Elena sat facing the wall mutely. She had cried so much in the last five hours that she was sure her body had no more moisture. She supposed she should be grateful that she hadn’t birthed a child with that monster, David. But in truth, all she felt was exhaustion. She felt a bit of pity for the man. Marco. That was how he introduced himself. He had spent all this time and money treating her, and now that she was awake, she couldn’t bear to look at him. He had such piercing eyes that she knew the truth of her circumstances would come flowing out if she dared to look into them. “I’m going to the lobby to get some snacks. Would you like anything?” He asked her calmly as he stood up from the bed side chair where he had been perched all day doing nothing but watching over her. Elena blushed in embarrassment and shook her head. Her voice was still hoarse from disuse, and she knew she should speak, but something about Marco made her subconcious, and she opted for gestures whenever she c
Chapter 23Marco stood outside the bathroom door, unsure if he should go in when he heard a loud scream.He got so scared that he felt like his heart would burst from his chest. Surely, she hadn’t survived a fall from a mountain just to crack her skull open in the bathroom?Without thinking twice about how appropriate it was, he burst open the bathroom door and saw her on the floor.Clawing at her face, eyes wide in fear, and screaming at the top of her lungs.“Hey, hey, hey, it’s okay,” Marco whispered in dread as he placed his hands on her shoulders and looked her over to make sure she was okay.But she kept staring behind him and screaming in terror. “It’s fine. You’re fine,” He muttered repeatedly as a part of him wondered if he was trying to convince her or himself.His reassurance didn’t seem to work, though. She was trembling badly and pointing behind him while muttering incoherently.Marco scrunched his face in confusion and turned behind him to see what had so thoroughly sca
Chapter 24 A knock sounded at the door. Tamara heaved a heavy sigh as she got up from the bed and slowly walked over to open her bedroom door. It wasn’t her bedroom. Well, not exactly. The past three weeks since she woke up had been a rollercoaster and she was still trying to collect her emotions but one thing was clear. Marco was hellbent on helping her. Over the weeks, it had taken every strength in her to become reacquainted with her body. With her going to physio every day, she had barely seen Marco but he had settled everything. The man had connections and just like she had suspected, he was filthy rich. “Hey, good evening,” Tamara whispered as she unlocked the door and moved aside for Marco to come into the room. Marco cleared his throat and smiled gently. “Good evening, Sutta” He replied as he stepped past her into the room. “Sutta?” She asked amused as she shut the door and turned around to face him with her arms crossed. “Sorry, habit. For the longest time, I had no i
Chapter 25Tamara clenched her fists tightly as she tried to calm herself by taking deep breaths. “Ma’am? Are you okay?” The air hostess asked in concern as she tried to figure out what was wrong with the woman Mr. Marco had come with.“Hmm…I- I’m fine,” Tamara hissed softly as she opened her eyes slightly to reassure the girl but shut them promptly when she felt the jet lurch a bit.Before her accident, she never had a fear of heights. Apparently, that was one of the new things for her, falling down a cliff had instilled a fear of heights in her that she forgot until she entered the private jet with Marco and Francesca.“Are you sure? I could get-” The air hostess started to say it again.“I said I’m fine!” Tamara snapped as she flicked her wrist to shoo the girl away.Marco watched from his seat as Tamara gripped her seat for dear life. The air hostess kept attempting to speak with her, but it seemed to make matters worse.The girl turned back slightly to look at Marco and gave him
Chapter 26Tamara fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist and let out a deep sigh at the opportunity to rest for a bit.It wasn’t that working as Marco’s assistant was particularly tedious or awful. In fact, they spent more time preparing their new company than she spent serving him, but Mrs. Donatelli had no concept of that.She seemed to believe that Tamara was a slave to her son and hence destined to serve her every whim.That was the reason she stood hiding behind a large flower pot, away from the important people she was supposed to be making connections with.It was the biggest party Tamara had attended since she arrived in Milan. And that was expected, seeing as it was the engagement ceremony of Mr. Marco Donatelli and Miss Francesca Bernandi. Two names Tamara was learning were very significant in the business world.Tamara snickered as she remembered how Marco hadn’t been particularly happy about the engagement, but since he hadn’t rejected Francesca outright, Mrs. Donatelli ha
Chapter 276 MONTHS LATER*********************************************************************************************************A small smile played on Marco’s lips as he remembered his last discussion with Tamara. She had arrived in Milan today, but he hadn’t seen her yet, due to all the business preparations he had to finish.Over the six months she had spent in Paris, they had spent every day, talking, working, plotting and just enjoying each other’s company.Marco had never had a best friend before. No one came close enough. With his strict, no-nonsense demeanor, he had never made any real friends except Seth and even Seth couldn’t be classified as his best friend because their friendship had been borne out of necessity when he got into business school.With Elena or Tamara, it was different. Maybe because he had watched her silently for seven months, but something about them just clicked, and though he never said it aloud, Marco knew Tamara was his platonic soulmate and the t
