The tension in the room is thick as we continue to interrogate Christian. He's seated on the edge of the hotel bed, sweating bullets, with Michael and Luca pressing him down, ensuring he doesn't try anything stupid. Emaine stands by the door, her eyes never leaving Christian's face, her gun loosely gripped in her right hand. Isabel is pacing by the window, her face unreadable, but I can tell she's more agitated than she lets on. Christian is acting too calm, though, like he's resigned to his fate. Something about it doesn't sit right with me. Where's his fight? He's always been a slimy, slippery bastard, but now he's just... waiting. Then it hits me-there's no way a man like Christian would be in a room like this without some sort of defense. My stomach drops as the realization dawns on me, and I scan the room frantically. We didn't check the other rooms when we burst in, assuming the main room would be all we needed to control. A grave mistake. I barely have time to shout a warni
The house is silent, colder than it should be. I stand by the window, watching the last of the sunlight disappear behind the horizon. The shadows stretch long across the room, and I can feel the weight of grief pressing down on us all. Sophia is gone, and nothing feels right anymore. We just got back from the mortuary, leaving her body there. It’s been a day since she died, but it feels like it happened in another lifetime. Her last breath keeps playing in my mind, a reminder that we failed her. I clench my fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms. We can’t stop now. Sophia wouldn’t want that. Across the room, Luca is huddled in a corner, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. He wants to mourn, to lose himself in grief, but that’s not an option. Not for us. Not now. If we stop, we won’t find the strength to continue. And we have to keep going. We have to finish this. “Michael,” Shannon’s voice breaks the silence, pulling me away from my thoughts. She’s beside me, her expression har
“Aren’t you supposed to be locked up?” Is the first thing I say after days of not saying a single word. Leonard’s been starving me and giving me punches of food with water. Hee trying to weaken my body. To say I was shocked that these people of all people would be the ones to find me would be an understatement. There’s a new face I don’t recognize though… he’s probably just some guy. My mom looks at me and laughs. “I think you're supposed to say ‘thank you for saving my life mom’.” Emaine says. I don’t even blink at her. “Michael help me get him up.” Shannon says. “Nope, Luca will. I’ll go help the guards.” Michael says and leaves. Well At Least this confirms my thoughts. There’s no way these people would come to save me for nothing. If it was just Emaine then I wouldn’t be wondering why but Michael, Shannon and worse of all Isabel? The new guy must be the one Michael called Luca because he does as he says and comes and grabs my arms to help me stand. Shannon does the same o
I wake up to someone knocking on my door. I stand up and open the door. It’s Shannon. “Dress up and meet us downstairs, it’s important.” She says. I nod and close the door. I know they want to ask me questions but I have way more questions for them. I bath and change clothes. I go downstairs and see everyone sitting at the dining table. Shannon’s sitting and the end of the table. Only two seats out of the four seats on the left are occupied by Isabel and Luca and on the right side are occupied by Emaine and Michael. I decide to sit on the other end of the table so now I’m facing Shannon. “Before we start asking you questions we’ll answer any that you have.” Shannon says. I look at Emaine, the woman that gave birth to me. “Why are you with them and how did you get out of jail.” “She was the reason Aurelia got kidnapped.” Isabel says. Emaine rolls her eyes. Now I’m even more confused. “So why is she with you guys—In Fact, why are you with them?” I ask Isabel. I thought she w
Earlier that day I woke slowly, the remnants of a dream still heavy on my mind. My body felt warm and heavy against the sheets, the comfort of the bed wrapping me like a cocoon. Eyes still closed, I reached out instinctively, stretching my hand across the bed, searching for the familiar presence of Leonard beside me. My fingertips brushed only the cool, empty space where he should have been. My eyes fluttered open, confusion momentarily tugging at the edges of my sleep-hazed mind. Where had he gone? The absence of his warmth left the bed feeling far too large. I ignored the knot tightening in my stomach and rolled out of bed, pushing away the odd sense of loss. It didn’t matter where he went. He was probably just tending to something important. Shaking off the lingering fog of sleep, I made my way to the bathroom. The routine felt comforting—bathing, getting dressed—but as I slipped into fresh clothes, my thoughts began to spiral. I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened
I stared out the window of the small flat I’d rented in London, the gray sky a mirror to my mood. This city felt like a world away from the life I’d left behind in Rome, but it was where I needed to be right now. I’ve thought about calling Shannon so many times but I just can’t seem to bring myself to do it, I see everyone’s missed calls but I don’t know how to respond to them, My mother’s death had been a blow I wasn’t ready for. The doctors had given me the grim news—an incurable disease had taken her, and with her gone, I had no immediate family left. It was a stark reminder of how alone I felt, even as I tried to ground myself in this new reality. As I sit in the living room, my mind kept drifting to Kane and Aurelia. I know they were struggling, dealing with things I could only imagine. It hurts to think that I couldn’t be there for them, especially with everything they are going through. I felt like I was letting them down by being so far away, but the truth was, I needed th
