At the bar, Marco is watching the boss, who has been silent for some time, sipping his scotch. He's not happy to hear that his wife had met the same man who made him lose control a few nights ago. He hoped to never have to deal with that again. But she went there deliberately. If making her obey his orders for an entire day aren't enough to make her forget about another man, he would have to come up with something else.Honestly, he doesn't like how he feels. He never considered himself to be a possessive person because he never found anything worth holding on to. But with her, things are different. He feels like he's walking on a tightrope under a cliff, where any mistake will lead to a fall. It's a confusing and unpleasant feeling because he cannot hold control over her. He's simply overwhelmed by her whims.This makes him unable to deal with these emotions. His goal was never to get close enough to make a bond with her. He just wanted to make her miserable. She deceived him, after
Eleonor is tense, as if there's a storm outside. But the night sky is clear and there are hardly any clouds. Still, Eleonor feels as if lightning could strike them at any moment. She tries to warm herself with the heat that the wine brings to her body, but her tension is as clear as the crystal sea.She's accompanied to dinner by Giovanni and Lisette. She has tried to refuse her husbands' presence, but he insists. So, they sat at a table next to a big window in one of the resort's restaurants. Giovanni ordered seafood, but Lisette wanted Mexican dishes. Eleonor… well, she doesn't have much of an appetite. In fact, she feels her stomach twist when she sees the sign of food.“I'm so angry. I mean…” Lisette says between bites. “Did you really have to call my Papà? I had to listen to a three-hour lecture, Giovanni… THREE HOURS! Saying that I shouldn't take advantage of our friendship and do what I want; that I shouldn't tease you because I'm too old to do it. I mean, since when do I tease
Even though he didn't show it, Giovanni felt the weight of those words. He heard her voice so many times in his head that it sounded like a broken record.(...) I hate you.(...) I hate you.(...) I hate you...Three simple words cost him a whole pack of cigarettes and a few shots of scotch, which he took alone after leaving the restaurant. It wasn't enough to intoxicate him or make the feeling in his chest go away, but he feels a little more numb.He enters the quiet room and finds her lying on the bed wearing a short dress made of thin fabric that looks like a juicy apple to a hungry man. He's craving her. And a little taste is never enough. He wants her whole. All of her. Every part, every tiny inch… every golden hair is worth more to him than a bar of gold. That's why he's angry that she went to see another man today. Because the mere thought of her being interested in another man torments him.Eleonor looks away and focuses her eyes on the book she's reading. It's a fluffy romanc
Eleonor holds her breath. It's as if her lungs have forgotten how to breathe. Her heart beats so heavily and fast that it could rip her chest open and give itself totally to that man. She also feels her legs weaken, but thanks to Giovanni's embrace, she manages to aid herself. “Don't say that.” She whispers. “I don't want to believe you.” “Yes, you do.” Giovanni gives a weak smile. She closes her eyes, feeling butterflies fly in her stomach. “I really can't tell if you're bluffing right now…” “I'm not bluffing.” He slides his hand down her face slowly. “I meant every word.” “That's fucked up…” She shakes her head, ignoring the sensation his fingers cause on her skin as they slide to the back of her neck. “We…” “It doesn't matter.” He brushes his lips against hers. “I don't care about anything else.” He closes his eyes and kisses her quietly. And once again, she closes her eyes and gives her heart what it desires. She surrenders to the kiss, searching for his face. Giovanni slide
The sun seems to be shining brighter outside. Rays pass through the gaps in the curtains, which insist on heating the room. Even the birds sing cheerfully and seem happier.When Eleonor opens her eyes, she sees that she's lying on Giovanni's chest. Her legs are on his body, and their feet are intertwined in a cute and funny way. Her hand rests on his chest, which is slowly going up and down. She listens to his heartbeat, which can be heard in that almost silent morning.When Eleonor looks at the long eyelashes and the sleeping face, she feels her chest warm up with a comfortable fondness. She brings her hand to his face and caresses it gently — something she always wanted to do, but never admitted to herself. And apparently, the simple gesture has made Giovanni to wake up and slowly open his eyes. A faint smile dawns on his sleeping face as seeing her at the morning sight.“Good morning…” She says, smiling as well.Giovanni looks at her and realizes that they spent the night together
Eleonor goes to the beach to get away from her thoughts by dipping her feet in the sand and looking at the horizon, where the blue sky and the blue ocean blend together. She takes a deep breath and feels the sun on her skin. When she sees a kiosk, she walks up to it. She orders coconut water at the counter, wondering what to do for the rest of the day. Even though the weather is sunny, she doesn't feel excited enough to enjoy the beach like the other tourists, who seem happy with their vacation. She looks at the missed calls from her sister, which, until that moment, she hadn't the courage to return. There's so much she would like to tell her sister, but there seems to be more than oceans between them… It's as if their souls are disconnected. Eleonor used to think that the bond between them was strong. But now, it seems like a mirage that she's slowly starting to see through. She pays and thanks the attendant for the coconut water. Therefore, she goes to a wooden table with a big pa
