The silence enveloped us like a heavy blanket as we sat in Vincenzo's sleek black car, the hum of the engine providing the only sound in the dimly lit interior. I stole a glance at him, noting the tension in his shoulders and the furrow in his brow. His normally immaculate appearance was slightly disheveled, a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor."Are you okay?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper. His cold blue eyes flickered towards me briefly before returning to the road ahead, his expression unreadable.We stopped at a red light, the silence stretching between us like an unbreakable barrier. I fidgeted nervously in my seat, feeling the weight of his gaze upon me."Why did you allow them to mistreat you like that?" he finally spoke, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "You're no longer their child, Annizah. You're my wife, a Romanov, and you deserve respect."His words struck me like a blow to the chest, and tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm sor
I woke up to the dull ache throbbing on my cheek, a harsh reminder of the argument with my mother the previous day. The sheets beside me were empty, and a pang of loneliness washed over me as I realized Vincenzo was nowhere to be seen.Dragging myself out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom, the warm water from the shower providing some relief to my tense muscles. As I stood under the steady stream, my mind drifted back to the conversation I had with Vincenzo the night before. Despite the tension, there had been moments of tenderness that still lingered in my heart.Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and made my way downstairs to the kitchen, where Arcel was already bustling about preparing breakfast. The smell of coffee and eggs filled the air, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of hunger."Morning, ma'am," Arcel greeted me with a warm smile as she set a plate of food in front of me. "How did you sleep?"I nodded in response, offering her a small smile as I tu
As I paced back and forth in our bedroom, the weight of the situation bore down on me like a heavy burden. My heart ached with the realization that Vincenzo had acted without considering my feelings or opinions, leaving me feeling powerless and unheard.I sank onto the edge of the bed, my mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. How could he have overlooked the respect and admiration I held for my adoptive parents, despite the pain they had caused me in the past? Didn't he understand that their livelihood was intertwined with my own history and identity?A wave of frustration washed over me as I grappled with the sense of betrayal that gnawed at my insides. Tears welled in my eyes as I struggled to make sense of it all. Did my opinion truly hold no weight in his eyes? desires?I clenched my fists in frustration, the turmoil of conflicting emotions threatening to consume me. Was this the beginning of the end for us?"Bellezza," I heard his voice outside the door. He entered the room
After the appointment, we went to see our first child, Luna, eager to share the news with her. Our Shih Tzu greeted us with excited barks and wagging tail, her playful energy contagious.In the backyard, we lost track of time, engrossed in playing with Luna, who gleefully chased after her favorite toy. Laughter filled the air as we watched her bound around, her tail wagging in pure delight. In that moment, the weight of our worries and uncertainties seemed to vanish, replaced by a sense of genuine happiness and contentment that the news had brought us.As Luna pattered over, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, I scooped her into my arms and settled onto the grass, her warm fur against my skin comforting me. With a soft smile, I began to share the news with her, knowing that even if she couldn't understand my words, her presence offered a comforting presence."Luna," I murmured, scratching behind her ears as she nestled against me, "guess what? You're going to have a little brother or s
Things have been going well for Vincenzo and I for the next few weeks. It's so refreshing to be completely relaxed around him, not worrying about anything because I know he's always there with me.Pregnancy really did me a thing. I couldn't even get a wink of sleep because I would always feel nauseous, or hungry. Sometimes, I get so emotional, and it's a rollercoaster of experience for me as a first time mother, who ironically didn't have a mother of her own.I am just so glad Vincenzo is always there to support me through it all. He's been incredibly understanding and patient, taking care of me in ways I never thought possible. From bringing me my favorite snacks at odd hours to holding me close when the emotions overwhelm me, he's been my rock through it all.Despite the challenges of pregnancy, there's a sense of excitement and anticipation that fills the air whenever I think about the little one growing inside me. The thought of becoming a mother is both thrilling and terrifying,
"Feeling alright?" Vincenzo inquired softly as we paused by the entrance to the dining area. I mustered a faint smile, nodding in response. "Yeah, j-just a bit worn out." The truth was, ever since becoming pregnant, I'd noticed a shift in my energy levels and sensitivity. I didn’t want him to worry and cause a chaos over such a trivial stuff so I didn’t tell him that. "Let's grab a seat," I urged, feeling the weight of curious gazes from his family members. We made our way to the lengthy dining table, where his relatives were already seated. As we took our seats, the atmosphere in the room seemed to tense up a notch. I could feel the weight of their scrutiny, each pair of eyes assessing us with varying degrees of curiosity and judgment. For some reason, my heart began to thump fast. It wasn’t the first time I'd met them, nor was it the first introduction, but I felt unusually anxious. Perhaps it was because I felt out of place, like I didn't belong among such sophistication. “Vinc
As the pain in my stomach intensified, I clung tightly to Vincenzo, tears streaming down my cheeks as waves of stress and anxiety washed over me. My mind raced with a thousand possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. What if I lose my child? The thought echoed through my mind, sending shivers down my spine. The fear of the unknown gripped me tightly, threatening to suffocate me with its overwhelming presence. Ever since I was young, all I ever wanted was a family of my own—a family that I could build with my own hands and heart. I dreamed of carrying a child of my own, nurturing them, and watching them grow into someone I could proudly call family. But as the moments slip by, that dream feels farther and farther out of reach. “N-No… please, Enzo…” I whispered through tears, my voice trembling with fear. “My b-baby…” “Hush, we'll be fine,” he said, his voice soft and reassuring, but I could hear the undercurrent of worry that mirrored my own. Despite his attempt to comfort
Later that day, I realized the severe ache stemmed from the stress and anxiety I'd been under. It was a wake-up call to prioritize self-care and manage my emotions for the sake of my health and our baby's well-being. I was seriously stressing after Vincenzo dropped that bomb about his family's tradition. The whole idea just hit me like a ton of bricks. I mean, seriously, the last thing I want is for my kid to go through the same sufferings he did. It's like, why would anyone even think that's an okay way to raise a child? It's not just messed up; it's downright torture in my book. Like, who wants to grow up all emotionless and icy, without a drop of love or attention? That's just too harsh, man. Even though I've come to terms with the inevitable reality of stepping up as the next head of the Romanov mafia, the idea of some innocent kid having to endure all that suffering solo just to keep the family business running for generations? No way. I'm putting my foot down on that one. And I
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