Today feels like a blur. I woke up and everything happened so fast, now I’m somehow sitting in the palace. Leonard told me he has guests for me today. Apparently I need lawyers in order to prove my innocence on live tv. They're a bunch of citizens presently outside the palace and a bunch of reporters as well. They all want answers. Leonard had told the media today that I wasn’t the one who killed his brother and he’ll do whatever he can to find out who did it. The only thing that’s keeping sane is the fact that Michael will know that I’m okay. And so will everyone else. I stand by the window, staring down at the crowd that’s packed the streets below. Protesters are everywhere, waving signs and banners, their voices a low roar of anger that hums through the glass. I can’t make out the words, but I don’t need to. The fury is obvious, even from up here. My fingers trail along the cold edge of the window as unease tightens in my chest. What are they protesting? Why now? The door cr
I barely slept last night thinking of ways to get Aurelia back. I’m so tired of this shit. I just need her back… I miss her so much. I honestly don’t think I’m worth living without her in my life. I’ve been getting business calls lately because they need me urgently for some product they want me to add in my stock but I honestly could care less about money right now. I’m about to pick up my phone to call Elena but Emaine bursts through my door and now I’m annoyed. “What do you want?” I spit. “Come look at what’s on the news!” She screams and runs downstairs. I stand up and follow suit. What the hell could be that important? Since when does she even watch the news? I get to the living room and everyone is looking focused on the tv. Shannon’s eyes are narrowed in concentration, her arms crossed tight over her chest. Michael sits to her right, his jaw clenched, and I can practically hear his mind turning over the details of whatever plan he’s already building. Luca leans forwar
My eyes have been shut this whole time that when I open them I realize none of this makes sense but I don’t even care. I get off him and kiss him so hard I’m sure I left a bruise somewhere. I finally allow us to breathe. “I’m so sorry baby.” I whisper whilst hugging him. “Shh..” he says and rubs my back. I step away and he wipes my tears. “I know you have many questions.” He says whilst holding my waist. I nod with snot probably coming out of my nose. “Ask.” He says. He’s trying to distract me. “How are you here.. the letter! Your silence on the phone? London?” I speak without thinking . “Michale called yesterday. He told me he didn’t want to tell me about your wedding but I told him we already met and you told me about it. He then told me it’s happening today but I still didn’t want to bother. I had concluded that I’d kill myslef the day you get married. So I was prepared until he told me the kind of danger you might be in and I immediately got on the plane. The only
“I’m so sorry Leo.” I say but he ignores me and I can see his heart shattering. I know how much he loved his sister even though he loved to pretend otherwise. I then look at Luca who seems to be staring at Isabel like he’s in a trance. He’s not even crying. There’s not even tears. He’s just staring at her. I sit flat on the floor between the two dead bodies whilst the war outside is still happening so it’s not like I can go anywhere. Elena suddenly calls my name but I’m too shocked to look at her. She shows up in front of me and hands me the same envelope that mom gave her. I take it from her and open it. I look down first because I want to see who it’s from, this is not the time. I see the name Kane there and I immediately start to get the most painful headache ever. I close my eyes and I could swear I’m in a trance where all I’m seeing are memories. They're all coming back. Rune was my stepbrother. Leonard killed him. I loved Kane alot and I also loved Rune a lot. Emaine
I sigh when I realize Michael and I have walked past half of the aisle and look up. I finally have eye contact with Leonard and the way he looks at me makes me want to drop my gaze back down. He looks amazing in his black suit. His hair is slicked back as well and he’s carved his beard. He’s staring at me like I’m the best thing he’s ever seen and that makes me smile. We finally reach the small stairs and Michael untangles his hand from mine. I see him glare at Leonard before he lets me go and I walk up the stairs. I stand right in front of Leonard. He's on the right side whilst I’m on the left. The priest is in the middle. My girls are behind me and vice versa with Leonard’s men. I so badly want to ask Shannon where Emaine is but I don’t think it’s appropriate. I hear some whispers whilst I’m up here but I can’t hear what their saying. Everyone sits down and I finally hear someone say that it’s not right for my mom to be here but the king's mother isn't. I snort and Leonard rai