Eleonor spent at least thirty minutes looking at her sister's social media. At the very least, Emily was able to keep her networks private. The fact that Giovanni had always been so close to the truth made her fear her own shadow. She thought her sister was pretending to be her, but no… her sister kept acting like a high society heiress. Honestly, Eleonor doesn't know how her husband hasn't found out yet. What if… he already knows it? Eleonor gets shivers just thinking about it, and she quickly pushes it away. If he knew, her head would have left the neck long ago. He wouldn't leave alive the woman who deceived him or the man who broke an agreement with him by sending the wrong daughter. That brings some comfort at the very least. If he doesn't know, it means there's still time. There's exactly six weeks until the news that Emily Evans is getting married travels around the world and reaches Giovanni's ears… which is suspicious to say the least, considering that he married Emily Evan
The party is being held at a five-star hotel. From the outside, it looks like a normal place, without much security and with wealthy people walking around. But as Eleonor and Lisette make their way through the lobby, they notice that there are security guards everywhere, disguised in suits that would cost the annual salaries of ordinary workers. She knows they're security guards because she has spent the last two years dealing with them. They're usually well-trained and discreet, blending easily into the crowd. People wouldn't be suspicious if they weren't paying close attention. “I can't believe I'm the one asking this, but…” Lisette looks around, worried. She follows Eleonor with quick steps, crossing the lobby. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Oh, certainly isn't a good idea. Giovanni specifically asked that they stay at the resort. He wants to keep her off the illicit business, and she's going directly to a place where the biggest dealers are gathering for who knows what. This
... For everyone who followed this far. Well… it's finally over. I don't really know how to feel. I'm happy and, at the same time, sad. I already miss Giovanni and Eleonor. It was my first book this big… and I really tried, I did my best to make it perfect, to make the ending satisfying. And looking back on those 240k+ words, those chapters, those four months of writing… It was all worth it, and I know I'll miss it. At least, I'm happy to have given a good ending to this couple that conquered me. And I hope they conquered you too. Giovanni and Eleonor almost created a life of their own. I left the script and let the flow go the way they would like, and I'm happy with the result. I hope that in the future, I can tell a little more about the stories of other remarkable characters. But this is about Eleonor and Giovanni, and the family they've created despite all the odds. And I like to want to thank you all very much. Each of you is precious to me, and I hope you enjoyed my book.
Giovanni is holding the handle of his weapon firmly, walking through the house with sneaky steps, looking around cautiously. Silence hangs over the room, and only the sound of his breathing can be heard. His hand is sweating, but he continues to move forward, with his eyes on the hallway ahead of him. He holds his breath and moves forward, throwing his body beyond the wall, aiming at the air — but there's no one there. However, he hears a noise behind him, and when he turns around, it's too late… He's being shot… By water. A thin giggle makes his face relax as he raises his hands in surrender, feeling a jet being shot again into his belly, “Oh, no… you hit Papà!” Giovanni lays his hand on his stomach, pretending to be hit by a delirious ache, as he sinks to his knees. The giggling increases, and the little girl throws herself into her father's arms, who catches her with extreme ease. “Are you okay, Papà?” She asks with a little smile. “Yeah! That wouldn't be enough to bring me
WARNING — ADULT CONTENT ㅤ ㅤ Eleonor stands on the balcony, looking out over the horizon, where the sky and the sea meet, making almost an infinite blue. The beauty of Cancun never fails to impress her, but right now, it seems more beautiful than ever. She feels firm arms surround her by the waist, from behind, leaning her back against a wall of muscle. The warmth of Giovanni's body spreads to her chest, so cozy that it makes her close her eyes. And the kiss he gives on the top of her blond hair makes her feel at home, even though they're geographically far from their house. Really, home is whatever Giovanni is. “What are you thinking?” He asks, murmuring between the blond strands, making her snuggle into his arms. “Just that we've been through a lot…” She says, still with her eyes closed. “Now that it's all at peace… it feels like a dream. And sometimes I'm afraid that it really is that, just a dream… and that any moment I'll wake up in a cold, lonely place, without you, without
