Cara's POVI sighed in relief, sinking further into the bathtub as the warm water engulfed my body, soothing my aches. It's been two months since the day Kane came to the mansion for the first time.Two months since I became Mrs. Bernardi, and to say it has been one hell of a roller-coaster would be putting it mildly. Adonis had been the same as always, controlling, chauvinistic, arrogant, and hot-headed, and I was the stubborn one. Although, compared to how we started, there was now a mutual understanding.Something like respect and care between roommates. Nothing more. Except you don't sleep with your roommate at every given chance.Life as Mrs. Bernardi has been good to me. It was nice knowing I could live comfortably without having to worry about survival. The sex, on the other hand, as always, was mind-blowing.We'd bicker back and forth and have intense arguments that always ended with both of us panting heavily on the bed. Sometimes in the bathroom, other times in his study.
Cara's POV"Adonis," I called out softly. "Adonis, get up. You're bleeding."The black shirt he had on was torn in several places, and his left cheek was a little swollen. He had a small but deep cut on the left side of his eyebrow. My eyes scanned his form in search of the main source of the excessive bleeding. "Adonis. Come on." I called again when he didn't reply the first time but got nothing again.No way. He can't be dead, right?I crawled over to his side of the bed, giving him a shake, desperately trying to wake him up."Adonis, are you dead? Please wake up. I'm getting scared." I roughly shook him until he released a groan, popping one eye open."What is it?" He rasped"You're bleeding. We've got to get you to the hospital or call Dr. Bruno. I can't leave you bleeding out like this, please." My voice was heavy with worry and moisture glinting in my eyes.Why was I pleading? The reason was unknown to me too. Adonis grumbled, stiffly dragging himself up the bed to get more
"Babbo (father)?"Little Adonis abruptly sat up from his bed at the sound of a door closing. He was a very light sleeper and usually woke up at the littlest noise."Babbo (father), is that you?" His legs touched the ground as he rubbed at his sleepy eyes. It was his room back in the Italy mansion. The home he grew up in for a while and knew like the back of his hand. He'd come down with a cold the previous day, so his nanny was fast asleep beside him. The cunning little child carefully slipped out, hoping not to be noticed.Getting to the entrance of the hall, he looked around for the expected guard who wasn't at his post. Happily, the six-year-old child trodded the big empty corridors in search of his father. Everyone was asleep, as they should be around midnight, so no one stopped him on the way.He was sure he had heard the sound of a door being shut, but which of the doors? That he didn't know.Adonis walked quickly in the direction of his father's room. That was another thing
Cara's POVI woke up to the familiar sound of painful grunts. Or should I say I never really slept? Tossing over, I switched on the bedside lamp.Adonis's brows were pulled down, cold sweat all over his face as he lay stiffly. He was having sleep paralysis again, and this was the third time in three days. Ever since that night...I don't know what to do anymore. I've tried talking to him, but I'll be better off speaking to a fish than Adonis. I've tried reaching out to Luca and Cecelia, but Luca's line hasn't been going through. I'm guessing he's still recovering, and that's justified. Reaching out to Nadia and Dimitri crossed my mind, but I didn't want them to worry.His grunts increased, and I softly shook him awake."Adonis. Adonis wake up." As usual, he didn't, and I tried the second time, more forcefully. "Adonis, wake up!" His eyes flung open, his chest moving up and down in rapid pants as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. I took his hand in mine, rubbing it in comf
"Si Padre (yes, father), I'll come visit soon," Luca said in a low voice. "No. Nothing's wrong; we've just been so busy. Yes, the coronation has been postponed, but there's so much work to do here. You know we've been expanding territory." He took the phone away from his ear to let out a painful groan. Taking quick, rapid breaths until the pain in his abdomen had subsided. He placed the phone back in his ear."Sorry, I didn't get that." He paused, and his father repeated the unheard words. "Yes. Adonis is a born leader. I promise to come visit you with Cecelia soon. Yeah bye. Say hi to Lilian for me." Luca dropped the phone immediately the call ended as though it were a hot, boiling kettle. His two hands went to his abdomen, and he closed his eyes tightly at the pain. It's been three days since they got back from their recent mission. Three days since he'd stepped out of the house. Three days since he'd seen Adonis.The last sentence caused a spark of hurt in his chest. He wasn't
Cecelia was taken aback."What do you mean?" "Don't, what did you mean, me, babe? You know what I'm talking about?" Luca retorted with a glare, which she equally matched."I do not. If I do, I wouldn't be asking." He drew in a calming breath."Who were you on the phone with? What was that all about? You were giving info. about us." She let out a scoff in disbelief."Are you seriously doubting me?" "Stop avoiding the questions and just answer." Cecelia gaped at Luca, appalled at his attitude. She couldn't believe it. He was truly doubting her. She was here taking care of his injured butt, and he was doubting her. "If you must know, I was on a call with Tina. She asked for updates. Here." She dumped her phone in his hand. "You can go through my call log. Since you need evidence for everything I do now." She walked away to the room and began to pack her things. She wasn't going to stay with a man who didn't trust her.Still adamant about what he heard, Luca unlocked her phone and
