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Cradles of Ghosts

Author: Casper Merci
last update Last Updated: 2025-04-25 19:28:24

The living room glowed with warm afternoon sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains. Balloons floated near the ceiling, and a banner that read “Happy 1st Birthday Matteo & Antonio” hung across the mantle in cheerful colors. Laughter filled the air, rich with love, tinged with the unspoken.

“Happy birthday to you,” sang Roosevelt in a melodic voice, her hands clapping in rhythm as her smile stretched wide and genuine.

“Happy birthday to you,” Aldo joined in, chuckling as he nudged Federico, who reluctantly joined, holding a party hat askew on his head.

Antonia’s voice wavered, but she smiled, singing softly as she carried little Antonio in her arms. The child giggled and tugged at her earrings with chubby fingers.

Alessandro, standing beside her, held Matteo with gentle ease. His eyes were locked on Antonia more than the cake, as if searching for the faintest shift in her expression. Her smile was beautiful—poised and photogenic—but he could see the cracks. She always wore it like
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  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Unspoken Scares

    The house had quieted.The twins were finally asleep, curled in opposite corners of the big bed they refused to leave tonight. Alessandro had tucked them in with exaggerated kisses and soft lullabies, while Antonia watched from the doorway—silently, always silently.Now the only sound came from the occasional rustle of the wind brushing against the window panes, and the slow ticking of the clock on the wall.Alessandro stepped into the bedroom they once shared with arms full of folded blankets. He paused in the doorway, seeing Antonia already seated on the bed, her back to him, her shoulders hunched slightly as though the weight of the day was only just catching up with her.He moved quietly, setting the blankets aside, and walked over to her. “Need anything?” he asked softly, unsure if the question was too much or not enough.She shook her head. “Just… a moment,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.He didn’t press. Instead, he sat beside her, close but not touching. The silence

    Last Updated : 2025-04-25
  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   The Offer

    The clock read past midnight, but neither Antonia nor Alessandro could sleep.They lay side by side, their breaths slow, the silence between them no longer sharp-edged with pain, but padded by the kind of exhaustion that only comes from speaking the truth aloud.Antonia turned slightly, her gaze drifting over to Alessandro’s profile—his brow relaxed now, his lips parted softly in the stillness of the room. Yet she knew his mind wasn’t resting. It never did. Not since Lucas.She reached out and lightly touched his forearm. “Are you awake?”He opened his eyes immediately. “Always, when it’s you.”There was no teasing in his voice—just an earnestness that made her heart ache.“I didn’t mean to spring that on you earlier,” she whispered. “About work. I know it must have felt sudden.”Alessandro turned onto his side to face her. His hand found hers beneath the covers, his fingers brushing against hers like he was scared he might lose her again.“No,” he said. “You were right to say it. I j

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  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Uncle Federico's Arrival

    The sun draped itself across the island like a golden shawl, lazily spilling into the villa's open windows. The sound of the ocean, distant and rhythmic, blended with the quiet laughter of two small boys chasing each other barefoot through the sand-covered patio.Antonia was in the kitchen, slicing mangoes and humming softly, while Alessandro stood at the open French doors, sipping from a glass of water and watching his sons with quiet affection. For a man who once lived for boardrooms and deadlines, these slow island mornings had become his sanctuary.Then came the sound of tires crunching over gravel.Alessandro squinted toward the front gate, his brow lifting. “We weren’t expecting anyone, were we?”Antonia shook her head, wiping her hands. “No… unless—”Before she could finish, a familiar voice rang through the stillness.“Don’t tell me my nephews have already forgotten their favorite uncle!”The twins’ heads snapped up. Matteo gasped. Antonio shrieked with joy.“UNCLE FEDERICO!!!

    Last Updated : 2025-04-25
  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   A visit to Nonno

    The sky was awash with a tender orange glow as the morning sun crept across the island, casting golden beams over the villa's whitewashed walls. Birds chirped like a lullaby in the distance, and the air smelled faintly of salt and hibiscus. It was the kind of morning that made everything feel gentle.In the heart of the villa, Antonia crouched beside a small suitcase, carefully folding Matteo’s favorite stuffed lion and Antonio’s striped beach towel into a small tote bag. She glanced at the boys, who were busy putting on their tiny sneakers—Antonio struggling with his left foot and Matteo pretending his sock was a puppet.“Do you think Nonno is going to be awake today?” Antonio asked as he leaned on the wall for balance.Antonia smiled softly. “Yes, baby. He’s feeling much better. We’re just going to visit and bring him some breakfast, okay?”Matteo popped up. “Can I give him my drawing? The one with the sun and the big house?”“You can give him anything you want,” Alessandro chimed i

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  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Beneath the Banyan tree

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  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Shadows Beneath the Sun