Chapter 28The paparazzi cameras flashed in Chelsea’s eyes and she blinked in irritation.She supposed she couldn’t complain. This was all she had ever wanted.Everything she dreamed and hoped for. A successful company, a good husband, fame, money and yet as she flashed her brightest smile for the cameras, she couldn’t help but feel hollow inside.“Babe, you good?” David whispered in her ear as he wrapped a hand around her waist for them to assume another pose.“Yeah, I just feel a little lightheaded. Should we take some more pictures then head inside?” Chelsea asked her husband as she responded to calls of Mrs Windsor from the paparazzi.Her wedding to David had been the biggest wedding in the business world, and now nearly a year later, she preened as she still enjoyed the attention from the press.David didn’t give her a reply as he swung his head to stare at something or more precisely, someone.Chelsea frowned. In the several months of her marriage, she had never had to worry abo
Chapter 29Tamara returned to her seat with a giddy smile on her lips. She and Marco had worked so hard. For months she had gibe with minimal sleep, having meetings at odd hours and thinking up ideas in the shower.Finally, it had paid off!She wished she could have a picture of Chelsea’s face when she used her shoulder to climb the stage and accept the award.She would have sent it to Marco and he would have been ecstatic and happy for her.But she supposed a selfie of her and the trophy would have to do.With a happy smirk on her lips, she pressed the send button and waited eagerly for Marco to reply.She shifted on her seat uncomfortably as the pressure in her lower region alerted her to her need to pee.With a huff of irritation, she passed the trophy to a member of her team and scurried away to use the restroom.When she finished he’d businsss and stepped out, she was shocked to find David waiting for her with a pleasant smile on his lips.Her heart thundered in her chest as he
Reborn for Revenge Last ChapterThe hall was packed full of the business world’s elite. The invitation was the most coveted thing as zero cameras were seen in the hall save for the officially approved videographers.The orchestra struck a cord, the double doors swung open and Elena Sanchez began her walk down the aisle.In her right hand she held a bouquet of flowers and her left down was intertwined with a man’s own.Shock rippled through the guests as they recognized the man as Chairman Donatelli.On the other side of the long aisle stood the groom of the day.Once Italy’s most suitable bachelor, Marco Dantelli stood with his eyes wet as his grandfather slowly escorted his bride towards him.Despite Rosa’s naggings about protocol and what was considered proper, Elena had written her own vows.The hall fell silent as her words resonated and she whispered them with tears in her throat.She would love him. She would hold him. She would be there for him, but most importantly, she would t
Reborn for Revenge New chapter “So? What do you think?” Rosa Donatelli asked her future daughter-in-law excitedly.“Umm….,” Elena trailed with a smile.“I know, I know,” Rosa sighed. “You want to wear your own dress. But it’s not made by any popular designer,” Rosa looked distressed as she patted down her bun and sighed. “What will I say when the other women ask who designed my daughter-in-law’s dress? An unnamed store from New York City?”Francesca and Elena locked eyes from the full-length mirror and they both burst into giggles.“Oh stop it!” Rosa hissed at them but the edge of her lip was lifted as well. A smile was brewing and she knew it.It wasn’t like Elena hated the dress. Far from it, Rosa’s dress indeed spoke of quiet luxury with its soft lace and intricate pearl design.It fit perfectly too. Pancakes aside, it was almost like the dress had been hand-sewn for her. She didn’t have any particular attachment to her own dress and she could have worn it.Just one issue.Elena
Chapter 96Elena Sanchez slipped in and out of consciousness as she heard shouting in the room. At some point, a blow had been thrown, followed by a loud slap that seemed to shock her properly awake.No, she had not been slapped, the slap was for someone else. It was in fact the noise of the slap that woke her up from her drug-like state.She vaguely registered that the bodice of her dress was torn and she pulled together the scraps of the fabric hurriedly trying to cover herself.Some footsteps and the warmth of a coat covered her. She closed her eyes and took in a breath of gratitude.Cedarwood smoky spice. The coat smelled like… Marco. Yes, the man she was supposed to marry. Elena jerked awake fully and flung open her eyes.“Are you mad! What a miscreant! How dare you!”Rosa Donatelli was red faced and screaming angrily. Elena felt disorientated and confused. What had happened?She turned her head to Marco who stood beside her, rubbing her hair with his face twisted in concern.“A
