The doctor's presence brought a measure of calm to the chaos, his experienced hands and soothing voice guiding Annizah through the labor. Vincenzo never left her side, holding her hand tightly, whispering words of encouragement."You're doing great, bella," he said softly, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Just a little more. You're so strong."Annizah's grip on his hand tightened with each contraction, her face contorted with pain and determination. The minutes felt like hours as she pushed through the agony, her eyes locked onto Vincenzo's for strength.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the sound of a baby's cry filled the room. Annizah's tears of pain turned to tears of joy as the doctor carefully placed their newborn into her arms. "It's a girl," the doctor announced, a smile breaking through his professional demeanor.Annizah looked down at their daughter, her heart swelling with love and relief. "Enzo, look," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "She's perfe
Vincenzo arrived at the Russian airport, his eyes scanning the crowd with practiced ease. He stepped through the terminal with confidence, his presence commanding attention. As he exited the gates, a tall man with a sharp suit and an equally sharp smile approached him. It was Helios, one of his long-standing business partners in Russia."Vincenzo, welcome," Helios greeted, extending his hand.Vincenzo shook it firmly. "Helios. Good to see you.""How was your flight?" Helios asked as they started walking towards the exit."Uneventful, just the way I like it," Vincenzo replied.Helios laughed, a deep, booming sound. "I hear congratulations are in order. How's your family?""Annizah gave birth to our daughter," Vincenzo said, a rare warmth in his voice."That's wonderful news!" Helios exclaimed, patting Vincenzo on the back. "Congratulations. I assume you’re here on business, though?""Always," Vincenzo said, his tone shifting to a more serious note.They walked to a sleek black car wait
I stared at the masked man, my face a mask of cold composure. He was doing his best to provoke me, to get under my skin, but I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. Around us, the room was tense with anticipation, eyes flicking between us as if expecting a fight to break out any moment."You think you can protect your family from us?" the masked man sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. "You're far from home, Romanov. Here, you're just another player in our game."I kept my expression neutral, my eyes boring into his. "And you think you're in control?" I replied evenly. "That's cute."Helios, standing nearby, let out a booming laugh, clearly enjoying the exchange. But I wasn’t here for his amusement. The masked man took a step closer, his attempt at intimidation almost laughable."You’re just a puppet," I said, my voice low and steady. "Following orders without a mind of your own. Tell me, how does it feel to be nothing more than someone’s errand boy?"The man's eyes bl
As I stare through the glass of the incubator, watching our daughter’s tiny chest rise and fall, relief floods through me. The doctors said she was gas-poisoned, but now she’s stable. Annizah leans into me, her warmth a stark contrast to the cold hospital environment. The steady hum of the machines around us fades into the background as we stand together, united in our silent vigil.“This world is so dangerous,” Annizah whispers, her voice trembling. “I never realized just how much until now.”I tighten my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. “Do you regret it? Choosing me, this life?”She looks up at me, her eyes filled with love and sadness. “I don’t regret choosing you, Vincenzo. I only feel sorry that you had to be born into this kind of lifestyle. But I love you, and that’s all that matters.”Her words are a balm to my soul, and I press a kiss to her forehead. “I promise you, Annizah, I’ll take care of everything. I’ll end this once and for all. Our family will be safe.”
A month has passed since the hospital incident, and our daughter, Fiore, has been growing healthier and stronger every day. The threats against our family have seemingly quieted down, but I’ve learned not to let my guard down. Even in moments of peace, I remain vigilant, always on edge, always searching. In my study, I sit hunched over my laptop, scanning through files and databases, desperately trying to find any trace of my half-brother. Despite our advanced technology and the network of contacts at my disposal, he remains elusive. It's as if he’s a ghost, slipping through every net I cast. Just then, Mark walks in, his presence a surprising interruption. “Got any leads?” he asks, casually leaning against the doorway. I glance up, my brows furrowed in confusion. “Why are you asking?” He smirks, a glint of mystery in his eyes. “I might have some clues for you.” My interest piqued, I shut the laptop and focus on him. “What do you know?” Mark shrugs nonchalantly. “Let’s jus
The atmosphere in the living room was heavy with tension as my father walked in, holding a folder in his hand. He threw it onto the coffee table with a force that made everyone jump. The folder spilled open, revealing documents and photographs. My eyes were immediately drawn to a picture of a man who looked uncannily like me, only he was wearing a mask that obscured part of his face. "Who is this?" I demanded, picking up one of the photographs. The resemblance was undeniable, and a chill ran down my spine. "That," my father said, his voice seething with anger, "is the illegitimate son I told you about. Your half-brother. The one who’s been causing all these problems for us." The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Mark, standing beside me, was the first to break the silence. "It makes sense," he said quietly. "If he’s been abandoned and neglected all his life, it’s no wonder he wants revenge." My father’s face turned red with fury. "Revenge? Revenge for what?
The garden was serene, a haven of calm amidst the turmoil of recent events. Annizah walked slowly along the path, cradling Fiore in her arms, the baby cooing softly. The scent of blooming flowers filled the air, and the gentle rustling of leaves provided a soothing backdrop. As she rounded a corner, she saw Vincenzo’s mother, Maria, sitting on a stone bench. Annizah hesitated, feeling a familiar distance between them. Despite the time they had spent together, their relationship had always been tinged with a certain reserve. "Annizah," Maria called softly, noticing her. "Would you join me?" Annizah nodded and walked over, sitting down on the bench while still holding Fiore. She looked down at the baby, using her as a buffer between herself and Maria. The older woman reached out, gently touching Fiore’s tiny hand. "She’s beautiful," Maria said, her voice filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow. "You’re a wonderful mother, Annizah." "Thank you," Annizah replied, her tone polite but
Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Annizah stood in front of Vincenzo, her fingers deftly adjusting his tie and smoothing the lapels of his suit. Vincenzo watched her, a tender smile playing on his lips. Her concentration, the way she bit her lip slightly as she worked, and her gentle touch—all of it filled him with a deep sense of love and gratitude."Are you sure you’ll be alright?" Annizah asked, her voice tinged with worry. She looked up at him, her eyes searching his.Vincenzo nodded, placing his hand over hers. "I’ll be fine," he reassured her. "This is something I need to do, for all of us. Today, we start executing our plans."Annizah nodded, though the worry didn’t leave her eyes. "Just be careful, okay?""I will," he promised, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "I always am."With a final adjustment to his suit, Annizah stepped back, giving him an appreciative once-over. "You look perfect," she said with a smile, th