One week later I’ve been thinking about Kane and I’s conversation all day and my heart feels like it's exploding every time. I don’t know whether it’s the memories of my past that have been coming back lately but they are affecting the way I feel about this entire situation. Leonard decided to rush our wedding because he felt like something bad would happen in between. Apparently the rebels are angry at me for betraying them. they’ve started to riot again. I didn’t betray them but it sure as hell looks like I am now that I’m getting married to one of the revolution's enemies. They must be feeling the same way Michael feels. I would definitely try to find who is commanding them now that me, Michael and Luca are no longer there just so that I could talk to them and try to find a reasonable understanding or come to an agreement between one another to stop the violence and just let the wicked leaders lead. The people will handle it during the elections when they are choosing their own l
I lean back in the seat, tracing the edge of the invitation card in my lap. It’s still strange, seeing my name next to Leonard’s in elegant, golden script. I went to see them today, to invite Michael, Elena, Shannon, and the others to the wedding. A part of me hoped they’d all be there, that maybe they’d want to share this with me. But every single one of them declined. Their rejections feel like tiny, sharp pinpricks, pressing deeper the more I think about it. As we slow at a red light, I glance out the window, watching people hurry across the street, faces blending into each other. Then I freeze. In the car beside me, a familiar face leans against the window, lost in thought—Kane. My heart skips. Without thinking, I lean forward and tap the driver’s shoulder. “Please, pull over. Right here.” He raises his eyebrows at me through the rearview mirror but nods, steering us to the curb. I roll down my window, sticking my hand out to catch Kane’s attention. “Kane!” I call softly, hop
Everyone keeps congratulating me but for some reason I don’t even feel like this is real. Leonard told me he doesn’t want to waste much time on our wedding and I agreed so we’re getting married in a week. I decided to go to kanes place to tell Michael and the others. For some reason I can’t get Kane out of my mind….ever since he helped me that day by getting me away from that weird ass man in the library stuck with me and I haven't been able to thank him. I didn’t even thank him for trying to get to me the time that Leonard had kidnapped me. Leonard invited his hateful relatives for our engagement. Apparently the tradition is that they have to all come and dine with me, I refused to do so.. they came regardless but I wasn’t there to see them. Leonard had understood that I needed to leave so he let me go to kanes place which is where I’m heading now. He insisted that I take some of his guards so I did. I don’t know how Shannon, Michael, Elena, Luca and even Kane will take this news…
Hearing that Aurelia was in love with Leonard was one thing but seeing it in her eyes did something to me. The moment we got home I didn’t speak to anyone no matter how much they tried to get me to speak. There’s no use for me to stay in Rome if the reason I’m here is clearly gone… I don’t want to give up but as long as she doesn’t have her memory back I have to leave. I decided to write her a letter, I hope that when she gets to read this her memory will be back. I’m presently packing. I'm going back to London. I don’t plan on getting talked out of this so I’m planning on going when everyone’s asleep besides Shannon, I'm going to give her the letter personally because I know she’ll deliver my message. I step out of my room silently and knock on her door a few times. She opens it whilst brushing her eyes with her hands. She looks like she hasn’t been sleeping… but she does look very tired. “Kane?” she asks, voice hushed. "What are you doing here? And...with a suitcase?" I st
I sit in my room, the dim light casting shadows on the walls. My heart still races from the commotion downstairs. I expected my mother, Shannon, to leave with the rest of them, but she didn’t. She’s here. I hear her soft footsteps approaching before there’s a light knock on the door. “Aurelia, may I come in?” she asks, her voice gentle but firm, like always. “Yeah,” I whisper, unsure of what to expect. My fingers fidget in my lap as she steps in and closes the door behind her. She sits beside me on the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight. There’s a brief silence as she studies me, her eyes soft but observant, the way a mother’s should be. I look away, my throat tight, already feeling the emotions bubbling up. I know what this is about. “I didn’t leave with the others because I needed to talk to you,” Shannon says, her voice soft but serious. She reaches out, taking my hand. Her touch is warm, familiar, and it instantly begins to break down the walls I’ve tried to
I sit on the edge of the couch, my eyes scanning the room. Kane leans against the wall, arms crossed, his face unreadable. Shannon and Luca sit across from each other, both looking deep in thought. Elena is quiet, but I can feel her eyes on me, waiting. Emaine sits off to the side, her posture stiff, clearly uncomfortable. I clear my throat, trying to break the silence. "The revolution has been regrouping. We don’t know who their new leader is, but I have reason to believe they’re planning to take action soon." Kane uncrosses his arms, his lips curling into a grim smirk. “Let them. If their first plan is to kill Leonard, I’d be more than happy to let them.” Before I can respond, Shannon jumps in. "That’s not a good idea, Kane. Especially if Aurelia isn’t leading them anymore. They see her as a traitor. If they try to kill Leonard, they’ll go after her too." Her words hang in the air, and I can feel the tension rising. Luca’s phone suddenly rings, cutting through the weight of the