Outside, the moon shines brightly. In the silent dawn, Eleonor is locked in the bathroom, staring at the floor with her foggy mind. Her thoughts go back and forth in Giovanni's sentence, who called his own blood filthy.No one deserves to live in this shadow world. That's the truth. No child deserves to carry this filthy blood… Eleonor used to think the same about herself. For a long time, she considered herself a curse. The idea of passing on her blood was the same as handing an innocent child pain that she never wished for anyone. But at some point, that perception changed. She no longer sees herself as unworthy… as a burden to her family or this shit world.Somehow, it saddens her that Giovanni thinks that way of himself. Now, Eleonor understands that the always confident and arrogant posture he always maintains is a shield… a way to protect himself. It couldn't have been easy growing up knowing that his birth was a sin… That his father saw him as a soldier. And being born in a cr
Lisette is looking at the test in her hands — the proof that Eleonor is pregnant. It's been a few long seconds since Eleonor told that her discomfort was really due to an unexpected pregnancy. But the shock was such that Lisette was unable to say a single word.Eleonor is sitting on the balcony, and although her gaze is on the horizon, she isn't looking at any specific point. After she saw the test result, her mind had been empty and floating. Fortunately, Giovanni left early in the morning and still hasn't returned, which gives Eleonor time to reorganize her thoughts. Or at least try.“How long has it been?” Lisette finally asks, looking up from the test and landing on Eleonor's slight figure.“I'm not sure. At least six weeks, since I haven't had my period in that time…” Eleonor sighs, slumping her shoulders.“That's…” Lisette is hesitating. “Have you told Giovanni yet?”Eleonor looks at her friend, and her expression says enough. Of course she didn't. How could she? Eleonor is so s
Giovanni is sitting at the same table as last time, away from the windows and other customers in the coffee shop. However, unlike that day, he's not too pale or with deep circles under his eyes.His hair is slicked back, and his beard is clean. His shirt isn't even creased. Giovanni's appearance is impeccable, as it should be. There's even a serenity in his face because everything seems to be going so well lately. He feels closer to Eleonor… and when this all over, he'll finally walk her down the aisle — and this time, he'll say his own vows. Honestly, the anxiety of wanting to see her in a wedding dress is almost taking over him… Giovanni even considered killing them all at once. Problems would be solved more easily that way.“You look well this time.” Thomas says, standing next to the table. His eyes are wrapped on the smiling figure. Yes, Giovanni Reviello is grinning like an idiot. And Thomas can't help but be impressed by how even a Reviello can look like a fool in love. “I take
Eleonor is looking at the wedding dresses displayed in the window of the most luxurious boutique in the city, perhaps the best in the state. There are several types. Fluffy and dropped or simply off-shoulder sleeves; rounded, straight or heart-shaped necklines. Puffed skirts with fabrics that drag on the floor. Champagne color, snow-white. There's an infinity of dresses… one more beautiful and stunning than the other. But of course, she's not there to choose what Emily will wear on the most waiting day of the year… After all, Emily will be wearing Mrs. Henderson’s — which she will adjust right now.The dress had to be fitted to Emily's body, which is quite skinny for it. Emily doesn't have a curvy body like Eleonor's. Emily's breasts are small, and her thighs are thin. Her supermodel bearing has always caused Eleonor a certain envy… especially when her sister made a point of pointing out her body 'defects'.Emily said that Eleonor would gain more weight and not fit into her clothes wh
Eleonor is lying on the beach chair, feeling the sun warm her skin. She's been so busy these past few days, trapped between four and many other walls, that she's getting paler and paler. Suddenly, she even misses Cancun, the delicious sea breeze, and the tan on her skin. It's hard not to feel nostalgic when she thinks about everything she's been through. Yes, it was a difficult period in her life… it was painful, and it forced her to open her eyes, let go of the comfortable excuses and face reality, but at the same time… She grew up, matured, and became someone she finally loved and is proud to be. Even though she has said that she doesn't like the person she's becoming because of Giovanni, that's not the case anymore. The truth is that Eleonor was afraid of change and forgetting about herself, not knowing that she never knew who she was from the beginning — much less who she was supposed to be. Now, Eleonor knows what she needs to be… a mother. Of course, the idea still scares he
Giovanni is looking intently at the list of names that Thomas got faster than he expected, with a lit cigarette between his fingers. To his surprise, the list is longer than he would like. There are some names that even used to be partners with Reviello.The situation is more complicated than he could have anticipated…He sighs and relaxes back in the chair, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. Giovanni's fingers pinch the bridge of his nose and massage it, trying to ease the sharp pain that suddenly hit him. And along with it, a strange feeling crept over his chest… as if an ill omen were lurking in the shadows of the office.Giovanni sighs loudly and takes a deep drag on his cigarette.Two knocks on the door get his attention and interrupt his frantic thoughts, but Giovanni doesn't bother to look at the door; he just opens his eyes and keeps them glued to the ceiling. As he mutters some loud confirmation — the door finally opens.Asher walks into the room, and the crack of th
Smoke escapes Giovanni's parted lips… He cannot believe what he just heard.“Could you repeat?” Giovanni asks, blinking frantically to stop the sting in the hazel eyes, which are already tired from so much work. How many hours has been staring at these papers, racking his brains out, looking for an explanation that isn't good enough? The clock shows nine, but Giovanni can't force his mind to count… There's so much alcohol and nicotine in his system that maybe it's time to call it a day.“Emily Evans is requesting a meeting with you.” Marco repeats the same words, hoping not to show his displeasure. Though he doesn't know everything they've done to Eleonor, what he does know is enough to make him hate the Evans… and consequently Emily. The first impression wasn't good either, and he doesn't make a point of correcting that. “Domenico is serving her tea in the main room.”“Are you sure? Is she not here to see her sister?”“No, she specifically asked for her brother-in-law.” Marco practic
“Even if you say all that… I still feel guilty and feel that I wronged you…” In a meek voice, Emily bats her eyelashes a few times. Leaning her body, she brings her hand subtly to him, brushing her fingertips against his pants. “Are you sorry for sending your sister to marry in your place?” Giovanni asks in a firm voice, looking down at her. “It wasn't me who sent my sister to marry in my place… she did it because she got you wrong too… and she didn't want me to be unhappy.” Emily's green eyes water, but all those fake tears can do is repulse Giovanni. “I was willing to marry you, but she… Eleonor insisted on marrying you instead.” “It's that so? Huh…” Giovanni mutters in the back of his throat. “It was never my intention to push my fate on my dear sister, but…she worries too much. I couldn't say anything when she looked so willing to sacrifice herself for me…” Emily continues to talk, trying so hard to sound fragile and force Giovanni to feel sorry for her… He can't help but find