The light mood in the room disappeared, and Luca felt the previous sense of distress return."Luca I'm worried. I don't know what to do anymore. Ever since the day he got back, he rarely speaks, he rarely eats, and he doesn't do anything but lock himself in his study, only coming out at night. But he can't even sleep." Cara informed him with a worried look."What exactly happened? I need to know to help him. What caused him to drastically change overnight?"Luca released a sigh. He understood what Cara was trying to say and how she felt, but he wasn't in the right position to divulge any kind of information to her. That was Adonis's right."I think I want to know too." Cece piped up. "Baby, I know this is part of your line of work, but I've never seen Adonis react this way. Look at yourself. You may think I didn't notice, but you've been downcast too. Is everything fine? Tell us..."Cara's eyes scanned Luca's face. He might be looking better for someone who had gunshot wounds, but th
Cara got home late that night. She had processed the news she got from Luca and thought of a way to get Adonis to talk. Luca had said it wouldn't be easy, but she was willing to try. It was better than just watching him go through emotions he didn't understand.By the time she stepped into the room, the lights were off, but he wasn't asleep.That much she could tell from the way he was sitting with his back against the headboard and his hands crossed over his chest. Cara was going to tiptoe towards the closet to avoid affecting his semi-relaxed state when he spoke up."It's late. Where are you coming from?" She halted.He was awake. Maybe she didn't have to wait till tomorrow.She turned to look at him and met his intense gaze on her. She had forgotten to close the windows as usual, and the moonlight reflected over his face, highlighting his handsome features and chiseled jaw. Cara met his tired eyes. "I was bored, so I went to check up on Luca." He hummed and closed his eyes agai
Cara's POV"So we do not just live for today..." Adonis said, rounding up his speech, "We live for tomorrow, too. People say do not be stuck in the past; we're not. We're just bringing a part of it that we never want to forget." He placed his hand against his heart, the raw pain in his eyes betraying his composed self. "My brother would forever be remembered for his tenacity and courage in the face of trouble. He made this happen." He gestured all around, referring to our family. "And that's why I'll step down with one last word." Adonis's eyes met mine, and I gave him a smile of encouragement. This was the moment—the highlight of his speech. The words we'd been practising for days. He was going to say them..."I love you, Luca Romano. Rest on."The atmosphere was sober, not tearful as I expected, but at the same time, we've all shed a handful of tears during the last few weeks; I didn't think anyone had more in stock.Weeks had passed since the raid, and now, under the Italian sun,
As soon as they filed out of the study, the guard waited till he heard the elevator ding close before slipping out. He immediately dialled Luca's line."Hello? Are you here already? Hold up, I'll meet you at the reception.""No! The mansion is being raided. Diavolo..."Luca, who was already walking out of the waiting room, halted. Oh shit... what perfect timing!"What's going on there?"The guard proceeded to fill him in on everything he had heard, and Luca patiently took them in, some familiar, some new."What did they mean by transfer of ownership?""I do not know. But I think whatever it is, it has to do with Sarah, and they're going to kill her. He already instructed that all the men in the house be killed. What do we do, boss?"That was a question Luca wanted to ask himself. He never noticed any transfer. They were cornered, and walking into that house without a plan was suicide.He glanced back at Miguel, who was whispering harshly over the phone. He had been doing that for a w
Cara's POV As soon as the words left my mouth, all necessary documents were brought to me, and Adonis was wheeled off.Standing in the waiting room while I nearly ran out of my mind felt like a luxury with everything that was going on, and I was somewhat grateful for that.I needed to get to my father, but my phone was broken. Reaching into the bag on the sofa, I pulled out Adonis's phone, which I had intentionally hidden and lied that we left at home, immediately dialling his number.First ring. Second ring. Third ring.The call didn't connect. Who then sent the text that Adonis saw? Perhaps...My finger pressed on his contacts, scrolling through until I settled on the one I had an inkling about. The first ring didn't even complete as the receiver picked up the call."Freddie. What the f*ck is going on? What did you say about Luca?""Cara? Dio, siamo fottuti (god, we're screwed). I don't know what to do." He cried, sending a pang through my heart, but I cleared my throat."What do