When Eleonor saw the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore for the first time, she never imagined that four years later she would be getting married there.And in the bride's dressing room, she's looking in the mirror, admiring the dress that, this time, was her own choice. A gown that's tight to the body, with floral lace and delicate diamonds along the cloth, which trails along the floor in a long tail. Her hair is loose, with waves falling over her shoulders, with the sides pinned up with diamond-studded clips. The veil that comes off the back of her hair is also long and covers her bare arms and back. A comfortable dress that makes her feel like the most beautiful and beloved woman in the world.Knocks on the door catch her attention, and a painful sense of déjà vu comes over her, but then, when she sees Lisette entering with a bright smile, this feeling just disappears. The bride's eyes water, causing Lisette's beautiful brown eyes to get wet as well.“We can't cry yet… the makeup…” L
“What are you up to?” Eleonor asks with a chuckle, walking with difficulty, unsure of which direction her feet are going. This is because Giovanni has blindfolded her eyes with a black cloth, which leaves her without total vision. “I told you, it's a surprise…” Giovanni says softly, close to her ear, as he guides her along the path with his hand on her waist. This mere gesture causes a shiver to run up her spine. “Is it something naughty?” She asks with a mischievous smile, and his low laugh sends more shivers up her skin. “What do you think of me?” His hands grow firmer on her waist, and suddenly, they stop. Eleonor holds her breath because having one of her senses removed makes all the sensations even more intense. Giovanni's breathing so close to her neck makes a heat appear between her legs. Perhaps because being blindfolded also reminds her of when Giovanni came after her in America. Delicately, his hand undoes the noose and the blindfold falls to the ground. The image unfold
Eleonor is screaming at the top of her lungs, gripping the sheet tightly, throwing her head back. Sweat drips down her temples and wets her hair, which has returned to its natural color. Her golden strands are spread across the pillow, clinging to her face and body. The contractions started a few minutes ago and are getting stronger. She feels her belly twist, a pain that makes howls escape from deep in her throat, as if they were coming straight out of her soul. “That's it… keep pushing…” The nurse says, wiping Eleonor's sweaty forehead, who nods and pushes even harder. Her eyes' water… The pain is intense! She feels as if she's going to be turned inside out. But still, Eleonor keeps pushing… until she runs out of strength. Her spread legs tremble. No, her whole-body trembles. “You need to keep pushing, dear…” Eleonor cries, allowing sobs to escape through her lips. All she wants the most is to see Giovanni… She wants him there. “I can’t...” “Yes dear... You can do it; you ne
“Congratulations on the discharge, boss!” Marco says with a smile, but faced with Giovanni's serious expression, he shuts up, wilting his smile.“He's grumpy, don't mind that...” Lisette whispers to Marco, and they suppress their smile as they notice Giovanni's sharp eyes on them.“Would you two behave yourselves? We're about to start the meeting with the Marchetti.” Giovanni scolds seriously, with his arms crossed. Under his shirt, his wound is still bandaged.“Why? We're one big family now, aren't we?” Lisette gives a mischievous smile, which makes Giovanni's expression twitch in guilt.“You're going to make me miserable for the rest of my life, don't you?” Giovanni sighs remorsefully. “Honestly, I feel sorry for Thomas.... It won't be easy to share the same roof with a little devil.... Ouch!” He complains as he feels a punch from Lisette directly on his bruise, which makes him squirm. “Are you crazy? You want to open my fucking stitches?”“If you kept your mouth shut, that wouldn't
Fog.Giovanni is trapped in a dense curtain of fog, unable to see beyond his own bloodied hands…And even though his legs continue to walk through the dark vastness, the fog never seems to end. As if walking in circles, somehow, he always ends up in the same place.… Giovanni…Eleonor's sweet voice calls him, and he continues to search for her, feeling despair growing in his chest because, no matter how hard he runs, no matter how hard he tries, he's unable to reach her.(…) Where are you? Why didn't you come to me that day? You let me freeze… I almost died…Giovanni shakes his head, losing the strength in his legs, making him fall to his knees over what he notices to be a pond of blood… no, not a pond… He's sinking… his body is sinking in a red ocean. He opens his mouth and fills his lungs before his head is submerged.(…) You're killing me, Giovanni… You've killed me three times…He stretches out his hands, trying to reach the surface, but his body just sinks deeper and deeper into
Even at gunpoint, Gioacchino doesn't hesitate, as if he has nerves of steel. Maybe it's because this isn't the first time that such resentful eyes stared at him, ready to take his life. And of course, this won't be the last, either.“Let me ask you something…” Gioacchino puts a discreet smile on his lips, and his eyes twinkle fervently, “How did you manage to fool me? I, personally, chose the Wedding Celebrant…”“Three times what you offered, a new passport for his entire family and a new life on a paradisiacal island…. Who would deny it? Of course, not that he would be in a position to refuse with a gun pointed at his children.”Gioacchino laughs, suddenly proud. Indeed, he has raised Giovanni very well…“Since we're being honest… why don't you talk about how you killed my mother, Charlotte?” Giovanni asks between teeth, trying to hold the emotions that threaten to explode out of his body.“Oh, you know about that? I guess your little wife has a loose tongue.” Gioacchino shrugs. “Aft