"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
As Vincenzo held my hand, we stepped into the new house he had bought for us. It wasn't as grand as his mansion, but it was spacious enough to accommodate us and some of hispeople. Given the constant threats to our safety, having extra security was a necessity. Yet, despite the need for heightened protection, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in our new home. This house felt different, more intimate than the mansion. It was a place where we could truly make our own, away from the shadows of Vincenzo's family business. I could sense the effort Vincenzo had put into selecting this house, fitting it to my preferences, and I couldn't help but appreciate his gesture. Sure, it may not be as extravagant as what I was accustomed to, but it felt like home in a way that the mansion never did. Here, amidst the warmth of Vincenzo's embrace and the promise of a fresh start, I knew that we could build a future together, one where we could finally be free from the chains of our past. And fo
The local grocery store was bustling with activity, families and individuals going about their day, unaware of the turbulent world we had left behind. As we navigated the aisles, I couldn't help but smile at the ordinary scenes around us. A mother scolding her child for sneaking candy into the cart, an elderly couple debating the merits of different brands of tea—these were the moments that made life feel real and tangible. "Do we need anything else from this aisle?" Vincenzo asked, glancing at the list in his hand. "Just the chocolate," I replied with a grin. "I have a craving." He chuckled and nodded. "I'll go grab it. Wait here, okay?" I watched as he walked away, his confident stride and the familiar way he moved through the store bringing a sense of comfort. I turned my attention back to the shelves, idly scanning the items as I waited. Suddenly, I felt a firm grip on my arm. Startled, I looked up to see a man standing close, his face partially hidden by a baseball cap. His g
I nodded, trusting his judgment even as my heart pounded with fear. "What should we do now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "We stay put and wait for Katana's update," Vincenzo replied, his tone firm. "In the meantime, we'll increase security around the house. I won't let anything happen to you or our baby." I watched as he made more calls, issuing orders to bolster our defenses. Despite the fear gnawing at me, Vincenzo's fierce protectiveness was a reassuring constant. Together, we would face whatever threats came our way, determined to protect our family and build the future we dreamed of. Hours later, as the tension in the house continued to mount, Vincenzo's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then looked up at me with a grim expression. "Katana has her team on it," he said. "They'll bring the man to the headquarters. I'll go there in the morning to get answers." I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. "Let's find out who did this and why," I
Katana Romanov leaned back in her chair, the dim light of the headquarters casting long shadows across the room. The weight of the recent events pressed heavily on her shoulders. She knew her brother, Vincenzo, was relying on her to get answers, and she was determined not to let him down. As she reviewed the footage from the grocery store, she paused the video at the moment the man handed Annizah the note. She zoomed in, trying to get a clearer look at his face. The grainy quality of the footage made it difficult, but she was able to make out some distinct features: a small scar above his right eyebrow, a slightly crooked nose, and a tattoo peeking out from under his collar. Katana picked up her phone and dialed a number she knew by heart. "Damian, I need you to run facial recognition on this image," she said, sending him a still from the video. "And look into any connections with a tattoo that matches this one," she added, describing the visible part of the ink. "Got it," Damian
Katana Romanov's black SUV moved silently through the abandoned streets, heading toward the address Aleksandr Petrov had provided. Her eyes scanned the darkened buildings as they approached the location: an old, dilapidated factory on the outskirts of the city. The structure stood as a monument to the decay and danger that lurked in the shadows of their world. She turned to her team, the hardened men who had been by her side through countless operations. "Remember, we're here to send a message. No one crosses the Romanovs without consequence. Stay sharp and follow my lead." They nodded, their expressions steely and resolute. As the SUV came to a halt, they slipped out into the night, moving with practiced precision. The air was thick with tension, each step forward bringing them closer to the confrontation that awaited inside. Katana signaled for two of her men to take up positions at the rear entrance, while she and the rest approached the front. She could hear muffled voices and t
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