Cara's POV"Any news?"Frustrated, I clenched the fabric of my gown to control myself from snapping at my stressor of a husband, gritting out between clenched teeth."No." He stared at me for a second more before turning his face the other way.I began a mental countdown.Three, two, one—"Shouldn't they have reached out by now?""No. No, they shouldn't have." I replied with a tight smile. "It's been barely an hour since they left." "Just an hour?" Adonis breathed heavily, showing how weaker he was getting by the minute. "It feels longer." Yeah. Definitely weaker. The normal Adonis wasn't this talkative."It wouldn't feel that way if you stopped asking. You've asked five times since they left. The phone is on the table." I gestured to my device, which I had placed on a desk I had dragged between the sofa and the bed to prove to him that I wasn't hiding anything when he asked the second time."Look at it. The moment it beeps, you'd know." "Yeah, I would." He murmured. "I just feel
Cara's POVAdonis and I paused, staring at their wide eyes—well, Luca's. The atmosphere immediately switched into one of urgency. "For heaven's sake! Why did he choose to attack now?" I cried out."Because we're occupied at the moment? What better time to strike the sheep than when the shepherd is away?" "What did the men say?""He has over two hundred men with him, and they're heavily armed. I believe it's a takeover. About fifty were ours.""The takeover we've been expecting." My father clarified and I gave him a pointed stare."But everything is set right?""Everything but Adrian's sample.""That shouldn't be a problem, I'll find a way to get close to him and snip one." Luca offered."That isn't necessary. I already did."We all paused, staring at Adonis in surprise. "You... did? When?""Just before I collapsed, remember I fell on him?""Dude... you're crazy," His second-in-command commented. "Hmm... you're very competent." My father supported. "That's settled then. We should le
Cara's POV"Cara." I jerked awake at the sound of my name, blinking away the sleep in my eyes. "You can see him now." Doctor Bruno said. Exhaustion displayed across his face, showing how draining the last few hours had been."He's awake?" I rasped, stifling a yawn. My entire body felt sore from sleeping on the chair.How many hours had it been?Eyeing the big clock on the wall—5am. Thirty-one hours. Sun rays were beginning to stream in from outside lighting up the hallway. This was the second sunrise since Adonis had his...I sighed, pulling myself up when I noticed something odd. Before sleep finally claimed me last night, I was sure there were two men passed out on the chair opposite me. Now I could see just one.My brows knitted in a frown, "Where's my father?""He left to get a cup of coffee. He woke up a while ago." Doctor Bruno replied. My eyes darted to Luca, who still had his head bent, eyes closed, and arms folded over his chest. From the weird position he was in and the
Cara's POVAll through the drive to the hospital, I couldn't stop imagining the what-ifs.What if his case had worsened? What if his case was already beyond the point of recovery? What if he doesn't regain consciousness at all?I didn't know what to expect, and the fact in itself was sickening. Literally speaking.At the hospital, we found my father and Doctor Bruno talking at the reception and were immediately escorted to Adonis's room."What happened? He was fine before I left." I asked, my eyes zeroed in on my husband's unconscious form. "I don't understand either. We stood up to see Diavolo out when fluid suddenly began to leak from his nostrils—My face contorted, "Excuse me, what? Fluid?""I wouldn't say it was sudden. The fluid is from his brain. I believe there's a leak somewhere." Doctor Bruno cut in, "Remember, we have left this untreated for long, so adverse effects like this are bound to occur."My heart skipped a beat. At the end of the day, it was due to Adonis's stub
"To warn you." Was all Cara said, but those three words were enough to get his full attention if it was still divided. "Diavolo's at my father's." Luca leaned forward, clasping his hands in concentration. "The time has come then?" "Yes, it has." She confirmed. Both were speaking in parables... half words. Despite not using complete sentences, they understood each other. "I'm surprised Adonis let you leave the house at all." "He didn't have a choice. My presence there would only cause chaos. It was better for me to be away, believe me." "Still, you could've sent someone. It's not safe for you to be moving around unprotected. Adrian had recruited a lot of people. The threat would be too overwhelming for a mere dozen guards." "I don't have a dozen and have you forgotten what I said?" Cara stressed. "I needed to warn you." "Yeah. From what? Adonis couldn't come himself to do so?" He scoffed, rising to his feet to get his pills. One of the few things he was gratefu
Cara's POV One would think arriving at the mansion I'd missed so much would bring me joy, but it only made my anxiety turn sour.What are the odds that I'd meet Tina at the door just as I was about to walk in?"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in..." she taunted.As usual, I was taken aback; it would take a million years for me to get used to this version of her. She used to be the only reason I looked forward to working at the restaurant... one of the sources of my rarely enjoyed happiness. Now she was... different.She gave me a once-over, her face scrunched up like she was disgusted. "You look fat... I must say. And how is life treating you, now that your rich husband is not so rich? Did you think all your problems would go away when you married him?" Tina laughed mockingly.I eyed her outfit, composed of the latest pieces of Louis Vuitton from her head down to her feet. "Are you sure you're not projecting yourself on me?""Excuse me?""You're the one who changed because you