Chapter 95Elena made her way down to get breakfast but her head was spinning. Had Marco not come back last night from where he went with DaSilva? Why else would Vicker carry her instead of her supposed husband?“Dear, are you okay? You don’t look so well,” Queeneth, one of Marco’s cousins spoke up as she got to the dining table.Elena gave her a small smile and fanned herself with my palm. “I… I’m fine. I just need some air. Excuse me,” Before she could reply properly, Elena rushed out of the dining towards the drawing room window and pulled out her phone.Her hands shook as she dialed Marco’s number.Ring Ring.The phone rang and her stomach was in knots until he finally picked up the call.“Hello?”“Where are you?” Elena demanded immediately.In the background of the call, She could hear DaSilva’s voice and it grated on her nerves. “Did you come back last night?”“Sorry baby. I called Mama because you were asleep. I’ll be back in time for my bachelor’s party. Just…”Marco’s voice
Chapter next.“Oh, I think that pose is cute,”Elena squeezed her eyes shut and internally groaned at the sound of DaSilva’s voice. Here she was, trying to process that her soon-to-be husband could potentially have a five-year-old child and the woman was yapping loudly.“You okay?” Marco asked Elena with concern in his voice.“Yeah yeah,” She waved his concern off with a small smile. “I’m fine. Let’s just take the pictures,”Marco gave a nod and Elena didn’t miss his look of relief. He was trying so hard for everything to go well and she couldn’t understand why. Was it because of DaSilva?“And that’s a wrap,” The photographer, Antonio smiled at them The pictures are done. Let’s pick the ones I’ll process.Elena sighed in relief and smiled happily. Finally, an activity she could do with Marco.“Let’s choose the picture,” Elena smiled excitedly.“What do you think you know about PR?” Rosa stepped in with a conceding look. This is the Donatelli family. I will not have you disgrace the fa
Elena looked across the terrace where Marco and DaSilva were still deep in conversation. The two of them were secluded from the entire family and seemed to be talking about something serious.She tried to pretend like it didn’t bother her. She failed.“Maybe try being more subtle?” Vicker, Marco’s cousin teased her with an amused smile.Elena’s cheeks pinkened and she dropped the book she had been pretending to read. “Am I that obvious?” He chuckled and gave Elena a nod. “Pretty much. But it’s alright. You’re marrying him in four days. It would be strange if you weren’t worried,”“But should I be?” Elena frowned. “Do I have a reason to be worried? Who exactly is she?”“I’m sure grandfather already told you,” Vicker replied with a shrug. “She’s Marco’s childhood best friend. I’ve always known her, how exactly they met is fuzzy, but they were always inseparable, we all thought for sure they would be getting married but…” Vicker trailed off.“But what?” Elena asked, her interest now piq
Elena knew Marco was rich. I mean the man came from a long line of men who were diamond industry owners but she didn’t realise he was this rich.She had seen a reasonable amount of wealth in the time she had spent on earth yet her mouth was open in shock as the car pulled up by the side of the fountain and a man pulled open her car door.“Marco,” She whispered in shock. The entire driveway and the estate screamed luxury.The manor itself was breathtaking. Like a mini palace, she didn’t know what to focus her eyes on first. “The manor is gorgeous,” She gushed as she stepped out of the car.Marco chuckled lightly behind her. “Yeah, it is. I’ve gotten so used to this place, I always forget how shocking it is, to see it for the first time,”“Used to it?” Elena asked in bewilderment. “Are you joking?” She took off her sunglasses and stared wide-eyed at the entire expanse of the building.Would she ever get used to it? It amazed her to think of how Marco had grown up.Almost as though Elena
Chelsea was mad. Or crazy. Elena couldn’t decide which one as she watched the woman’s shiny eyes.This wasn’t Chelsea Rodriguez, the intelligent arch enemy she’d had since childhood. This woman was something else, bordering on the edge of insanity.“What’s wrong with her?” Elena asked her secretary as she watched Chelsea respond to the judges’s few questions.“I’m not sure,” Kim sighed and shook her head. “At the first trial, I thought she was putting on an act but now, it’s obvious to anyone that she’s lost it. Maybe guilt from all her evil deeds or the pain of losing the child she longed for,”Elena’s fingers shook but she twisted them and kept them on her lap as the judge slammed the gavel to bring utter silence to the courtroom.“The accused has been found guilty…”The court went up in uproar as the spectators cheered loudly while Elena just sat in silence staring at Chelsea’s wheelchair.“Order!” The judge tried to get the court silent again as she hit the gavel.“...guilty of at
Chapter 90It’s been three weeks since Chelsea Rodriguez’s accident and Elena’s attempted murder.Elena stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bridal shop. Her eyes were wet and as she looked at her friend’s reflection in the mirror, she could see Francesca’s eyes were also wet.“You look so beautiful, gosh,” Fancesca choked out as she got to her feet slowly.“She’s right,” Theresa smiled. “Hurry up and get married before you steal my woman,”The three of them laughed and Elena put a piece of her hair behind her ear.“I feel beautiful too. I think this is it. The dress, I’ll wear. It’s perfect,”Francesca gave a nod of agreement. “I love it too, but do you think Rosa will agree? I imagine she would want you to wear a custom made dress,”Elena’s brows wrinkled and before she could reply, her doctor and friend, Theresa spoke up.“It doesn’t matter if Rosa Donatelli doesn’t like the dress. She’s not the one getting married and she has to accept that. If she can’t then she’s free