    The laughter of the twins still echoed through the banyan trees, harmonizing with the chirps of cicadas and the rhythmic crashing of waves nearby. Alessandro and Antonia lay side by side on the blanket, their sons nestled between them, the sun dipping lower into the horizon.For a moment, the world felt whole.But not far from the path, just behind a curtain of wild hibiscus and thick foliage, a figure stood watching. Unmoving. Eyes narrowed through the lenses of small binoculars, focused on the family with calculated interest.The man tapped a discreet earpiece and whispered, “They’re here. All of them. Together under the banyan tree.”There was a static pause, then a smooth voice replied on the other end. Calm, cool, almost indifferent.“Good. Just keep watching.”The man shifted slightly behind the bushes, the leaves rustling faintly under his boot. “They’re vulnerable now, Federico. There’s no security around. It’s the perfect time.”A sharp intake of breath came from the other en

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  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Ashes of the First Daughter

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  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Shattered of broken bloodlines

    The office was empty when Federico slipped inside.The walls, painted a cool shade of ivory, seemed to mock him with their sterile perfection.At the center of the room, gleaming under the soft light, was a grand oak desk — Alessandro’s desk.On it, a simple yet proud name tag sat:CEO — Amato Alessandro.Federico moved closer, his polished shoes silent against the marble floor.He stared at the nameplate for a long moment, his lips curling into a bitter smile.With a slow, deliberate movement, he turned the nameplate over, hiding the name beneath the polished brass back."Not for long," he whispered, his voice low, sharp as broken glass.Without invitation, he slid into Alessandro’s chair, leaning back, his fingers tracing the edges of the desk as if claiming it already.The room blurred around him.A memory, unbidden and unwanted, clawed its way to the surface of his mind.He was eight years old again, standing in the dim hallway of a cramped, rundown apartment.The thin walls did n

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Latest chapter

  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Homecoming secret

    The sun was just beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the sprawling Amato estate as the sleek black car pulled through the wrought-iron gates.The villa stood proudly at the top of the hill, its stone façade warm under the Italian sun, red and white flowers climbing up the pillars like a living welcome.Antonia leaned forward slightly in her seat, her heart swelling with a mixture of nerves and excitement.Home.After so long, they were finally home.As they rounded the circular driveway, a tall figure stepped out from the front steps.Federico.He was dressed impeccably, his dark hair slicked back neatly, a charming smile stretched across his face.Balloons and colorful banners flapped gently in the breeze, strung across the entrance that read: "Welcome Home!"The twins, Matteo and Antonio, squealed with excitement as the car came to a stop.Before Alessandro or Antonia could even undo their seatbelts, the twins flung the doors open and raced toward Federico."Uncle Federico!

  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   The road to new beginning

    The soft rumble of the Black SUV’s engine echoed in the quiet of the island morning.The air was crisp, filled with the briny scent of the sea and the faint sweetness of tropical flowers.Suitcases were already loaded into the back of the vehicle, and the twins were bouncing on their feet with restless excitement.Roosevelt wiped her eyes discreetly with the edge of her apron, standing beside her two daughters who clutched each other’s hands tightly.Goodbyes never got easier — not with people who had become part of the island’s heart and soul.Antonia crouched down, embracing Roosevelt warmly, her own throat tightening."Thank you," Antonia whispered. "For everything."Roosevelt gave a watery smile and brushed a strand of Antonia’s hair behind her ear, the way a mother might."Take care of yourself, dear. And those beautiful boys," she said, her voice thick with emotion."You’re family to us. Always."The twins ran to hug Roosevelt’s daughters, who knelt down to kiss the boys’ cheeks

  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   A bittersweet goodbye

    The hospital smelled of disinfectant and something faintly metallic.It wasn’t a place Antonia enjoyed visiting, but today, as she walked hand-in-hand with Alessandro and their two sons — Matteo and Antonio — she felt a complicated knot of emotions tighten in her chest.The boys chattered excitedly between them, their matching dark curls bouncing as they tugged Alessandro forward.Their small shoes squeaked against the polished floor, breaking the sterile silence of the hallway.Alessandro glanced down at his sons and then at Antonia, offering a small smile of encouragement.She squeezed his hand tightly, grateful for his presence.At the end of the hall, Antonia’s father’s room came into view.He was sitting up in bed, propped against white pillows, a faded but genuine smile lighting his weathered face the moment he saw them."My girl," he rasped, his voice roughened by both time and illness."And my grandsons.""Daddy," Antonia said softly, leading the boys inside as they raced to t

  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Warning in the winds

    The study was dimly lit, the rich scent of aged leather and parchment filling the room.The heavy rain outside drummed softly against the windows, a slow, rhythmic sound that usually soothed Alessandro.But tonight, it only seemed to thicken the air between him and Aldo.Aldo stood stiffly by the wide oak desk, his hands folded behind his back, tension carved deep into his features."I know I may sound like a fool," Aldo began, his voice low, almost hesitant, "but I've been hearing things. Whispers from the staff, subtle signs..."He hesitated, then forced himself to continue. "Federico has been meeting with some of the board members. In secret. Away from you."Alessandro, seated behind the massive desk, froze for a heartbeat.Then he lifted his head slowly, his dark eyes flashing with a sudden, sharp anger."Aldo," he said, his voice clipped, "choose your next words very carefully."Aldo swallowed, steadying himself against the weight of Alessandro's glare."I’m only telling you what

