[ANASATSIA'S POINT OF VIEW]-Three Weeks Later-I could only cry as I washed the blood off my body. The more places my hand touched, the louder I sobbed from pain.My palms were bleeding from old and new wounds that were not treated, yet new ones were being added every day. Even though the water from the shower was warm, I shivered in a cold sweat as I thought about how many times my palms had been cut, how many times he had used the leather whip on my skin—it was supposed to be a source of pleasure, but every time he did, I only felt pain—and how many times I had bled during sex—perhaps something had broken inside of me, but he did not seem to care. He remained indifferent.Everywhere in my body hurt to the point where I felt like dying; I wanted to die because I felt like my body wouldn't be able to take it anymore.He was inhumane, and he had proven it, but if he wanted me to fight or flee, I wasn't going to do it, no matter how much it hurt. Once I stepped out of the shower, I d
]ANASATSIA'S POINT OF VIEW]Five days later, my injuries were healing properly, and no new ones had been inflicted yet.I smiled and bit into my apple, rethinking how caring Enzo had been. Given how much pain he had caused me over the previous few weeks, I knew I was being foolish, but I also knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to return. And the single act of caring made my heart swell with warmth.When I heard the door open, I reeled my head to the door, and the smile on my face faded as Rue walked in. I averted my gaze as I continued biting into my apple. "What brings you here, Rue?" I inquired casually. "If you have come to find out if I am dead, I am sorry to disappoint." I shifted my gaze to her. She was now standing at the foot of the bed. If looks could kill, I would have been dead the moment she ambled into the room."You think you’ve won?"I shrugged. "If you consider this a fight, I think I have won. But we all know you've already lost even before I came, s
(RUE'S POINT OF VIEW)At the age of 17, I witnessed the most brutal and inhumane deaths of my parents. They also watched as I was sexually assaulted by seven different men, after which I watched as their bodies burned.I was prepared to burn alongside them as I lay there covered in blood, sweat, and tears but he showed up with his men.He saved me and gave me hope for the future, and with him by my side and holding my hand, I worked harder and healed faster, but I also fell in love, which he dismissed as an obsession.I scoffed at the thought. Perhaps he was right, or perhaps he was wrong. Was it wrong to desire someone so intensely that you were willing to destroy everything and everyone to have them? I wanted him that badly, but he never gave me the same glance. To him, I was just a helpless girl he saved from being burned alive with her parents’ corpsesHowever, nobody was interested in my story or curious about how I managed to survive or how I suffered. It was as if my story had
(ANASTASIA'S POINT OF VIEW)The significant improvement in recent days has been so unsettling that I was unsure of what to expect from Enzo.He didn't hurt me, and every injury on my body had healed. I should be relieved, but I wasn't, as I rarely see Enzo nowadays. I always get checked on by a doctor, and I hadn't stepped out of the room, which I didn't want to but as for Enzo, I didn't know anymore.I could not read him no matter how hard I tried. I believe he was preoccupied with running the empire, but what about me?!Even with the pain, I liked that he was paying attention to me, but he didn't do that anymore. I did not miss the pain, but I did miss him.It was the seventh day of not seeing Enzo. I walked from one corner of the room to the other, keeping my mind occupied with books brought in by the maids, but my thoughts wandered far as I wondered what he was doing.Has he found a replacement for me? The idea made me shake my head, and I slammed the book I was reading shut. He
[KHIONE’S POINT OF VIEW]It had been months since I finally rid myself of the Mezzesalmas, and life was once more colorful. I did, however, occasionally stay in touch with Enzo.I work in an elementary school now, and the kids have been a significant boost to putting my life back together. The experience was great, and I didn't want it to end.“Are you ready to leave?” When I turned my head in response to the voice, I saw Charlie poking his head through my classroom door. The principal I met months ago at the twins’ play had been the friend I never had, though he wanted more, and I didn't think I would ever be ready for a relationship in this lifetime. I'd had enough drama to believe things would work out if I were with someone else.Fate was twisted.How could I ever look at another man when only one man had ever crossed my mind and held my heart? I immediately shook my head. If I wanted to let go of the past, I had to stop thinking about it.I smiled at him. “Yes, I'm ready to lea
(KHIONE'S POINT OF VIEW)I thought Giovanni had gotten the hint and was gone for good, but I was dead wrong, and I wish I had been prepared when the idiot showed up at my place of work.Being invited to the principal's office, I thought I'd done something wrong, only to find Giovanni there. I paused, and my eyes turned into a glare."What are you doing here?" I exploded. Giovanni flashed me a grin. "Judging by your expression, I believe you know this man." The principal wore an unimpressed expression. "He insisted on not leaving till he saw you, and that has been like an hour ago; please get him out.""Yes, sir." I turned to Giovanni, grabbed his wrist, and yanked him to his feet. "Let's go."We left the office, and I didn't stop dragging him by the wrist till I found an empty classroom and shoved him in, shutting the door behind me before turning to him with a sharper glare. "What the fuck were you thinking? I could lose my bloody job!""I'm sorry, but I needed to see you." He respo
[ANASTASIA’S POINT OF VIEW]The most effective way to control a man is to make him believe that he was using you.Rue kidnapped me, knocked me out, and now I was tied to a pillar. She got me because I let her. She grinned at me as she stood in front of me, and I gave her the same vaporous look in return.“I can't wait to peel off your skin.” She winked at me, and I rolled my eyes. Her gaze fell to her watch. "Godfather Gattani will arrive in a few minutes; as soon as I receive the go-ahead, I will begin with that face of yours."I tsked, tilting my head and scanning her from head to toe before looking her in the eyes. "How does it feel to be a pawn, knowing you will eventually lose everything? I heard he asked you to get rid of Miranda; what makes you think you will not be next on his list when this is all over?" She reached out and grabbed my hair firmly, bringing her face closer to mine, her eyes red with rage. "You know nothing, so why don't you shut up before I kill you sooner th
(ANASTASIA'S POINT OF VIEW)I stared as the smirk on Godfather Gattani's face deliberately subsided and gushing from his mouth was blood gradually, he lowered to his knees before falling to the ground with his blood coupling around him.I jerked up my head, meeting the malignant eyes of Enzo as he clenched his gun so tightly I could see the veins on his wrist and forehead."Enzo," I called softly, snapping him out of it.He let the gun plunge from his hand and rushed over to me, cupping my face and for the first time, I was able to graze terror in his eyes and expression. "I wasn't fast enough, I'm so sorry, doll." His voice lurched.At that moment, I shirked I was punctured on the shoulder as the pain somehow seemed to cease. I cracked a full smile. "I'm fine, It's not that deep.""Fuck." He exhaled, seating his forehead on mine and I took the opportunity to inhale his alleviating scent. It was intoxicating. "My own death does not frighten me but yours? That's my greatest and deepest