinking about it, he was such a husband material.He may be cold, but he never demanded of me anything that he knew I wouldn't want, and even if he did, he always asked my opinion first.So, why? Why did I hate him that much? Perhaps, it could be the fact that he never really tells me about his past. Ella, his family, his background—these were all topics that he had kept hidden from me, I mean, he didn't have to, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt a sense of betrayal gnawing at my heart.As I reflected on our relationship, I couldn't ignore the hurt I felt knowing that Vincenzo had chosen to keep significant parts of his life hidden from me. While our marriage may not have begun wi
My eyes widened as my heart pounded with fear, the cold metal against my head sending shivers down my spine. Every muscle in my body tensed with shock as I struggled to process the gravity of the situation."Come with me," the man's voice cut through the silence, his tone leaving no room for argument.Tears welled up in my eyes as a sense of helplessness washed over me. My mind raced with questions and scenarios, but fear paralyzed me, rendering me incapable of coherent thought or action.As the stranger's command hung in the air, a flurry of questions raced through my mind. Where was Vincenzo? Was he safe? Why was this stranger targeting me?Panic threatened to overwhelm me as I struggled to make sense of the situation. Was Vincenzo in danger too? Had something happened to him on the balcony? Or was this some kind of orchestrated attack?“Faster!” the man said through gritted teeth. The urgency in the stranger's voice snapped me back to the present as he pressed the tip of the gun ag
"Please, be careful," Vincenzo uttered seriously, his brows furrowing with concern as he watched me run towards his direction.We were already back in the mansion after the incident in Maldives. Luna and I were running in the living room, her playful barks and bites of my dress filling the air with joy. Each time she nipped at the fabric, I couldn't help but giggle, the sound echoing through the room.As I approached Vincenzo, I slowed down to catch my breath, my heart still racing from the exhilaration of the chase. "I will, Enzo," I promised, giving him a reassuring smile. "But Luna and I are just having some fun."Vincenzo's expression softened momentarily, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes as he observed Luna and me play. "Just be careful," he repeated, his tone serious but tinged with a hint of concern. "I don't want anything to happen to you."I couldn't help but roll my eyes playfully at his words. "You're too anxious. Loosen up!" I teased, a mischievous grin tugging at
Since the incident, Vincenzo has become even more protective, intensifying the security measures around the mansion. His schedule has grown busier as he deals with the aftermath, overseeing investigations and ensuring our safety.At times, it feels as though his attention is divided, torn between his responsibilities and his desire to keep me safe. Yet, even amidst his hectic schedule, he always finds moments to check in on me, his presence a source of comfort in the midst of uncertainty.Despite the added stress and workload, Vincenzo remains steadfast in his commitment to our well-being. And while his increased busyness can be overwhelming, I find reassurance in knowing that he is doing everything in his power to protect us.I didn't expect Katana to visit here. The first and last time we saw each other was at the annual gathering in the Romanov estate, and yes, in the wedding as well. But it was just a brief meeting. As usual, she looked stunning. Her emotionless blue eyes, remini
“What does she mean by that?” I asked Vincenzo as we made our way to our room, his expression etched with a deep frown.“A first-born child, specifically a male, is expected to be introduced and raised by the elders of the Romanov family,” he explained, his voice tinged with contempt.“Raised by the elders?” I questioned, feeling a sense of unease creeping over me.“Yes, raised and trained,” Vincenzo affirmed with a grim nod. “Trained to defend the family, trained to uphold the power of the Romanovs.”"In other words, trained to be a cold-blooded killer," Vincenzo added, his voice grave.My heart skipped a beat at his words, a chill running down my spine. The gravity of his statement weighed heavily on me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread at the thought of bringing a child into such a ruthless world."But... but that's..." I trailed off, unable to find the right words to articulate my horror.Vincenzo's jaw clenched as he glanced at me, his eyes dark with resignation. "Th
"Congratulations, ma'am," Arcel exclaimed, her smile radiant as she brushed my hair behind me while I sat facing the vanity mirror."Thank you," I replied, unable to contain my happiness."I've been wondering for weeks if you were pregnant," she confessed. "Turns out, my intuition was right.""Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, curious."I didn't want to make any assumptions that might upset you," Arcel explained sincerely.I chuckled softly, feeling a sense of innocence in my lack of experience with pregnancy. Despite my education, I had never been in a position to discern the signs of pregnancy in others. I had never engaged with expecting mothers or heard their stories about the journey of carrying a child. The absence of conversations with my biological mother about her experience of carrying me for nine months added to my unfamiliarity with pregnancy."So, am I that obvious?" I queried, my tone laced with curiosity.Arcel shook her head gently, her eyes warm with understanding. "N
As we pulled up to my adoptive parents' place, I felt a knot twist in my stomach. The big mansion stood there, casting a shadow over the grounds. Memories from my childhood came rushing back, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease.As the car stopped, I hesitated before stepping out onto the driveway. My mother got out, and I followed her lead up the stairs and through the doors. The familiar smell hit me, triggering memories of my past."Welcome back home, Miss,” my maid, who's already in her 60s said with a warm smile on her face.I nodded in response, a mix of nostalgia and discomfort swirling inside me. Despite everything, this place still had a strange sense of familiarity.“Lead her to her room,” my mom instructed, her voice cutting through the awkward silence.I followed my mom's instructions and allowed myself to be led to my old room. As I stepped inside, memories flooded back, both good and bad. The room looked exactly as I remembered it, with its faded wallpaper and old
As we entered the conference hall, the ambient chatter dwindled to hushed whispers as all eyes turned towards us. My parents led the way, their confident strides echoing in the vast space, while I followed closely behind, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension."Ladies and gentlemen," my father's voice boomed through the hall, commanding attention. "Allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Annizah Romanov."The room erupted into whispers and murmurs as the name registered with the audience. I felt a wave of unease wash over me as I realized the implications of being associated with the powerful Romanov family. People's expressions ranged from awe to fear, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort at the attention.As the conference progressed, I quickly realized that my newfound status as the wife of Vincenzo Romanov was being exploited by those around me. Men approached me with false smiles and flattering words, their eyes glinting with greed as they sought to gain
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