  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Shattered of broken bloodlines

    The office was empty when Federico slipped inside.The walls, painted a cool shade of ivory, seemed to mock him with their sterile perfection.At the center of the room, gleaming under the soft light, was a grand oak desk — Alessandro’s desk.On it, a simple yet proud name tag sat:CEO — Amato Alessandro.Federico moved closer, his polished shoes silent against the marble floor.He stared at the nameplate for a long moment, his lips curling into a bitter smile.With a slow, deliberate movement, he turned the nameplate over, hiding the name beneath the polished brass back."Not for long," he whispered, his voice low, sharp as broken glass.Without invitation, he slid into Alessandro’s chair, leaning back, his fingers tracing the edges of the desk as if claiming it already.The room blurred around him.A memory, unbidden and unwanted, clawed its way to the surface of his mind.He was eight years old again, standing in the dim hallway of a cramped, rundown apartment.The thin walls did n

  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Ashes of the First Daughter

    The rain fell in a steady rhythm over the Cortez estate that night. Soft, mournful, like the sky itself was grieving something lost long ago.Beatrice sat alone in her old bedroom, the one untouched by time. The satin walls were still lavender, her mother’s favorite color. Her childhood desk stood beneath the window, the corner chipped from the day she flung a silver picture frame across it. She could still remember the sound it made when it shattered—the day her world cracked apart with it.A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts, but she didn’t answer. The servant left a tray outside anyway.She stayed seated, her fingers gripping the edges of a photo album she hadn’t opened in years. Dust clung to its spine like it was afraid to let go.With trembling hands, she flipped it open.Her mother’s face stared back at her.Lucia Marín.Warm brown eyes, full of mischief and light. A smile that reached into the bones. Beatrice’s breath caught.She remembered the sound of her mother

  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Shadows Beneath the Sun

    The laughter of the twins still echoed through the banyan trees, harmonizing with the chirps of cicadas and the rhythmic crashing of waves nearby. Alessandro and Antonia lay side by side on the blanket, their sons nestled between them, the sun dipping lower into the horizon.For a moment, the world felt whole.But not far from the path, just behind a curtain of wild hibiscus and thick foliage, a figure stood watching. Unmoving. Eyes narrowed through the lenses of small binoculars, focused on the family with calculated interest.The man tapped a discreet earpiece and whispered, “They’re here. All of them. Together under the banyan tree.”There was a static pause, then a smooth voice replied on the other end. Calm, cool, almost indifferent.“Good. Just keep watching.”The man shifted slightly behind the bushes, the leaves rustling faintly under his boot. “They’re vulnerable now, Federico. There’s no security around. It’s the perfect time.”A sharp intake of breath came from the other en

  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   Beneath the Banyan tree

    The park stretched across the island like a secret meadow untouched by the outside world. Wildflowers danced in the gentle breeze, and sunlight poured through the swaying palms like melted gold. For the first time in a long time, Antonia felt something close to peace.Matteo and Antonio ran a few steps ahead, their laughter ringing like chimes through the warm air. Matteo, ever the more cautious one, stayed near the cobblestone path while Antonio chased a butterfly into the grass, his curly dark hair bouncing as he moved.“Antonio, not too far!” Antonia called gently, adjusting the brim of her straw hat.“I wanna catch it, Mama!” Antonio shouted, a grin stretched across his small face. “It’s blue like your dress!”Antonia glanced down at her dress, laughing softly. “Is it?”“I’m faster than the butterfly!” Antonio declared, arms outstretched as he stumbled, then righted himself.Alessandro chuckled beside her, hands in his pockets, watching their sons with something close to reverence

  • Secret Wife Of The Billionaire   A visit to Nonno

    The sky was awash with a tender orange glow as the morning sun crept across the island, casting golden beams over the villa's whitewashed walls. Birds chirped like a lullaby in the distance, and the air smelled faintly of salt and hibiscus. It was the kind of morning that made everything feel gentle.In the heart of the villa, Antonia crouched beside a small suitcase, carefully folding Matteo’s favorite stuffed lion and Antonio’s striped beach towel into a small tote bag. She glanced at the boys, who were busy putting on their tiny sneakers—Antonio struggling with his left foot and Matteo pretending his sock was a puppet.“Do you think Nonno is going to be awake today?” Antonio asked as he leaned on the wall for balance.Antonia smiled softly. “Yes, baby. He’s feeling much better. We’re just going to visit and bring him some breakfast, okay?”Matteo popped up. “Can I give him my drawing? The one with the sun and the big house?”“You can give him anything you want,” Alessandro chimed i

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